"The Birds of America" Fifth Octavo Edition Complete Set by J.J. Audubon

Item Details

A complete seven volume set of The Birds of America, From Drawings Made In The United States and Their Territories by J.J Audubon, re-issued by J.W. Audubon and the fifth Octavo edition. Published by Roe Lockwood & Son in New York, 1861, with the plates first published beginning in 1839. A collection of 500 hand colored or tinted plates, with additional pages of text. The seven volumes are bound in dark brown full blind-stamped morocco leather with five raised bands on the spine. The lettering on the spine and all text edges are gilt. A sewn-in bookmark is found in each volume.

These impressive volumes are heavily illustrated with lithographic plates that are tissue-guarded. The plates, drawn from nature by John James Audubon, were printed and hand colored by J.T. Bowen.

The Birds of America was among the most commercially successful book plate subscription printing of the 19th century. First published by J.T. Bowen in 1840, Audubon’s work was repeatedly published in many successive forms, with the Octavo editions being the most inexpensive and popular. The Bien edition was the final and mostly costly project, beginning in 1858 and lasting until 1860, and given the size of the chromolithographs and lack of subscriptions, was ill fated.

Condition

Shelf wear consistent with age and usage. Slight scuff marks to the leather and foxing are evident.

Dimensions

approximate lot size

Item #

16CIN503-221