In addition, we offer some prints by other early american bird artists such as mark catesby, alexander wilson, and john cassin. Audubon and his journals, volume i by john james audubon, maria r. Printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesize watercolors of north. John james audubon s most popular book is birds of america. Audubon vividly captures the remarkable life of john james audubon. Some of these paintings had to be completed by audubons son, john woodhouse audubon, because his father was losing his vision and becoming senile. John james audubon came to america as a dapper eighteenyearold eager to. Complete works of audubon birds of america 75th anniversary ed vol iii leather.
The historic house where john lived perches over the perkiomen creek, and visitors can walk in his footsteps on more than five miles of trail. Make offer vtg 1937 the birds of america john james audubon book 1st ed. If there was ever a book to put a man on the map, john james audubons the birds of america is it. The watermarks of the first ten images identify this copy as one of the first audubon received a. John james audubon 17851851 was not the first person to attempt to paint and describe all the birds of america, but for half a century he was the young countrys dominant wildlife artist. Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time. Lucy bakewell audubon was a determined figure who became the primary breadwinner for her familywhich included her notyetfamous husbandand pulled them through financially desperate times. Audubon, john james john james audubon, detail of a portrait by his sons john and victor, late 1840s. From the original double elephant folio by john james audubon. Books by john james audubon author of birds of america. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. Richard rhodes is the author or editor of 22 books, including the twilight of. Jeanjacques audubon ou john james audubon aux etatsunis, ne le 26 avril 1785 aux cayes saintdomingue et mort le 27 janvier 1851 a new york, est.
His major work, a colorplate book entitled the birds of america 18271839, is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed. Courtesy of the american museum of natural history, new york. The birds of america is a book by naturalist and painter john james audubon, containing illustrations of a wide variety of birds of the united states. Buy a cheap copy of john james audubon book by richard rhodes. The book contained 150 images of various mammals such as badgers, rabbits, cougars and foxes. Early life and move to france john james audubon was born in saint dominigue now haiti on april 26, 1785. As the book was laid out and opened, i realized that i was not at all. An early subscribers copy of john james audubons double elephant folio incomparably the most important and most beautiful colorplate book ever published. Founded in 1997, has become a leading book price comparison site. John james audubon was an american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. Surely everyone knows who john james audubon is innovative painter, frenchman turned american, pioneer explorer, doting but often absent husband. The birds of america, from drawings made in the united states and their territories by audubon, john james 17851851 and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A story of john james audubon outstanding science trade books for students k12.
The fantastic beasts of john james audubons littleknown book on mammals. Knowing audubon s reputation, grinnell chose his name as the inspiration for the organizations earliest. His seminal birds of america, a collection of 435 lifesize prints, quickly eclipsed wilsons work and is still a standard against which twentieth and twentyfirstcentury bird artists are measured. Spine creases, wear to binding and pages from reading. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds. The new audubon center museum features immersive exhibits about birds and artistnaturalist john james audubon. The original watercolor paintings by john james audubon for the birds of america. George bird grinnell, one of the founders of the early audubon society in the late 1800s, was tutored by lucy audubon, john james s widow. John james audubon audubon, john james, 17851851 the. Hosting the films world premiere at the 2015 environmental film festival in the nations capital allowed us to honor audubon and his significance as an artist and conservationist.
Our stock of the octavo or small audubon prints is one of the largest in the country. John james audubon audubon, john james, 17851851 an online book about this author is available, as is a wikipedia article audubon, john james, 17851851. He was notable for his extensive studies documenting all types of american birds and for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their natural habitats. Born in haiti in 1785, he spent much of his life travelling north america observing, catching and drawing birds and animals in remarkable detail.
Discover book depositorys huge selection of john james audubon books online. As the record of the interior story of the making of this. Although audubon had no role in the organization that bears his name, there is a connection. This book is the complete collection of the gorgeous work of john james audubon, all 435 plates of his original workand no there are no missing or out of order plates, the people who reprinted this book are not complete idiots. Birds of america framedependent illustrated html at audubon, john james, 17851851. Our mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of. He had a talent for drawing and an interest in birds, and he would spend the next thirtyfive years traveling to the remotest regions of his new countryoften alone and on footto render his avian subjects on paper. John james audubons ivorybilled woodpecker from his birds of america book. John james audubon, an early american naturalist and painter, produced one of the greatest works of natural history and art of the nineteenth century, the birds of america.
How audubons birds of america changed natural history duration. Rare john james audubon prints up for auction at arader galleries. Looking on with amusement from the deck was whitehaired john james audubon, one day shy of 58. Audubon created a genre of illustration that didnt exist before. See all books authored by john james audubon, including the birds of america, and the art of audubon. John james audubon drawn from nature american masters. John james audubon books list of books by author john. The portraits, when bound, became some of the biggest books ever madeand to. Birds of america by john james audubon, hardcover barnes.
John james audubon biography life, family, children. The culmination of over twelve years of work, audubon s masterpiece features some of the most stunning bird paintings of all time, from the great crested flycatcher and pin tailed duck to the common american swan. John james audubon has 173 books on goodreads with 1944 ratings. The birds of america, from original drawings 4 volumes. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubons work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. John james audubons most popular book is birds of america.
He was the son of jean audubon, a french adventurer, and mademoiselle rabin, about whom little is known except that she was a creole and died soon after her sons birth. As the book was laid out and opened, i realized that i was not at all prepared for its profound beauty. Possible ex library copy, will have the markings and stickers associated from the library. John james audubon s birds of america is a portal into the natural world. Printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesize watercolors of north american birds havell edition, all reproduced from handengraved plates, and is considered to be the archetype of wildlife illustration. On friday, audubons masterpiece of ornithological illustration goes up for auction and its set to be the most expensive book ever sold.
He had a talent for drawing and an interest in birds, and he would spend. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. He spent years trying to make ends meet as a businessman in the booming frontier towns of 19thcentury america. The birds of america by john james audubon in pictures books. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month. Johnjames audubon audubon, johnjames used books, rare books and new books. Guide to collecting john james audubon prints skinner inc. His handcolored masterpiece, the birds of america, is. And surely richard rhodes is one of those authors who needs no introduction.
Audubon, elliott coues and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The large format books may be bulky on a coffee table, but a smaller format just doesnt do justice to these beautiful paintings. The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. John james audubon, ornithologist, artist, and naturalist who became particularly well known for his drawings and paintings of north american birds. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. Our selection of books on request by or about audubon is the most complete available. The birds of america was a monumental work by an artist and naturalist obsessed with his work. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. John james audubon was an american ornithologist, naturalist and artist known for his studies and detailed illustrations of north american birds. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. Nearly 200 years later, the audubon prints are coming. The john james audubon center at mill grove is exciting destination for visitors of all ages. The fantastic beasts of john james audubons littleknown. The book so big it needed its own furniture mental floss.
John james audubon passed away in 1851, when he was 65. John james audubon dreamed of creating lifesized portraits of every species of bird in north america. May contain limited notes, underlining or highlighting that does affect the text. By 1824 he had begun to consider publication of his bird drawings, but he was advised to seek a publisher in europe, where he would find better engravers and greater interest in. John james audubon 1785 1851 was an american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. Prior to its publication, audubon struggled for recognition as a naturalist and artist. Reproduced in color for the first time from the collection at the newyork historical society. In suppport of john james audubons artistic talents, she became a teacher and even founded a school at a time when women rarely earned wages. An employee poses with a page depicting a snowy owl, from john james audubons book birds of america during a photocall for the frederick, 2nd.
A complete first edition set of john james audubons gloriously illustrated the birds of america 18271838 goes up for auction june 14. Often cited as the most expensive book of all time, there are still 120 known intact copies of john. Watch a behindthescenes look at one of the public library of cincinnati and hamilton countys rarest books, the famed birds of america by naturalist. The works of art he created gave the world its idea of america. John james audubon has 175 books on goodreads with 1946 ratings. He had a talent for drawing and an interest in birds, and he would spend the next thirtyfive years traveling to the remotest regions of his new countryoften.