Book: "John James Audubon The Watercolors for The Birds of America" Edited by Blaugrund and Stebbins

Books : Americana : Natural History : John James Audubon : Birds Watercolors

 

We proudly offer this gorgeous hardcover book for anyone who appreciates one of America's foremost and historically important natural history artists -- John James Audubon. This masterpiece was published by the New York Historical Society as an accompaniment for a traveling exhibition of Audubon's works that was being undertaken throughout the United States. It was intended to be a reference book without being overly formal or stuffy. It originally sold for $75.00.

This book is in PRISTINE condition -- utterly amazing for a "used" book.There is NO DAMAGE ANYWHERE, other than a light stain at the top on the front of its dust jacket (which is not terribly evident because it "blends" with the picture behind it). It could be new on the shelf except it does not "crack" when opened.

This book is a huge 13-1/2 inches tall, 10-1/2 inches wide and 1-1/2 inches thick, with 383 pages, weighing approximately 7 pounds -- large even for a "coffee table" book. Copyrighted in 1983 by the New York Historical Society, it was published in 1997 by Barnes & Noble Books. Its ISBN number is 0-76070-666-2 .

We purchased this at an estate auction. Its prior owner must have cherished it because it has been gently read in the extreme. Even the dustjacket has no tears. I felt guilty spreading it open for photographs!

According to the text: "Acquired in 1863 from Audubon's widow, all of the original watercolors for Audubon's masterpiece, in addition to other little-known and never-before-published outstanding pieces, have been selected from The New York Historical Society's extensive collection. Recently conserved and newly photographed with painstaking care, these rarely seen works are reproduced here to reveal the original, brilliant colors."

Text contributed by some of the foremost art historians, conservators and Audubon scholars in the U.S.A. round out the dozens of breathtakingly beautiful, full-page prints from the first 300 pages. Approximately 350 more Audubon watercolors (printed 4 or 6 to a page) appear on the next 62 pages.

We have shown just a few examples of the wonderful paintings along with text to give you an idea of what the book is like. It would be a wonderful addition to the library of anyone interested in birds and plant life, or for someone who enjoys American art or scientific history.

Item ID: 2009-00174