An error has occurred while processing this page. The site administrator has been notified. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Lot 154
Description:
* John James Audubon (American, 1785-1851), The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, 1839-1844, Imperial Folio (27 in. x 21 in.), 3 volumes, Philadelphia, with 150 hand-colored lithographed plates by J.J. Audubon and J.W. Audubon, backgrounds after Victor Audubon, lithography by J.T. Bowen, Volume 1 bound in publisher's brown half morocco over brown ribbed cloth, Volumes II and III bound in publisher's half black morocco over purple ribbed cloth, yellow-coated endpapers, gilt-lettered spines.
- Provenance: Provenance : Each volume with the engraved armorial bookplate of Edward Sands Litchfield (1891-1984) on the front paste-down. Note: Called "The largest successful color plate book project of 19th-century America" (Reese), Audubon's enthusiasm at the start of the project was unbridled. Around 1840 he wrote to his collaborator, the Rev. James Bachman, "I am growing old, but what of this? My spirits are as enthusiastical as ever, my legs full able to carry my body for ten years to come, and in about t o of these I expect the illustrations out, and ere the following twelve months have elapsed, their histories studied, their descriptions carefully prepared and the book printed! Only think of the quadrupeds of America being presented to the World of Science by Audubon and Bachman" (Streshinsky, Audubon, p. 331). The artist managed to complete seventy-seven drawings before failing health kept him from his work. The remainder were completed by his younger son, John Woodhouse Audubon. The dauntingly massive enterprise was a commercial success, owing chiefly to Audubon's elder son Victor's careful management. Before Audubon's death in 1851, his sons succeeded in soliciting some three hundred subscriptions for the work. A bright and brilliantly colored set of Audubon's magnificent final work, The Viviparous Quadrupeds... References: Litchfield 28; McGill/Wood 208; Nissen ZBI 162; Reese American Color Plate Books 36; Sabin 2367
Shipping Options
Accepted Forms of Payment:
June 25, 2011 10:00 AM CDT
New Orleans, LA, US
Neal Auction Company
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 0% and any applicable taxes and shipping.