The Birds of America
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Book Overview
The celebrated and highly valued natural history classic, now fully reproduced for the 1st time with an introduction by world-renowned ornithologist David Allen Sibley Featuring 435 stunning images of Audubon's original watercolors, this is the perfect addition to any bird lover's library First published in installments between 1827 and 1838, John James Audubon's treasured collection of life-sized watercolors of North American birds is the standard against which all wildlife illustration is measured. With fewer than 120 surviving copies in museums and private collections, this volume was created in conjunction with the Natural History Museum in London which disbound 1 of their 2 original editions in the process for the first time. This stunning nearly 500 page, 8x12 reissue contains: 435 exquisite reproductions of hand-colored prints of the original watercolorsDetailed descriptions of American birds and their natural habitats, organized alphabetically from the avocet grazing in a tidal pond to the zenaida dove perched on a flowering branchExpertly researched by an avid outdoorsman and explorer, the stunning illustrations are based on Audubon's specimen collections from Florida to Labrador to Texas and the Dakotas
Straddling the line between science and art, this book mesmerized 19th-century audiences around the world. Today it stands as a reminder of the spectacular biodiversity of the North American continent, and of the pioneer spirit that Audubon himself revered.
Straddling the line between science and art, this book mesmerized 19th-century audiences around the world. Today it stands as a reminder of the spectacular biodiversity of the North American continent, and of the pioneer spirit that Audubon himself revered.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:3791379143
ISBN13:9783791379142
Release Date:October 2021
Publisher:Prestel Publishing
Length:448 Pages
Weight:5.55 lbs.
Dimensions:1.8" x 8.8" x 12.8"
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
Beautiful book of birds
Published by KellyJane , 3 months ago
A beautiful book, arrived in great condition, stocked full of gorgeous large (8x10) size illustrations of birds in full color. I ordered this book to use some pages in wall art and was able to create several framed vintage bird art in various size frames matted to 8x10. Each page has text on left page and image on right, allowing me to cut only the pages I planned to use, without wasting any of the other illustrations. So full of birds it still served as a wonderful book to flip through even after removing 15 pages. Highly recommend!!!
Yes, Size Really Does Matter
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
For the grump who gave this book a one-star rating (it deserves a six-star rating!), the dimensions of this oversized book are 10 1/2 X 14 1/2 inches.Drool over the watercolours and then imagine the work that went into creating them. All yours for a fraction of the cost of the originals. A steal!
J.J. Audubon's Birds of America
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
This book contains the complete collection of the 435 illustrations from Audubon's famous Havell edition "Double Elephant Folio" of "Birds of America." It took 12 years, from 1826 to 1838, for Robert Havell, a 19th century London engraver, working from Audubon's detailed watercolors, to finish the project, and when it was done, the collection of 435 engravings was sold to subscribers. Today the Havell engravings are worth small fortunes individually, and it is the lucky museum or library that can boast of having a complete, original portfolio. But here in this single book, Audubon's beautiful, powerful, and extraordinarily detailed paintings can be seen by anyone interested in natural history, American romantic painting, ornithology, bird watching, etc. Audubon is one of America's most important artists and naturalists, and this book is an excellent way to get better acquainted with John James Audubon's masterpiece, "Birds of America."
The Birds Of America Mentions in Our Blog
Audubon's America
Published by Phillip Caprara • May 19, 2022
When John James Audubon completed his monumental work, The Birds of America, in 1838 every species he had depicted was still thought to be extant. In this regard, The Birds of America is critical for displaying the ornithological biodiversity during Audubon’s time. Yet during his research ventures, Audubon noticed that some species were, or had become, uncommon over a relatively short period. In honor of Endangered Species Day, let’s take a look at some of the birds of Audubon’s America, both those no longer with us, and those saved by the hard work of dedicated conservationists around the world.
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