Havell engraved all but the first 10 plates of audubons birds of america, which was first published in 10 large volumes in 1840. Artist robert casilla showcases his fine art paintings and his paintings done for childrens books. Audubons great work was called the double elephant folio, the birds of america or the havell edition. This publication catalogues 60 artist proofs, owned by the havell family, and reproduces the lions share of them, all for the first time ever. Audubon house gallery of natural history search for. Plate 10 brown lark, from the havell edition by audubon. Audubon, engraved, printed and colored by robert havell, 1836.
The drawings for the harlequin ducks were done by audubon and his son, john woodhouse, near eastport, maine. Audubon often depicts smaller birds, like these yellow louisiana tanagers. His father, robert senior, ran a print shop in london. In october 1971, employing the most faithful printing method available, the best materials and the ablest craftsmen of their age, the amsterdam firm of theatrum orbis terrarum ltd. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. When john james audubon, trying to launch his projected birds of america, was having problems with the edinburgh engraving firm of william lizars, he came to london to look for a new engraver and printer for his book. Learn how to identify antique audubon prints rareprints. His book illustrations and paintings are available for purchase. The book so big it needed its own furniture mental floss. Havell solved this by creating a working proof or pattern print for each plate. The amsterdam edition is a facsimile of a set of havell edition birds of america in the collection of teylers museum in haarlem produced using the technique of offset lithography.
A miniature edition of both the birds of america and the viviparous quadrupeds of north america was printed on royal octavo sized paper. The name double elephant was a printers term regarding the size of the paper. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838. The book was first published as a series between 1827 and 1838 with the intent to document every known bird. There is an excellent book on the first edition called audubons great national work. 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. See more ideas about john james audubon, birds of america and audubon birds. The birds of america is considered the finest book to ever be produced. Original audubon havell edition prints, birds of america. Named for engraver robert havell, the edition was produced in. Whatman turkey mill paper with watermarks dated 18271838 see appendix b for watermarks on the. These are copper plate engravings 435 plates printed on high. Today the work is known as the havell edition of birds of america.
Labor problems forced lizars to resign from the project, and audubon then began his association with robert havell. Havell edition the double elephant folio by jj audubon. It is out of print but can sometimes be found in used book stores. Limited edition prints are also available for purchase.
Havell edition audubon house gallery of natural history. Since he portrayed each bird life size, the larger birds often had to be drawn in unusual positions to fit on the largest copper engraving plates then available, approximately 27 x 39 inches. Growing up in great britain, havell developed his skills as an aquatint artist under the. Bird art john james audubon, birds of america, bird prints. Each robert havell art print is produced using archival inks, ships within 48 hours, and comes with a 30day money back guarantee. Lizars, agreed to produce the very first plates for the book. Lizars engraved up to ten of the first plates but was unable to continue the project when.
Apr 8, 2019 blackbilled cuckoo from birds of america 1827 by john james audubon 1785 1851, etched by robert havell 1793 1878. Price guide havell edition audubon print prices, audubon. Audubons renditions of north american bird species are some of the most celebrated depictions of. The city became his base of operations for the series of bird drawings and watercolors he was preparing for publication. These prints were engraved and handcolored chiefly by robert havell in 87 numbers of five plates each. Shop for framed art print louisiana heron, from birds of america, engraved by robert havell, 1834 by john james audubon 25 x 22inch.
Hooping crane from birds of america by john james audubon etched by robert havell the original birds of america is the most expensive printed book in the world and a truly aweinspiring classic. Firstedition audubon prints coveted by collectors and. London, after audubons original lifesize watercolor drawings, on j. These were reproduced primarily by robert havell and sons from audubons watercolor paintings and often under the direct supervision of audubon himself. Robert havell supplied the spanish fort in the background of the common greenshank.
Get free delivery on everything overstock your online art gallery store. Birds of america, one of the most beautiful books ever produced. The first 10 plates were engraved by william home lizars of edinburgh, scotland. Education a timeline for audubon prints audubon galleries. Blackbilled cuckoo from birds of america 1827 by john. Augustine, the actual location is in question and is probably in the keys. This book contains a complete price guide to the 18261838 havell edition of the john james audubon birds of america publication. Havell, robert junior 17931878 havell, robert senior 17691832 hawkins, george 180952 heath, james 17571834 heath, william 17941840 hiller, jan stanley 19182011 hogarth, william 16971764 hollar, wenceslaus 160777 hondius, jodocus 15631612 houbraken, jacobus 16981780 houston, richard 1721. Audubon, john james, engraved by robert havell 17931878 cat bird. That original first edition is called the havell edition.
Audubon prints birds of america original octavos 1st. Find art you love and shop highquality art prints, photographs, framed artworks and posters at. The first is the original watercolor john james audubon created in 1825 as the preparatory artwork for the birds of america. Tippedin paper on first page of book by joseph goddu, the compiler of the catalogue, who has written a lovea to replace a with the compliments ofa.
Audubon bird prints, including prints from both original folio editions, the havell edition. Havell edition the first edition of birds of america was created between 1826 and 1838 using a printing process known as engraving. Shop framed art print louisiana heron, from birds of. Artists proofs for the birds of america by john james. All books not described as to size are approximately 8 vo 6 x 9 inches, the standard size. During the period 1827 to 1839, audubon produced the images for his monumental the birds of america boa with the assistance of engravers william lizars of scotland for the first few prints and then with robert havell, sr and jr. One of audubons biggest complaints with lizars first plates was the variation in the hand coloring between impressions.
About 1820, around the age of 35, audubon declared his intention to paint every bird in north america. Although books about north american birds already existed, audubon outdid them not only in scope and vision, but also in size. With the exception of the 1985 abbeville press edition, it is the first edition since the havell to include all 435 plates printed on double elephant folio paper. In 1827, audubon engaged the noted london animal engraver robert havell jr. Robert havell s masterwork birds of america for john audubon a selection closeups from birds of america to illustrate that havell was not only a first rate engraver but a consummate artist. Hooping crane giclee print by john james audubon audubon. The second is the resulting handcolored engraving william lizars and, later, robert havell rendered from audubons watercolor reference in 1827. Audubon traveled extensively throughout the young united states recording every then known species of bird in 435 plates, each in their true to life scale. 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. The rarity of these havell edition prints becomes very quickly obvious especially when one is searching for a particular bird print there are very difficult to find indeed. The portfolio, comprised of 435 hand colored engravings, took twelve years, from 1826 to 1838, to complete. Mar, 2001 this is the best book available for anyone who wishes to see accurate reproductions of audubons greatest work, the double elephant folio edition of birds of america. Jun 17, 2015 in 1827, he joined with robert havell, a london engraver to create the birds of america, also known as the havell edition or the double elephant folio.
Original prints from the birds of america by john james audubon this gallery shows the most desirable of all of audubons original art work. Spends a considerable amount of time writing the text for the ornithological biography, which is edited by william macgillivray. Firstedition audubon prints coveted by collectors and thieves. Artists proofs for the birds of america goddu, joseph on. The birds of america is the iconic work of handcolored, lifesize prints by the famed naturalist, ornithologist, and illustrator john james audubon. Shop for robert havell art prints from our community of independent artists and iconic brands. Audubon funded the costly printing of the birds of america by selling them as a subscription to wealthy patrons he met while lecturing on ornithology in britain and paris. Robert was the brother of luke havell, and named as such in lukes will. Henry peck havell, grandnephew of the artist thence by descent to the present owner it is thought that robert havell may have come to america in 1839 with the intention. Using a press which exerted a great amount pressure, the designs which were etched into copper plates were printed in black ink onto heavy paper. Today the work is known as the havell edition of birds. The graphic arts collection recently acquired one of the rarest and most beautiful of havell s solo publications, a collection of the birds of paradise ca. Audubon and natural history books all books in this list are in generally good condition for used books unless described otherwise.
Authentication of audubon prints audubon galleries. If your print is not close to this size it most likely has little or no value. How to discern an original audubon print antique trader. What is the birds of america double elephant folio book. Audubons reputation as a great artist and naturalist was recognized throughout the world when he published from london, between 1827 and 1838, his famous double elephant folio prints.
Robert havell, best known for his exquisite engravings of john james audubons bird paintings, came to ossining from england in 1839. Hooping crane by john james audubon unframed painting print on paper east urban home size. Audubon prints birds of america havell edition prints. They carried a bird book with them and would mark off birds that they had seen. Pinneated grouse plate 186, amsterdam audubon edition at. Consult an audubon reference book such as susanne lows a guide to audubons birds of america published by the owners of audubon galleries and sold on this website which will tell you exactly what the text should be for specific plates you have. This is a must before considering any other factors in authenticating an original audubon print. This plate hung in the same room as the colourists employed by havell, and was used by them as a template for their meticulous colouring of each published plate. Customize your robert havell print with hundreds of different frames and mats, if desired. A collection of the birds of paradise graphic arts.
Nonetheless, the images in it are beautiful and the book is very wellmade. Havell, dated 1875 and inscribed indistinctly on the reverse oil on canvas 34 34 x 46 12 inches provenance. Since no american printer could properly handle the fine work, audubon went to the british isles to seek a printing house. Engraved by havell after audubons original artwork. If the initial print run known as the first printing or first impression sells out and the publisher decides to produce a subsequent printing with the same typeset, books from that second print run can be described as a first edition, second printing. Original audubon havell edition produced 18261837 prints for sale. Audubon print prices, audubon price guides, and price. Sometimes these prints are called the havell edition. The work consisted of 435 double elephant folio def sized aquatints, which were engraved and hand colored by the firm of robert havell in london, england. The first thing about an original from the first edition is that the birds are life size. It is a story without equal in the whole history of publishing great books and book. The breathtaking art of john james audubons birds of america has been celebrated throughout the world since it first appeared over 150 years ago. John james audubons birds of america four original. American white pelican, from birds of america, engraved by robert havell giclee print by john james audubon.
Havell, bien, octavo birds of america, octavo quadrupeds of north america quads, imperial folio viviparous quadrupeds of north america, and these modern audubon editions. Between 1827 and 1839, john james audubon worked with robert havell, a london engraver to create the double elephant folio. Audubon prints audubon house gallery of natural history. The edition was printed on the largest format paper available for printing in the early 19th century. Dec 15, 2017 the book so big it needed its own furniture. Audubon published and sold by subscription 435 different doubleelephant folio sized handcolored copperplate engravings depicting over different birds. Each plate was engraved, printed, and hand colored by robert havell of london. The original aquatints created by robert havell, jr. I sell well researched and reasonably priced audubon price guide books for the following original audubon editions. Scores, in addition, dream of owning an original, handcolored print from the most monumental bird book of all, the birds of america, by john james audubon 17851851. Double elephant dimensions 26 14 x 39 12 inches 667 x 1003 mm audubons birds of america engravings produced by robert havell were of double elephant size. While the volume was based on le vaillants earlier study, havell redesigned several key artistic elements, beginning with the title page.
Birds of america by john james audubon, first edition. Some prints are slightly smaller and some slightly larger due. The original birds of america is the most expensive printed book in the world and a truly aweinspiring classic. When held up to the light an original audubon print will show a watermark as part of the paper. These prints were chiefly engraved and hand colored by robert havell jr. The annenbergs enjoyed watching birds with binoculars at sunnylands. Its a gorgeous little book, very thick but very small dimensions it can fit in the palm of your hand easily. Audubon engaged the noted london animal engraver robert havell jr. The 1st royal octavo edition of birds of america was completed under the. These engravings are the largest of the valuable audubon prints and measure 39. Lizars of edinburgh engraved the first ten plates in 1828, but havell reengraved some of these. The original edition of birds of america sometimes called the havell edition after its. From the very rare havell edition of the books, this print originates from one of the only estimated 175 complete sets produced.
Havell then etched, aquatinted, engraved and handcolored the rest with a dated j. The term double elephant was a printers term referring to the largest paper available for printing at the time. In his bird art, he mainly forsook oil paint, the medium of serious artists of the day, in favor of watercolors and pastel crayons and occasionally pencil, charcoal, chalk, gouache. Growing up in great britain, havell developed his skills as an. 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. Robert havell, a renowned london engraver, was engaged by audubon to reproduce the birds of america. On 16 june 1838, john james audubons engraver, robert havell, jr. The first important criteria to consider is the presence of a whatman watermark.
John james audubon havell edition print gallery john james audubon completed his magnificant work birds of america in 1838. The work took almost twelve years to finish due to the time consuming labor of etching the image onto copper plates, printing and then hand coloring each print. Paints and sells many small oil paintings of birds and mammals to make ends meet. John james audubon birds of america first edition seller. The images have been digitally processed for the first time and. Between 1827 and 1839, john james audubon worked with robert havell, a london. There is an excellent book on the first edition called audubons great national work by ron tyler 1993 university of texas press. American, 17931878 view of lake george, 1875 signed r. Carolina parrot carolina parrot, handcoloured engraving and aquatint by robert havell, jr. Jan 20, 2012 engraved titlepage in each volume and 435 handcolored, etched and aquatint plates, by william h.
Because of a strike by lizars employees, production was moved to london. This gallery shows the most desirable of all of audubons original art work. The resulting engravings with handcoloring from his iconic birds of america have been avidly collected since they were first published in a series between 1827 and 1838. The complete set of havell engravings is commonly known as the double elephant folio andor the havell edition.
A monument to the singleminded genius of audubon, the birds of america also represent the outstanding achievements of numerous engravers, colorists, paper makers and binders. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. New london bridge, built alongside the existing medieval structure, was the last major project of architect john rennie, built under the supervision of his son john rennie the younger. Robert jr havell paintings for sale robert jr havell art. Produced in collaboration with the uniquely talented printerartist, robert havell, audubons massive work is as the subtitle of this book says the most famous bird book in the. Redwinged starling, from birds of america, engraved by robert havell 17931878 published 1820 giclee print by john james audubon.
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