Birds of America (book)

"The Birds of America" is the title of a book by naturalist and painter John James Audubon, containing paintings and scientific description of a wide variety of birds of the United States. It was first published as a series of sections between 1827 and 1838.

The work consists of hand-colored, life-size prints made from engraved plates measuring around 39 by 26 inches. The original edition was engraved in aquatint by Robert Havell Sr. and son, Robert Havell Jr.; known as the "Double Elephant folio", it is often regarded as the greatest picture book ever produced. A copy in excellent condition sold at Christie's in March of 2000 for $8,802,500, is still (as of 2007) a world record for any printed book.

All 435 of John James Audubon's known extant watercolors preparatory for Birds of America are housed at the New-York Historical Society in New York City. The original book is owned by Canada's Library of Parliament.

Gallery

Zenaida macroura"
Canada Goose
Flamingo
Paridae
Peregrine Falcon
Ivory Billed Woodpecker
Gyrfalcon
Trumpeter Swan

External links

* [http://www.mirroroftheworld.com.au/exploration/capturing_nature/birds_america.php The Birds of America] - High resolution images
* [http://digital.library.pitt.edu/a/audubon/ Audubon's Birds of America at the University of Pittsburgh] - High resolution images of all 435 double elephant folios