Shop for robert havell art prints from our community of independent artists and iconic brands. Original audubon havell edition prints, birds of america. What is the birds of america double elephant folio book. The principal printing technique was copperplate etching, but engraving and aquatint were also used. Audubon published and sold by subscription 435 different doubleelephant folio sized handcolored copperplate engravings depicting over different birds. The first edition of approximately 1,200 sets was completed in four years. The 1st royal octavo edition of birds of america was completed under the. Each plate was engraved, printed, and hand colored by robert havell of london. The first octavo edition was published 1840 to 1844 by audubon in. His book illustrations and paintings are available for purchase. How to discern an original audubon print antique trader. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Havell edition the double elephant folio by jj audubon. Artists proofs for the birds of america by john james.
Hooping crane giclee print by john james audubon audubon. 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. Artists proofs for the birds of america goddu, joseph on. Birds of america by audubon, first edition abebooks. Sometimes these prints are called the havell edition. Lizars of edinburgh engraved the first ten plates in 1828, but havell reengraved some of these. The original aquatints created by robert havell, jr. Robert havell, a renowned london engraver, was engaged by audubon to reproduce the birds of america. The complete avian collection newyork historical society edition. When held up to the light an original audubon print will show a watermark as part of the paper. Since no american printer could properly handle the fine work, audubon went to the british isles to seek a printing house.
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. Redwinged starling, from birds of america, engraved by robert havell 17931878 published 1820 giclee print by john james audubon. In 1827, audubon engaged the noted london animal engraver robert havell jr. John james audubons birds of america four original. Between 1827 and 1839, john james audubon worked with robert havell, a london. If your print is not close to this size it most likely has little or no value. Today the work is known as the havell edition of birds of america. The annenbergs enjoyed watching birds with binoculars at sunnylands. 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. 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. 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. 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. The name double elephant was a printers term regarding the size of the paper.
Audubon prints audubon house gallery of natural history. 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. Education a timeline for audubon prints audubon galleries. 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. The original edition of birds of america sometimes called the havell edition after its. Although books about north american birds already existed, audubon outdid them not only in scope and vision, but also in size. These prints were chiefly engraved and hand colored by robert havell jr. 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. Because of a strike by lizars employees, production was moved to london.
The original birds of america is the most expensive printed book in the world and a truly aweinspiring classic. 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. 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. I sell well researched and reasonably priced audubon price guide books for the following original audubon editions. Robert was the brother of luke havell, and named as such in lukes will. 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. Robert havell, best known for his exquisite engravings of john james audubons bird paintings, came to ossining from england in 1839. Its a gorgeous little book, very thick but very small dimensions it can fit in the palm of your hand easily. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. Named for engraver robert havell, the edition was produced in. The first 10 plates were engraved by william home lizars of edinburgh, scotland. 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. Birds of america, one of the most beautiful books ever produced. Blackbilled cuckoo from birds of america 1827 by john.
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. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. All books not described as to size are approximately 8 vo 6 x 9 inches, the standard size. Audubon engaged the noted london animal engraver robert havell jr. 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. Artist robert casilla showcases his fine art paintings and his paintings done for childrens books. Original prints from the birds of america by john james audubon this gallery shows the most desirable of all of audubons original art work. The first thing about an original from the first edition is that the birds are life size. American white pelican, from birds of america, engraved by robert havell giclee print by john james audubon.
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. A brief introduction to audubon and the original editions princeton. Bird art john james audubon, birds of america, bird prints. Nonetheless, the images in it are beautiful and the book is very wellmade. A collection of the birds of paradise graphic arts. Price guide havell edition audubon print prices, audubon. Audubon bird prints, including prints from both original folio editions, the havell edition. The edition was printed on the largest format paper available for printing in the early 19th century. John james audubon havell edition print gallery john james audubon completed his magnificant work birds of america in 1838. 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. Growing up in great britain, havell developed his skills as an aquatint artist under the.
From the very rare havell edition of the books, this print originates from one of the only estimated 175 complete sets produced. Audubon and natural history books all books in this list are in generally good condition for used books unless described otherwise. These prints were engraved and handcolored chiefly by robert havell in 87 numbers of five plates each. The first important criteria to consider is the presence of a whatman watermark. 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. Find art you love and shop highquality art prints, photographs, framed artworks and posters at. Audubon prints birds of america original octavos 1st. On 16 june 1838, john james audubons engraver, robert havell, jr. The breathtaking art of john james audubons birds of america has been celebrated throughout the world since it first appeared over 150 years ago. Shop for framed art print louisiana heron, from birds of america, engraved by robert havell, 1834 by john james audubon 25 x 22inch. London, after audubons original lifesize watercolor drawings, on j. Limited edition prints are also available for purchase.
The complete set of havell engravings is commonly known as the double elephant folio andor the havell edition. Carolina parrot carolina parrot, handcoloured engraving and aquatint by robert havell, jr. 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. About 1820, around the age of 35, audubon declared his intention to paint every bird in north america. 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. Audubon, engraved, printed and colored by robert havell, 1836. Apr 8, 2019 blackbilled cuckoo from birds of america 1827 by john james audubon 1785 1851, etched by robert havell 1793 1878. 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. Havell then etched, aquatinted, engraved and handcolored the rest with a dated j.
Paints and sells many small oil paintings of birds and mammals to make ends meet. 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. This publication catalogues 60 artist proofs, owned by the havell family, and reproduces the lions share of them, all for the first time ever. Get free delivery on everything overstock your online art gallery store. While the volume was based on le vaillants earlier study, havell redesigned several key artistic elements, beginning with the title page. Learn how to identify antique audubon prints rareprints. Labor problems forced lizars to resign from the project, and audubon then began his association with robert havell. There is an excellent book on the first edition called audubons great national work by ron tyler 1993 university of texas press. We buy and sell some original audubon havell edition, bien edition and octavo edition prints. John james audubon birds of america first edition seller. Audubons great work was called the double elephant folio, the birds of america or the havell edition. Robert havell supplied the spanish fort in the background of the common greenshank. Lizars engraved up to ten of the first plates but was unable to continue the project when. There is an excellent book on the first edition called audubons great national work.
Between 1827 and 1839, john james audubon worked with robert havell, a london engraver to create the double elephant folio. Authentication of audubon prints audubon galleries. 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. The images have been digitally processed for the first time and.
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 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. Audubon house gallery of natural history search for. American, 17931878 view of lake george, 1875 signed r. The birds of america is considered the finest book to ever be produced. Whatman turkey mill paper with watermarks dated 18271838 see appendix b for watermarks on the. Audubon prints birds of america havell edition prints. That original first edition is called the havell edition. Birds of america by john james audubon, first edition. Plate 10 brown lark, from the havell edition by audubon. Spends a considerable amount of time writing the text for the ornithological biography, which is edited by william macgillivray. 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. This book contains a complete price guide to the 18261838 havell edition of the john james audubon birds of america publication.
They carried a bird book with them and would mark off birds that they had seen. 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. Some prints are slightly smaller and some slightly larger due. The drawings for the harlequin ducks were done by audubon and his son, john woodhouse, near eastport, maine. Original audubon havell edition produced 18261837 prints for sale. Hooping crane by john james audubon unframed painting print on paper east urban home size.
Pinneated grouse plate 186, amsterdam audubon edition at. Havell edition audubon house gallery of natural history. Customize your robert havell print with hundreds of different frames and mats, if desired. Firstedition audubon prints coveted by collectors and thieves. Growing up in great britain, havell developed his skills as an. Havell, bien, octavo birds of america, octavo quadrupeds of north america quads, imperial folio viviparous quadrupeds of north america, and these modern audubon editions. Audubons renditions of north american bird species are some of the most celebrated depictions of.
The birds of america is the iconic work of handcolored, lifesize prints by the famed naturalist, ornithologist, and illustrator john james audubon. A miniature edition of both the birds of america and the viviparous quadrupeds of north america was printed on royal octavo sized paper. Audubon, john james, engraved by robert havell 17931878 cat bird. Shop framed art print louisiana heron, from birds of. 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. One of audubons biggest complaints with lizars first plates was the variation in the hand coloring between impressions. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838. Havell solved this by creating a working proof or pattern print for each plate.
The city became his base of operations for the series of bird drawings and watercolors he was preparing for publication. Jan 20, 2012 engraved titlepage in each volume and 435 handcolored, etched and aquatint plates, by william h. 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. His father, robert senior, ran a print shop in london. Augustine, the actual location is in question and is probably in the keys. These are copper plate engravings 435 plates printed on high. 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. Lizars, agreed to produce the very first plates for the book.
The book was first published as a series between 1827 and 1838 with the intent to document every known bird. The first is the original watercolor john james audubon created in 1825 as the preparatory artwork for the birds of america. This gallery shows the most desirable of all of audubons original art work. Firstedition audubon prints coveted by collectors and. 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. Today the work is known as the havell edition of birds. Havell edition the first edition of birds of america was created between 1826 and 1838 using a printing process known as engraving. Monumental framed audubon print of the little owl, 1834. 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. Each robert havell art print is produced using archival inks, ships within 48 hours, and comes with a 30day money back guarantee. 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. Dec 15, 2017 the book so big it needed its own furniture. This is a must before considering any other factors in authenticating an original audubon print.
These engravings are the largest of the valuable audubon prints and measure 39. Engraved by havell after audubons original artwork. Robert jr havell paintings for sale robert jr havell art. About us we are an art gallery with over 50 years of experience focusing on the artwork of john james audubon, john gould, pierrejoseph redoute and other natural history artists. Havell engraved all but the first 10 plates of audubons birds of america, which was first published in 10 large volumes in 1840. The second is the resulting handcolored engraving william lizars and, later, robert havell rendered from audubons watercolor reference in 1827. Audubon print prices, audubon price guides, and price. See more ideas about john james audubon, birds of america and audubon birds. The term double elephant was a printers term referring to the largest paper available for printing at the time. Havell, dated 1875 and inscribed indistinctly on the reverse oil on canvas 34 34 x 46 12 inches provenance. 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. Audubon often depicts smaller birds, like these yellow louisiana tanagers. It is out of print but can sometimes be found in used book stores. The portfolio, comprised of 435 hand colored engravings, took twelve years, from 1826 to 1838, to complete.
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