Birds of America

Measuring 39.5" x 29.5", Birds of America has long been recognized as one of the greatest bird books of all time. Audubon, a self-taught ornithologist and talented artist, researched his specimens in their natural habitats, hunting them to secure their likenesses with brush on paper. His innovative methods of wiring them into position enabled him to sketch and paint elusive specimens, thus contributing to his accuracy.

Audubon supplied his publisher with life-size paintings that were transformed into copperplate etchings and printed in black on white paper. Each plate was then meticulously hand-colored by Robert Havell's staff according to Audubon's specifications. In many cases, Audubon supplied the birds alone, leaving the background to either his field assistants or Havell. Over 1,000 birds appear on 435 plates, typically bound into four volumes, each with its own title page.

Approximately 200 sets of Audubon's plates were produced; fewer than 120 complete sets remain today. Subscribers were able to order the plates either bound into four volumes or as loose sheets; therefore, some sets were dispersed at the time of issue.