The Birds of America, 1827-38 - Havell Edition
Audubon's 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. These prints were engraved and hand-colored chiefly by Robert Havell in 87 numbers of five plates each. W. H. Lizars of Edinburgh engraved the first ten plates in 1828, but Havell re-engraved some of these. Havell then etched, aquatinted, engraved and handcolored the rest with a dated J. Whatman watermark on each sheet. They measured approximately 26 x 39 inches. When removed from the Audubon book, an inch or so was frequently trimmed away. These prints are the "top of the line" of Audubons. Experts estimate that about 180 complete folios were published, with 435 plates in each folio. In a scholarly book on this subject published in 1973, the author could locate only 134 sets. Thus, if you own one of these prints, you hold a very scarce item of Americana, as all but a small number of sets are institutionalized.
Plate 1 - WILD TURKEY - Hand-colored engraving by W. H. Lizars (Edinburgh), retouched by R. Havell, Jr. (London). Third variant, with aquatint. (Reference: A Guide to Audubon's Birds of America, Susanne M. Low, 2002, New Haven and New York.) J. Whatman Turkey Mill watermark, 1825, on wove paper, measures 25 x 38 inches, excellent color. SOLD
Plate 5 - BONAPARTE'S WARBLER (CANADA WARBLER) - With red magnolia seed pod. A stunning print, full sheet, J. Whatman watermark. One of ten that were engraved by W. H. Lizars. With custom rag French mat. Framed. $8,500
Plate 7 - PURPLE GRACKLE (COMMON CROW BLACKBIRD) - Two birds in corn stalks, Audubon classic image, engraved by W. H. Lizars, Edinburgh, Scotland, retouched by Robert Havell, London, 1829, J. Whatman watermark, 1836. Measures 25 1/2 x 38 1/2 inches, nice color. $14,500
Plate 10 - BROWN LARK (WATER PIPIT) - A truly beautiful, unique piece of art. This print has a deckle edge, never bound, measures 26 1/2 x 39 inches, J. Whatman Turkey Mill 1828 watermark, engraved by W. H. Lizars, printed and colored by Robert Havell, Sr. Uniform creamy paper, as in Turkey Mill paper, one very minor corner repair. Unique in that Plate No. "X" is in center, with No. 2 just to right of plate number. Birds perched reaching for fly, with toadstools in foreground. $2,750
Plate 15 - BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER (PARULA WARBLER) - Trimmed to near platemark, otherwise nice color and condition, very decorative. $2,200
Plate 19 - LOUISIANA WATER THRUSH - Very nice composition, striking red berries, J. Whatman watermark, measures 25 x 37 1/2 inches. $3,750
Plate 23 - YELLOW-BREASTED WARBLER (COMMON YELLOWTHROAT) - Lovely image of this beautiful warbler with striking Silverbell flower in center of drawing. Full sheet, J. Whatman watermark, 1831. Second state of two, name changed from Maryland Yellowthroat. $6,750
Plate 31 - WHITE-HEADED EAGLE (BALD EAGLE) - Nice impression of national bird, major Audubon print with eagle and catfish. J. Whatman Turkey Mill watermark, dated 1828, measures 25 x 38 inches, first variant. $39,500
Plate 45 - TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER (WILLOW FLYCATCHER) - This interesting composition finds the bird perched atop a branch in a Sweetgum Tree. Unusual full untrimmed sheet with J. Whatman 1831 watermark. Second of two states. $3,500
Plate 47 - RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD - Major print, measures 24 x 36 inches, J. Whatman watermark 1832, several minor margin tears repaired. Excellent color. $35,000
Plate 49 - BLUE-GREEN WARBLER (CERULEAN WARBLER) - Very decorative image, bird in Spanish Mulberry, dated 1828, J. Whatman watermark, dated 1830, one of early plates engraved and colored by Robert Havell, Sr. Several very small margin repairs, none visible from front. In French mat, measures 26 1/2 x 39 1/2. $6,500 SOLD
Plate 53 - PAINTED FINCH (PAINTED BUNTING) - A major Audubon print, full sheet, J. Whatman watermark, high demand image of this bird whose numbers are declining rapidly. $18,000
Plate 54 - RICE BIRD - Great image of Bobolink with colorful red maple flower pods. $8,500
Plate 55 - CUVIER'S REGULUS (Golden-crowned Kinglet?) - One of Audubon's mystery birds, crown color of Ruby-crowned Kinglet, head markings more like Golden-crowned Kinglet. In beautiful Kalmia or Laurel bush. Measures 21 1/4 x 29 1/4 inches. J. Whatman 1833 watermark. $3,200
Plate 68 - REPUBLICAN CLIFF SWALLOW - Birds shown on cliff walls and in nests with egg. Measures 25 x 38 inches, with 1829 J. Whatman Turkey Mill watermark. $4,200
Plate 83 - HOUSE WREN - Classic Audubon, wren nesting in hat, trimmed to 15 3/4 x 23 1/2 inches. $3,750
Plate 89 - NASHVILLE WARBLER - Trimmed to 17 x 24 inches, nice color, watermark separate but accompanies print. Faint discoloration. $1,400
Plate 94 - BAY-WING BUNTING - Very decorative image. Bay-wing Bunting on ground with Eastern Prickley Pear Cactus, trimmed to 16 x 24 inches, in French mat, dated 1830. A lovely print. $3,500
Plate 107 - CANADA JAY - Impressive print with birds near hornet's nest. Measures 23 3/4 x 29 1/2 inches, dated 1831, London, with J. Whatman watermark. Slight paper crease below upper leaves on right and below legend in lower right corner. Margins good. $4,700
Plate 112 - DOWNY WOODPECKER - Beautiful image of birds in tangled Cross Vine, full sheet, J. Whatman paper 1831, great color, with unobtrusive central horizontal fold. $5,500 SOLD
Plate 122 - BLUE GROSBEAK - Three birds with nest, in dogwood tree, on J. Whatman paper dated 1831, with unobtrusive central horizontal fold, with Japan rice paper backing, good colors, full sheet. $4,750
Plate 122 - BLUE GROSBEAK (second copy) - Good color, measures 20 3/4 x 26 inches, three birds with nest. $3,200
Plate 145 - YELLOW RED-POLL WARBLER (Palm Warbler) - Very decorative full sheet, birds in Southern Sneezeweed blooms, with J. Whatman Turkey Mill Watermark dated 1834. Print dated 1832, measures 26 1/2 x 38 inches. $4,500
Plate 172 - BLUE-HEADED PIGEON - Beautiful landscape, drawn in Florida Keys, with wild poinsettia plant. Now called Blue-headed Quail Dove. Measures 25 x 37 1/2 inches. Audubon drew these birds in 1832. Found mainly in Cuba. In recent years has been seen again in Keys. Dated 1833. $12,500 SOLD
Plate 173 - BARN SWALLOW - Nice copy of this popular image, with J. Whatman watermark dated 1833, full sheet. $6,500
Plate 175 - NUTTALL'S LESSER MARSH WREN (SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN) - Very nice, full sheet, unusual composition with much foliage. J. Whatman watermark. $5,750
Plate 177 - WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON - Very important and decorative print of this bird, now called White-crowned Pigeon. Sparsely found in Everglades and Florida Keys in blooming Geiger-tree. Measures 25 x 32 inches, dated 1833, J. Whatman watermark. $9,500
Plate 179 - WOOD WREN (House Wren) - Very decorative print with red and blue berries, one bird on rock. Measures 25 1/2 x 37 inches. $6,500
Plate 187 - BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE - Birds shown in Live Oak, spectacular original color, stunning impact, in acid free French mat with grey, black margins, measures 21 1/4 x 27 1/2 inches. J. Whatman 1834 watermark in upper right corner, dated 1834. Although trimmed, a stunning work of art. $6,750
Plate 190 - YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER - A Stunning composition, 1834 J. Whatman watermark, measures 19 1/2 x 29 inches, discoloring on verso, dated 1834 on front. $2,750
Plate 192 - GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE or BUTCHER BIRD - This print cleaned and restored, measures 21 1/4 x 27 1/2 inches. J. Whatman watermark visible in upper left vertical margin, one 2 1/2 inch repair lower right margin, a few small margin repairs, dated 1843. $3,750
Plate 215 - HYPERBOREAN PHALAROPE - Great action image of this shore bird, excellent color, measures 25 x 37 1/2 inches, J. Whatman watermark, 1834. $3,500
Plate 225 - KILDEER PLOVER - Great horizontal image of this beautiful bird, with 1836 J. Whatman watermarked paper, measures 25 1/2 x 38 inches. $5,750
Plate 257 - DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT - Most common of east coast cormorants, J. Whatman watermark dated 1835, unobtrusive repaired margin tear. Measures 25 1/2 x 36 inches. $8,000
Plate 274 - SEMI-PALMATED SNIPE OR WILLET - Striking action scene in marsh with these common shore birds. Dated 1835, laid down, measures 25 x 31 inches, chip in corner. $3,750
Plate 280 - BLACK TERN - Two birds in flight, dated 1835, measures 20 1/4 x 26 1/2 inches. $2,500
Plate 283 - WANDERING SHEARWATER - Full sheet, excellent color, J. Whatman watermark 1835, also dated on Havell credit line 1835. With linen mat. $3,500
Plate 287 - IVORY GULL - Excellent color, very decorative. J. Whatman watermark, 20 x 29 inches. Framed to look like painting $3,750
Plate 288 - YELLOW SHANK (LESSER YELLOW LEGS) - Striking color, trimmed to plate mark, 16 x 22 inches, framed to look like watercolor. View in South Carolina. $6,500
Plate 296 - BARNACLE GOOSE - Powerful image of two geese confronting each other. Full sheet, great color, J. Whatman watermark. Dated 1836. $8,500 SOLD
Plate 298 - RED-NECKED GREBE - Splash of color and beauty. Birders always see this bird in water, but Audubon drew them perched on land in breeding plumage - big feet and all. Best color I have seen, great lake setting - a classic! Full sheet, top condition, J. Whatman watermark. $7,500
Plate 308 - TELL-TALE GODWIT (GREATER YELLOWLEGS) - Full sheet, J. Whatman watermark, excellent color, great landscape. $12,000
Plate 328 - LONG-LEGGED AVOCET (BLACK-NECKED STILT) - Whimsical image of this beautiful bird, nice impression, dated 1836, measures 25 1/2 x 38 inches, good color. $9,500
Plate 353 -CHESTNUT-BACKED TITMOUSE (Chestnut-backed Chickadee), BLACK-CAPPED TITMOUSE (Black-capped Chickadee) AND CHESTNUT-CROWNED TITMOUSE (Bushtit) - Measures 25 x 38 inches, J. Whatman watermark 1837. Very attractive composition with three species around long moss nest, dated 1837. $6,500
Plate 355 - MACGILLIVRAY'S FINCH OR SEASIDE SPARROW - This declining species in nice composition with two butterflies. Dated 1837, measures 20 x 29 1/2 inches, J. Whatman watermark upper right corner, date trimmed. Very decorative. $2,750
Plate 382 - SHARP-TAILED GROUSE - Full sheet, important western prairie game bird. J. Whatman watermark, excellent condition, framed. $18,500
Plate 388 - NUTTALL'S STARLING (Tri-colored Blackbird), YELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL (Yellow-headed Blackbird) AND BULLOCK'S ORIOLE - Measures 22 3/4 x 37 inches, J. Whatman watermark, 1837. Very interesting and colorful composition, dated 1837. $3,750
Plate 390 - LARK FINCH (Lark Sparrow), PRAIRIE FINCH (Lark Bunting) and BROWN SONG SPARROW (Song Sparrow) Measures 25 x 37 1/2 inches, 1837 J. Whatman watermark. Dated 1837. $2,750
Plate 392 - LOUISIANA HAWK (Harris Hawk) - Stunning rendition of this bird, great color, J. Whatman watermark, 1837, measures 26 x 38 inches. $8,750
Plate 405 - SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER - Great shore bird composition, two birds with seashells along shore. Full sheet, J. Whatman watermark. Dated 1838. $4,500
Plate 411 - COMMON AMERICAN SWAN - One of top ten images, stunning impact. Hand-colored aquatint and engraving with 1838 watermark, trimmed to image, backed with Japan paper, floated on mat, 22 1/2 x 35 3/4 inches. Full sheet retail $100,000 plus. $16,000 SOLD
Plate 414 - GOLDEN-WINGED and CAPE MAY WARBLERS - Two species, shown in Chapman Oak, full sheet with J. Whatman watermark, dated 1838. $2,500