The Bien edition, issued by Audubon’s artist son, John W. Audubon, was the first attempt to reproduce the birds life-size. It was undertaken by Julius Bien in New York as a chromolithographic work and involved the transfer of the images from the original plates to stones. The outbreak of the Civil War prevented completion, and only 150 images on 105 plates were produced by Bien during the years 1858, 59, and 60.
The sheets with one image measure about 26 x 38 inches, the same size as the Havells. However, instead of placing one small bird on a large sheet, two small images were printed on each sheet in the Bien edition. This work was a major achievement in chromolithography at this time and the Biens are actually scarcer than the Havells, and of course all the work was done in America. The exact number of the Bien editions is unknown, but it is thought to be between 50 and 100.
Listed below are those prints which consume a full sheet; later in the listing the double sheets with two images; and next, those small image sheets which have been halved. The half-sheets are about 18 x 25 inches. Further, the Biens have no watermark although in most cases Bien’s name appears on the print.
Full Sheet, One Drawing, 25 x 37 Inches
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Plate 18 – SWALLOW-TAILED KITE – Striking print with bird holding snake in its beak. Measures 25 ½ x 34 ½ inches – unobtrusive center crease. $1,400 |
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Plate 19 – GYR OR ICELAND FALCON – Full sheet, great image, classic Audubon, excellent color. $12,500 |
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Plate 20 - GREAT-FOOTED HAWK - Very nice color, 3 inch repaired tear upper center margin, margins rough, mats up nicely. $3,500 |
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Plate 138 - MOCKINGBIRD - Important image with rattlesnake, nest, and Yellow Jessamine vine, some restoration, 24 x 36 inches good impact, dated 1860. $7,500 |
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Plate 216 - REDWING STARLING - Excellent color and impression of this bird in budding Red maple, 26 1/2 x 38 1/2 inches. One of the best of the Biens, dated 1860. $4,750 |
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Plate 217 - BALTIMORE ORIOLE - Excellent color and condition, measures 26 1/2 x 37 inches, dated 1860, with rag mat. $7,500 |
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Plate 221 - PURPLE GRACKLE - Birds in cornstalk, a famous Audubon image. French mat. $6,500 |
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Plate 222 – RUSTY GRACKLE – Excellent color and condition. Four birds in Black Haw tree branch eating blueberries. Full sheet. $2,500 |
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Plate 226 – FISH CROW - Nice image of coastal crow in locust tree with crab. Paper in good condition, full sheet, good color. Dated 1860. $4,500 |
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Plate 244 - YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT - Striking composition with birds coming to nest in Virginia Rose bush, good condition, full sheet, 1860. $5,500 |
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Plate 278 - CAROLINA PARROT - Major and high-demand image, excellent color. Measures 25 1/2 x 37 1/2 inches, dated 1860. $32,000 |
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Plate 287 - WILD TURKEY (Male) - Excellent impression of this important bird in giant cane field, dated 1858. Audubon's signature image, full sheet, excellent color, some restoration, backed with Japan paper. $9,500 |
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Plate 288 - FISH HAWK or OSPREY - Excellent impression of this important and common bird. Extra full sheet measures 26 1/2 x 39 inches, backed with Japan paper for conservation purposes. Dated 1860. $9,500 |
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Plate 358 - GLOSSY IBIS - Beautiful impression of this stunning bird, excellent color, striking setting with cabin and stream, measures 26 x 38 inches, dated 1860. $12,000 |
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Plate 371 - REDDISH EGRET - Major image of this important bird, good condition and color. $12,000 |
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Plate 375 - AMERICAN FLAMINGO - One of Audubon's signature images, extra full sheet measures 26 1/4 x 39 1/2 inches. Left sheet side shows sewing holes where disbound from book. A very important image, dated 1860. $37,500 |
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Plate 380 - WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE - Wide spread goose, typical Audubon pose, dated 1860. $6,500 |
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Plate 388 - GADWALL DUCK - Full sheet, great color and condition, beautifully set off with linen mat, formerly in the Russell B. Aitken Collection of Wildlife Art and Sculpture. Some foxing. $3,750 |
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Plate 391 – WOOD DUCK – Important image, excellent condition and color, dated 1860. $16,000 |
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Plate 414 - SMEW OR WHITE NUN - Great color. Repaired margin tear. Dated 1860. $2,500 |
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Full Sheet, Two Drawings, 25 x 37 inches
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Plates 173, 174 - MACGILLIVRAY'S FINCH AND SHARP-TAILED FINCH - Two images with interesting foliage and background. Good color and condition. $950 |
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Plates 397, 398 - LONG-NECKED AND SCAUP DUCK - Vertical double, 26 1/2 x 39 inches, good color, 1860, several margin repairs. $3,500 |
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Half Sheet, One Drawing, 18 x 25 inches
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Plate 192 – WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW – French mat and period frame. $950 |
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Plate 245 – BOHEMIAN CHATTERER – Mat burn. $450 |
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Plate 308 – YELLOW-BREASTED RAIL – Charming image, margin losses, French mat. $750 |
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Plate 434 - ARCTIC TERN - Great color, mat burn. Dated 1860. $1,200 |
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Plate 454 - PUFFIN - ATLANTIC PUFFIN - 18 x 25 inches, lower margin center 6 inch repair into image, some lower margin losses, mats nicely. $950 |
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