THE VIVIPAROUS QUADRUPEDS OF NORTH AMERICA (1845-48)
In the early 1840's Audubon decided to paint the animals of North America. Having achieved worldwide fame with his "Birds", he joined with his son, John, and Dr. John Bachman of Charleston, S.C. to draw and describe America's quadrupeds. Like the birds, the animal paintings have no equal and are still considered the finest animal prints published in America. Audubon and his sons produced 150 folio drawings, measuring approximately 21 x 27 inches, hand-printed, and hand-colored by J. T. Bowen of Philadelphia. Each print is dated. John and Victor Audubon helped with the drawings with John being credited for many of the later plates as his father's health declined.
The below listed prints are Imperial Folio, First Edition Originals, with excellent color unless noted otherwise. About 300 sets were published.
The collector should bear in mind that while America's animals were discovered over a period of time, going back to the 1600's, they were not described and illustrated in one publication until John J. Audubon and Rev. John Bachman published the Imperial Folio of quadrupeds in the early 1840's. This was a monumental effort - considering that most of the animals are nocturnal. A few of the animals illustrated by Audubon and described by Bachman are so-called "mystery animals" as they are still unidentified. The print collector, besides owning an original Audubon print, will also possess a unique piece of American history. In addition, this process - a hand-colored stone lithograph - is an exquisite art form, never to be seen again due to what would be an exorbitant cost in today's world.
To our knowledge, for the first time on the internet, the Audubon/Bachman names of the animals are accompanied by the common names used by mammalogists today when they differ from those used in the 1800's.
(Twenty-two of the prints on this list (those marked with an asterisk*) were part of an exhibition titled JOHN JAMES AUDUBON IN THE WEST - THE LAST EXPEDITION - Mammals of North America. This exhibition was originated by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, where it opened on June 23, 2000. The exhibit then appeared at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, October 29, 2000 until January 21, 2001; the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, TX, March 24 until May 28, 2001, and finally at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Los Angeles, CA, June 23 until September 10, 2001. A book titled AUDUBON IN THE WEST was published to accompany these exhibitions, and photos of some of the prints appear in the book. Thus, these particular prints have a special provenance in that they were exhibited in prominent museums. The Certificate of Authenticity which is given with each print will refer to this exhibition in those cases where the print was used. Ed Kenney.)
Following are some reference books on Audubon's animals. Obviously, many books have been written on his birds and animals and are easily found in libraries or on the internet:
Boehme, Sarah - John James Audubon in the West: The Last Expedition, to accompany exhibits at Buffalo Bill Museum, Cody, Wyoming, and three other museum shows, Abrams Press, 2000
Cahalane, Victor - The Imperial Collection of Audubon Animals, Hammond, Inc., 1967
Ford, Alice - John James Audubon: A Biography, Abbeville Press, 1988
Ford, Alice - Audubon's Animals: The Quadrupeds of North America, New York Studio, 1951
Krammer, William - Audubon's Quadrupeds of North America, Wellfleet Press, 1989
McDermott, John - Audubon in the West, University of Oklahoma Press, 1965
Peterson, Roger Tory - The Art of Audubon: the Complete Birds and Mammals, New York Times Books, 1979
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Following is a list of the plates:
Plate 2 - WOODCHUCK OR GROUNDHOG - Important animal, family group, near stream. $2,750
Plate 3 - ROCKY MOUNTAIN HARE (WHITE-TAILED JACK RABBIT) - Classic image of this important animal. One of the most popular quadruped prints. $7,200 SOLD
Plate 3 - ROCKY MOUNTAIN HARE (WHITE-TAILED JACK RABBIT) (second copy) - Margin restoration, good color. $3,750
Plate 5 - RICHARDSON'S COLUMBIAN SQUIRREL (RED SQUIRREL) - Beautiful composition of two Red Squirrels on birch tree trunk. Occurs from Arctic Circle south (in the mountains) to northern South Carolina and southern New Mexico. Dated 1842. $3,500
Plate 7 - CAROLINA GREY SQUIRREL (EASTERN GREY SQUIRREL) - Two squirrels in sycamore tree, very decorative, one of early quad prints. SOLD
Plate 8 - EASTERN CHIPMUNK (CHIPPING SQUIRREL) - Important animal, nice condition, an early Audubon plate. Measures 21 3/4 x 27 3/4. $4,500
Plate 9 – PARRY’S MARMOT SQUIRREL (ARCTIC GROUND SQUIRREL) – . Dated 1843. $1,250
Plate 10 - COMMON AMERICAN SHREW MOLE (EASTERN MOLE) - One of the most interesting landscapes in all of Audubon's quadruped series, it is found throughout the U. S. Note waterfall and farmer plowing in field. $1,400
Plate 13 – MUSK RAT – Family group near water. Important aquatic animal. Dated 1843. $1,500
Plate 19 - SOFT-HAIRED SQUIRREL (DOUGLAS' SQUIRREL) - Two squirrels in a tree, balanced composition. Occurs north from San Francisco Bay and inland south past Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada. $2,750
Plate 22 - GREY RABBIT (COTTONTAIL) - Common rabbit in family setting. $8,700
Plate 24 - FOUR-STRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (COLORADO CHIPMUNK) – Very nice landscape with squirrels reaching for blue and red berries. Dated 1843. $2,750*
Plate 25 - DOWNY SQUIRREL (RED SQUIRREL) - Two western squirrels. Dated 1843. Some margin damage. $1,400
Plate 26 - WOLVERINE - Stunning composition of this important and threatened animal - mascot, Michigan University football team. Framed to museum standards, dated 1834. Margin restoration. $3,750
Plate 27 - LONG-HAIRED SQUIRREL (UNKNOWN SPECIES) - Squirrels in fall foliage, currently named Douglas' Chickaree. Dated 1843. $2,500
Plate 29 – ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEOTOMA ( BUSHY-TAILED WOOD RAT) – Two large neotomas in rocky landscape. Margin damage. Dated 1843. $500*
Plate 30 - COTTON RAT - Eating sweet potato in field near farm house and rice field. $3,000
Plate 35 - MIGRATORY SQUIRREL (EASTERN GREY SQUIRREL) - Important squirrel, dated 1844. $1,800
Plate 39 - LEOPARD SPERMOPHILE (THIRTEEN-LIVED GROUND SQUIRREL) - Nice landscape setting for these important ground critters, 21 x 27 inches. In excellent condition with barely noticeable crimping at top edge. $2,500
Plate 40 - WHITE FOOTED MOUSE - An abundant species found all over U.S. Dated 1843. $2,750
Plate 41 - PENNANTS MARTIN OR FISHER - Good image of this important animal. Dated 1844. $2,500
Plate 44 – CANADA POUCHED RAT (PLAINS POCKET GOPHER) – Family group on bank with flowers. Dated 1844. $500*
Plate 45 - WILSON'S MEADOW MOUSE (MEADOW MOLE) - Very nice landscape. Dated 1844. $650
Plate 49 – CALIFORNIA GROUND SQUIRREL (DOUGLAS SPERMOPHILE) - Minor margin tears. Dated 1844. $1,200 *
Plate 50 – RICHARDSON’S SPERMOPHILE (GROUND SQUIRREL) – Two squirrels in mountain setting. Dated 1844. $950*
Plate 51 - CANADA OTTER (RIVER OTTER) - One of Audubon's most dramatic images, obviously a favorite with him as he duplicated it in oil and sold copies in England and the U. S. The more appropriate name is River Otter, as it is mostly found in rivers and also not limited to Canada. The trap serves as a good reminder of our duty to protect our fauna. $4,950
Plate 53 – TEXAN SKUNK (HOG-NOSED SKUNK) – Now named hog-nosed or white-backed skunk. Nice color, margin losses. Dated 1845. $3,800*
Plate 59 – WHITE STOUT WEASEL (LONG-TAILED WEASEL) – Two weasels near stump with grass background. Dated 1845. $1,200
Plate 62 - ELK - Major animal, has extensive restoration, some margin repairs visible, one in image near Elk's head. A $25,000 print if perfect. $1,800
Plate 64 - LITTLE AMERICAN BROWN WEASEL (ERMINE) - Two weasels on rocks, woods in background. Dated 1845. French mat. $1,200*
Plate 65 - LITTLE HARVEST MOUSE - Classic Audubon mice in cornfield. $3,200
Plate 68 - FOX SQUIRREL - One of the top prints, three Fox Squirrels, black, red and grey. Good condition and color. $12,000
Plate 69 - COMMON STAR-NOSE MOLE – Nice river scene with sailboats in distance. Dated 1845. $350*
Plate 70 - SAY'S LEAST SHREW (SHORT-TAILED SHREW) – Widely distributed in U.S. Colorful setting. Dated 1845. $750
Plate 71 - PRAIRIE WOLF - Very nice color, conservation of margin tears, dated 1845. $5,750 SOLD
Plate 74 – BREWER’S SHREW MOLE (HAIRY-TAILED MOLE) – Flowers in foreground, town in background. Dated 1845. $650*
Plate 75 - CAROLINA SHREW (SHORT-TAILED SHREW) - Three specimens. Dated 1845. $750*
Plate 78 - BLACK-TAILED DEER (MULE DEER) - Audubon shown as hunter in background. Dated 1845. $4,500
Plate 79 - ANNULATED MARMOT SQUIRREL (RING-TAILED GROUND SQUIRREL) - Sent to Audubon by Spencer Baird. Dated 1845. $950*
Plate 80 - LECONTES PINE MOUSE ((PINE VOLE) - A Western field species. Dated 1845. $650*
Plate 82 - RED TEXAN WOLF - Very important animal, several small margin tears, 21 x 27 inches. Wolf shown along stream with cattle horn in foreground. $7,500
Plate 83 - LITTLE CHIEF HARE - Very clean, nice image and setting, framed. Dated 1846. SOLD
Plate 84 - FRANKLIN'S GROUND SQUIRREL - One of my favorite of all of Audubon's animal prints. Indian war party in right background and Indian village in center background. This critter is found from western Indiana and Kansas to Saskatchewan. Dated 1846. $2,750
Plate 84 - FRANKLIN'S GROUND SQUIRREL (second copy) - Same as above except for heavy stain in the left corner. Mats out nicely. Dated 1846. $850
Plate 85 – JUMPING MOUSE (MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE) – Nice field scene with mice in foreground and fenced land in rear. Dated 1846. $450*
Plate 88 - WORMWOOD HARE OR NUTTALL'S COTTONTAIL - A rather unique species found in western United States. $3,750
Plate 89 - SAY'S SQUIRREL (FOX SQUIRREL) - Nice setting with cabin. Later identified as one of our fox squirrels. $2,600
Plate 94 - NUTTALL'S HARE - Two small hares shown in interesting landscape. A few margin tears and nicks, 21 x 27 inches. $3,500
Plate 95 - ORANGE-COLORED MOUSE (GOLDEN MOUSE) - Lovely lake setting. $950
Plate 98 - RING-TAILED BASSARIS (CAT) – Important Texas animal. Dated 1846. $3,500 SOLD
Plate 99 - PRAIRIE DOG – Important animal. Dated 1846. $3,500
Plate 100 - MISSOURI MOUSE (NORTHERN GRASSHOPPER MOUSE) - Western mouse. Mat burn. Dated 1846. $850*
Plate 103 - HOARY MARMOT - WHISTLER – Margin losses and staining – would mat out. Dated 1846. $900
Plate 104 - COLLIE'S SQUIRREL - Two squirrels in tree, drawn by John W. Audubon. Range southern Texas and Mexico. $850
Plate 105 – COLUMBIA POUCHED RAT (NORTHERN POCKET GOPHER) – River and mountains in background. Dated 1846. $750*
Plate 106 - COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER - Excellent condition and color, major western area quadruped, 21 3/4 x 27 3/4 inches, dated 1847. $7,500
Plate 107 - LEWIS' MARMOT (YELLOW-BELLIED MARMOT) - Impressive animal, with large green vine in background. $1,200
Plate 109 - CALIFORNIA MARMOT SQUIRREL (MEXICAN GROUND SQUIRREL) - Mountain setting with cactus in foreground. Dated 1847. $1,200
Plate 110 – MOLE-SHAPED POUCHED RAT ( NORTHERN POCKET GOPHER) – Lake Scene. Dated 1847. $500*
Plate 112 - CALIFORNIAN HARE (BLACK-TAILED JACK RABBIT) – This striking animal shown with cactus. One minor repair. Dated 1847. $5,500*
Plate 113 - ESKIMO DOG - Stunning portrait of this domestic work dog with wonderful Alaskan lodge, natives and harnessed dog in background. $6,500
Plate 115 – YELLOW-CHEEKED MEADOW MOUSE (YELLOW-CHEEKED MOLE) – Margin losses. Dated 1847. $350
Plate 118 - LONG-TAILED DEER (COLUMBIA WHITE-TAILED DEER) - Stunning image of this deer in a mid-air jump, 18 1/2 x 26 1/2 inches, dated 1847. Very decorative. $6,500
Plate 120 – TAWNY'S/BACK’S LEMMING (BROWN LEMMING) - Beautiful landscape of mountains, grass. Dated 1847. $450*
Plate 123 – SEWELLEL (MOUNTAIN BEAVER) – Lake and mountain scene with Sewellel sitting on rock outcropping. Dated 1847. $1,800
Plate 124 – MEXICAN MARMOT SQUIRREL (MEXICAN GROUND SQUIRREL) – Nice landscape. Dated 1847. $750
Plate 125 – AMERICAN MARSH SHREW (WATER VOLE) – Lovely scene of lake and landscape. Colors excellent. Very decorative. Corner crease. Dated 1847. $1,200
Plate 128 - ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT - Stunning color with animal on rocky slope in mountain setting. Eyes, horns and fur stand out in this image issued by Audubon in 1847. $8,500 SOLD
Plate 129 – NORTHERN MEADOW MOUSE (NORTHERN BOG LEMMING) – Print mis-numbered. Nice condition. Dated 1848. $950*
Plate 130 – POUCHED JEROBA MOUSE (PHILLIPS KANGAROO RAT) – A species found on Western plains. Dated 1847. $450
Plate 138 - PINE MARTEN - Brilliant color on animal and landscape - a striking print. Marten shown natural size on this 21 x 27 in. print issued by Audubon in 1848. $2,750
Plate 141 - BLACK BEAR - Major print of this important American animal. Excellent color and condition. $14,500 SOLD
Plate 142 – CAMAS RAT (NORTHERN POCKET GOPHER) – Family group on seashore. Dated 1848. $950*
Plate 144 – TOWNSEND’S AND SHARP-NOSED ARICOLA, BANK RAT (MARSH RICE RAT) – Beautiful plains scene with mountains and birds. Dated 1848. $750
Plate 145 – TOWNSEND’S SHREW MOLE – Expansive landscape and good color. Dated 1848. $650
Plate 146 - NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO - perfect condition and color, 21 x 27 inches. A major print of this interesting animal which is expanding its territory east. Color is as good as I have seen on this image. $18,000 SOLD
Plate 146 - ARMADILLO - Important animal, good color, restoration. $4,500
Plate 147 – AMERICAN SOUSLIK, OREGON MEADOW MOUSE AND TEXAS MEADOW MOUSE - Very nice. Dated 1848. $850
Plate 148 - TAWNY WEASEL - Male shown natural size attacking chicken with barn and farm yard scene in background. Great color. Issued by Audubon in 1848. $2,750
Plate 149 – FREMONT AND SOOTY SQUIRREL (RED SQUIRREL) - Two squirrels in tree. A red squirrel species collected in Rocky Mountains, named after the explorer. Dated 1848. Some foxing. $1,200
Plate 150 – SOUTHERN POUCHED RAT, DEKAY’S SHREW, LONG-NOSED SHREW AND SILVERY SHREW MOLE (SOUTHEASTERN OR BACHMAN'S SHREW) - Nice grouping. Dated 1848. $750
FACSIMILES OF AUDUBON'S QUADRUPEDS
These are high-quality facsimiles of the folio animals measuring 22 x 28 inches, issued in early 1970s by Southart Parkway, in photo-offset color on rag paper. Limited to 750 copies, these fine facsimiles are excellent choices for decorating your home or office. The originals sell for as much as $30,000.
Plate 21 – Grey Fox - $300
Plate 22 – Grey Rabbit - $250
Plate 31 – Collard Peccary - $200
Plate 61 – Raccoon - $200
Plate 82 – Texas Wolf - $150
Plate 86 - Ocelot - $250
Plate 89 – Say’s Squirrel - $150
Plate 101 – Jaguar - $250
Plate 133 – Texas Hare - $200
Plate 136 – Common Deer - $250
Plate 146 – Armadillo - $250