We are australias only specialist auctioneers of books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, prints and historical artworks. Please note, this auction will be open exclusively for online bidding and absenteephone bidding directly with our gallery. In fine bird books, sacheverell sitwell proclaimed that there is nothing in the world of fine books quite like the first discovery of audubon. The sale was led by the birds of america 182738, four monumental volumes of 435 handcolored aquatint plates depicting all of the thenknown species of birds found in the united states. Christies much anticipated sale of john james audubons birds of america hasjust concluded within the pastcouple of hours. Considered the artists greatest triumph, the oversized fourvolume set that contains 435 handcolored prints of his watercolor drawings, published at great personal expense between 1827 and 1838, is the kind of rare book owned only by institutions and one percenters. Birds of america john james audubon bauman rare books. National book auctions is a public auction service specializing in books, ephemera, stamps and art. The book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. Bowen in 18401844 size is approximately 6 12 x 10 inches genuine audubon lithograph blue mountain warbler male pl. This will be a live auction with online live and absentee bidding available. New england book auctions is the only fulltime auction gallery in new england dedicated to the sale of rare books and related materials. I would recommend them for any individual or organization interested in purchasing single collectible books or shelflots of sorted high caliber books.
In its 576 pages, the book covers the birds of north america very well. Since our foundation in 1999, aba has become the leading auction house for books and related properties in australia and one of. Bonhams americas encompasses a multinational network of salesrooms, offices and representatives throughout north america. First edition of the birds of america by john james audubon, done by the philadelphia firm of j. American book prices current the new york public library. Birds of america by john james audubon sets booksale. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. The birds of america from drawings made in the united states and their territories. His birthday was in 45 days and so i sent him a copy of his own. National book auctions books ephemera art currency.
The auction house is designed to make the most of an underserved market, offering increased marketing attention and fair prices for rare and valuable books that might otherwise go unnoticed and undervalued. Discover a unique part of the world rich in wildlife, geology and human history with this extraordinary book. There are three books from art at auction in america, 1991,1992 and 1994 a comprehensive uptodate annual art price guide to over 10,000 artist and 20,000 works of art sold published by krexpress. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to.
Reuters a first edition of john james audubons the birds of america, one of the most celebrated books of natural history, is going up for auction in new york in june and could fetch up to. Australian book auctions is australias premier auction house for rare books, manuscripts, and historical and literary properties. The lifes work of both a lover and observer of birds and nature. Each book shelf is made from stainless steel and has a sliding glass door for storage. The books range from special, limited editions to large groups of excellent dealer and reading stock.
Citizens of the feathered tribe audubons the birds of america offered in a dedicated sale in new york on 14 june, this exceptional example of the most valuable illustrated book ever produced and an icon of american art was sold to benefit environmental causes the two lanky purple herons appear to be deep in conversation. An employee poses with a page depicting a snowy owl, from john james audubons book birds of america during a photocall for the frederick, 2nd. To participate in this sale please call the bids department. This auction will include over 1,000 books and more than 100 lots of interesting ephemera from area estates and consignments. Start your new year with our excellent february collector sale. One of the most valuable natural history books ever published, it shows. National book auctions is a specialist auction house focusing almost exclusively on rare and collectible books since the 1990s. Audubons birds of america, the worlds most expensive. National book auctions was a wonderful find for our residential livinglearning community library.
Macmillan co publisher with lithographs by duenewald printing. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction in new york city. This book explores the seven oceanic islands groups to the south of new zealand from the chatham islands to the bounty, antipodes, campbell, auckland, the snares and macquarie islands. Christies auctions first edition of audubons the birds. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds of america with the same or similar title. At sothebys auction house in london, up on the block was audubons masterpiece, the birds of america, one of the largest and rarest books in. Arader galleries hosts five auctions a year offering a selection of natural history material, important maps and atlases, rare books, watercolors, oil paintings and works relating to discovery and exploration.
The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. My grandson was visiting and he got hold of my copy of this book he was 4 at the time and was wanting to take it home with him. I have owned a birds of north america for over twenty years and have had to use it many times. National book auctions freeville, ny bid online at. 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.
Most field guides that i have read have been a mere 200 to 300 pages, but here we have 576 pages of birds in all. Not all of the specimens illustrated in the work were collected by audubon himself, some were sent to him by john kirk townsend who had collected them. Stamp auction network north american auction calendar. One of the few privately owned copies of john james audubons richly illustrated birds of america sold for 7. It is the most important natural history book for america, he said. The birds of america from original drawings by john james. The last full edition of the birds of america, which went up for auction in 2010, sold for. The worlds most expensive book is poised to break a new sale record friday. Birds of america by john james audubon, hardcover barnes. A copy of one of the most soughtafter books on birds ever created is up for auction at. All successful registrations for this sale will show under the auctions section of myaccount. Audubons birds of america has long been regarded as one of the greatest books ever produced and perhaps the greatest contribution ever made of art in the service of science. We were able to fill our shelves with quality books for students use at a very affordable price. The book has a large printtype, making reading easier, and very beautiful pictures of the various birds covered.
Po box 470, sunderland, ma 075, usa 4 6653253 4 6658790. A copy of john james audubons early19thcentury illustrated birds of america sold in london tonight for 7. Rare copy of audubons birds of america for sale science. While the show has been rescheduled, this auction will take place as scheduled. A collection of american art, auction or collection books and booklets. Another copy of john james audubons birds of america set the world record price in 2011. Cherrystone auctions rare stamps and postal history of the world may 12, 2020 our may 12, 2020 sale was prepared in anticipation of london 2020 world stamp exhibition. John james audubons birds of america holds the record as the worlds most expensive book. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. Audubons birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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. Inspired by their families, their work, their neighborhoods, or even their faith, this diverse group of unsung and often unknown artists all. Sloans public auction march 1618, 1984 sale 755 publisher c.
American art, auctions and collection books and booklets. There is an important collection of great britain and british commonwealth, with many individual colonies offered intact. Folk art is the work of country farmers, homemakers, school girls, merchants, blacksmiths, immigrant laborers, and even slaves who, with untrained hands, turned utilitarian objects into things of beauty. The auction will take place on saturday february 8th, 2020 at 10am. This lot was sold for 3,525,000 usd, setting a new record for an. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month. Our auctions are open to the public and also incorporate online absentee bidding prior to and. American book prices current contains annual records of books, manuscripts, autographs, maps, and broadsides sold at auction in north america, the united kingdom, germany, holland, australia, and other locations, for the auction years starting with 1975. Upcoming auctions archives north american auction company.