Audubon’s first edition of Birds of America “Great American White Egret” Hand Colored Lithograph

Audubon, James

First Edition

AUDUBON, James. Great American White Egret. No. 74; PL. 370. Great American White Egret, Plate 370 (Bowen Edition). Approximately 10.25" x 6.5". Drawn from nature by J. J. Audubon, printed and hand-colored by J. T. Bowen, Philadelphia. From the first octavo edition of Birds of America published from 1840 to 1844. New York and Philadelphia: J. J. Audubon and J. B. Chevalier, 1839-44. Captioned “Drawn From Nature by J.J. Audubon F.R.S.F.L.S. 1 Male, Spring Plumage 2. Horned Agama Tapayaxin of Hermandes”. Single disbound leaf. 10 x 6 ½ inches. Prints from Birds of America are amongst the most sought after and collectible of hand-colored American prints. The first edition was the only one to be completed using strictly hand-coloring. John James Audubon (1785-1851) is perhaps the most famous of early American naturalists. He devoted himself to an unprecedented project: to become the first person to complete the seemingly insurmountable task of documenting all the bird life of North America. Overall in good condition: Light to moderate toning; right edge uneven as a result of removal, offsetting from text on the verso, otherwise colors remain vivid. Audubon confessed that the Great Egret was “the most dificult to Imitate of any Bird I have Yet undertaken.”.

Item #17227

Price: $885.00