The Birds of America, from Drawings Made in the United States and Their Territories
New York/Philadelphia: J. J. Audubon/J. B. Chevalier, 1840-1844. Five-hundred hand-colored Lithographs by J. J. Audubon. First Octavo edition, first printing. Bound by Phillip Ringer (signed) for A.C. McClurg in three-quarter green crushed morocco over marbled boards, matching endpapers, gilt rules and spine titles, spine titled in gilt, teg. Octavos. [iv]-viii, [11]-246, [2, blank], [249]-256 (subscriber list); [iv]-[viii], [11]-199, [1, blank], [201]-205 (subscriber list, [1, blank]; [iv]-viii, [9]-233, [1, blank], [1, subscriber list], [3, blank]; [iv]-viii, [9]-321, [1, blank], [1, subscriber list], [3, blank]; [iv]-viii, [9]-346, [1, subscriber list], [3, blank]; [iv]-viii, [9]-457, [1, blank], [1, subscriber list], [3, blank]; [iv]-[x], [9]-360, [361]-371 (Index), [1, blank], [1, subscriber list], [3, blank]. 10.25" x 7" Mild to moderate foxing throughout (most heavily in vv. I-II) affecting text while plates remain clean, text vv. III-VII especially clean and bright; tissue guards present and fine save one missing (pl. 472); 1" thin tape repair p. 42; few inconsequential stains text block edges, not affecting text and plates, spines sunned, touches of shelf wear. Overall a very near fine set. Item #245638
FROM A PROMINENT CHICAGO COLLECTOR
Originally published in the audacious double-elephant folio format from 1827–1838, and comprising 435 life-size, hand-colored engravings after Audubon’s original watercolors, The Birds of America established his reputation as an artist and natural historian and demonstrated demand for a more accessible format that could reach a broader audience in both Britain and America. Audubon therefore undertook the first octavo edition, uniting for the first time his celebrated illustrations with his accompanying text and creating an integrated presentation of his ornithological achievement. It also expanded the series from 435 plates to 500, reflecting new knowledge and discoveries.
Beautifully bound in three-quarter green morocco by Phillip Ringer, the nineteenth-century Chicago master bookbinder whose fine bindings were offered through the deluxe catalogues of A. C. McClurg & Co.
From the library and family of Cyrus Hall McCormick Sr. (1809–1884), according to direct family provenance from whom this set was acquired; each volume bears the large lithographed ownership label “Library of Cyrus H. McCormick,” printed by Shober & Carqueville Lith. Co., Chicago. McCormick’s son and namesake, Cyrus H. McCormick Jr. (1859–1936), president of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and later International Harvester, was himself a noted collector of early Americana.
An exceptionally clean and handsome set, combining one of the landmark editions of American natural history with significant Chicago bookbinding and McCormick-family provenance.
[Sabin 2364; Bennet 5; Zimmer 22].
Price: $100,000.00