Plate CLXXXII (Ground Dove) The Birds of America. London: Robert Havell, 1827-38. $6,800.00

Plate CLXXXII Ground Dove Columba Passerina Male Female & Young. Wild Orange.

The Birds of America is the work that established John James Audubon (1785-1851) as the greatest 19th century American natural history artist. It is the single most important work on American ornithology. It depicted with great artistry and magnificent detail every bird known to exist in North America. This magnificent engraving is from the first edition, the first ten plates of which were engraved and hand colored by W.H. Lizars and the remaining 425 by Robert Havell, and published between 1827 and 1838. These wonderful original prints were printed on the finest quality paper in a sheet size large enough to depict even the largest birds in their true. For this reason, this work is often referred to as the "Elephant Folio." It is estimated that there were only 180 complete sets of the work produced. It is exceedingly rare to find examples of these large prints in condition as fine as this example.

Full sheet measuring 24 7/8 x 37 7/8 inches.
Paper with watermark in lower left "J. Whatman Turkey Mill 1833"
Hand colored copperplate engraving with aquatint, top and bottom margins have been folded to fit into its existing frame.
Excellent condition.
Note: This engraving has been framed to museum specifications with ultraviolet screening Plexiglas in an antiqued gold frame.