new edition of a classic 

Waldemar H. Fries
The Double Elephant Folio: The Story of Audubon's Birds of America

In November 2005, one of the most important books ever published on Audubon's Bird's of America came back into print. Often called "the Bible of Audubon scholars," The Double Elephant Folio: The Story of Audubon's Birds of America was re-published after more than 30 years. This important book details the creation of The Birds of America from 1826-1839 and provides information concerning original subscribers and the provenance of all sets known to exist in 1973. The text of the 2005 edition, though identical to the original printing, includes an additional appendix updating the provenance of the sets, both complete and incomplete, currently known to exist. The new appendix was researched and written by Susanne M. Low, author of A Guide to Audubon's Birds of America and an associate in the Department of Ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History.

While the first edition of Fries' classic has long been out of print and with prices ranging from $300 to $800 when available, the 2005 edition of The Double Elephant Folio is now affordable at $84.95 (plus $8.95 shipping and handling). The 2005 edition, with 523 pages including 41 pages of illustrations, is cloth bound with a sewn binding and dust jacket. (ISBN: 0-9770829-0-3)

minniesland.com, LLC is not selling this book, but encourages you to buy it directly from the publisher.  To order, send check or money order to Zenaida Publishing, 25 Station Road, Amherst, MA 01002.  For multiple copy discounts and reduced shipping charges for those orders, call the head of Zenaida, Christopher Small, at 413-687-2752. 

PRAISE FOR THE NEW EDITION

"A lively and fascinating source of information on John James Audubon's efforts to produce the finest work of all time on American birds is now back in print and updated. I found it invaluable."
Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of  John James Audubon: The Making of an American

"One can only be astounded by the amount of sheer hard work that went into this book. In the days before the internet and email, and before inexpensive long distance, Waldemar Fries wrote letters, kept files, conducted interviews, made notes and traveled the globe for 16 years
in an effort to find and describe every intact copy of Audubon's magnificent Birds of America. Fries' efforts resulted in an invaluable and comprehensive reference on Audubon's great work."
Bill Steiner, Author of Audubon Art Prints: A Collector's Guide to Every Edition

"Waldemar H. Fries was an indefatigable researcher who set the standard for John James Audubon scholarship with his Double Elephant Folio. I have found it an indispensable reference in my research and am pleased to see that Susanne Low has brought it up to date with a new appendix. The Double Elephant Folio is essential to anyone interested in Audubon's masterpiece."
Ron Tyler, Author of Audubon's Great National Work : The Royal Octavo Edition of The Birds of America

Last updated 02.28.09