print room: John James Audubon 

Audubon's fifty best watercolors:
the New-York Historical Society Edition


Plate 30.  Great Egret.  Originally painted by John James Audubon in New Orleans in 1821, this painting of a bird preening its feathers is one of his most visually striking.  Because it does not appear in "The Birds of America," it is less familiar than other images of Audubon.		 minniesland.com, LLC is pleased to offer a fine selection of 50 facsimile prints reproducing some of the outstanding original Audubon watercolors from the collection of the the New-York Historical Society.  Known as the “New-York Historical Society Edition of Audubon’s Fifty Best Watercolors,” these fine digital prints, made by Oppenheimer Editions, LLC, are limited to 200 sets, with 100 to be sold as complete sets and the remaining 100 to be sold as individual prints. 

The original Audubon paintings are among the most important works of art created in 19th century America. They were acquired directly by the New-York Historical Society from Lucy Audubon (John James' widow) in 1863, and have never been (and never will be) on the market since that time. The agreement between Oppenheimer Editions and the N-YHS prohibits the production of another facsimile edition for a minimum of seventy-five years. This exclusive arrangement assures collectors of the rarity of this edition.

This edition therefore represents the first and best opportunity for collectors and institutions to own some of these images as actual-size fine art prints. It will become collectible as an original Audubon print edition. One complete set will be in the collection of the New-York Historical Society. Because of their fragility, the original paintings are rarely seen, and are typically only exhibited for a few weeks out of every decade.  This edition will therefore provide collectors and the public with the best opportunity of seeing these famous images on a more regular basis.


Plate 36. American White Pelican. Another image not appearing in The Birds of America, this bold painting includes a sweeping and dramatic background by George Lehman. 

Each image has been individually sized to match the exact dimensions of the original painting.  Printed on a Somerset 100-percent rag acid-free archival paper (very similar to the paper used in the original watercolors), and printed with water-based dyes that are a virtual match to the original watercolors, these prints recreate the brilliance of Audubon's original paintings. 

Prices begin at $2,500 for individual prints (see list below), with full sets available at substantially reduced per-print costs.  Sets are currently being offered at the outstanding per-print price of $900 each ($45,000 for the set), with set prices increasing until the limitation of 100 sets has been reached.  If interested in a set or an individual print, please contact us for further information.  PRICES ARE CURRENT AS OF MARCH 1, 2008.  ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

THUMBNAIL 
(CLICK FOR LARGER PHOTO)

PLATE NUMBER/TITLE
IMAGE SIZE

 PRICE
Wild_Turkey_001.jpg (105891 bytes)

Pl  1 Wild Turkey, Male - 39 1/4 x 26 1/4 inches

This Wild Turkey was originally painted by John James Audubon at Beechwoods Plantation, Feliciana Parish, Louisiana 1825. When compared to the Havell engraving, the painted bird measures 40 inches from head to talon while the engraved version measures 36 inches.

 $4,800

Wild_Turkey_Hen_006.jpg (118768 bytes)

Pl  6 Wild Turkey, Female and Young
25 1/2 x 38 3/4 inches

Painted by John James Audubon in stages beginning in 1820 during a trip up the Mississippi river. Audubon first rendered the hen in pastel. He added the brood of chicks later using watercolors and then finally completed the background of vegetation in oil paints.

 $2,800
Baltimore_Oriole_012.jpg (108184 bytes) Pl 12 Baltimore Oriole - 25 3/4 x 18 5/8 inches

Audubon began this painting in Louisiana 1822 and completed it in 1825.  Joseph Mason painted part of the background foliage.

 $2,500
Carolina_Turtle_Dove_017.jpg (107034 bytes) Pl 17 Carolina Turtle Dove - 26 5/8 x 19 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon circa 1825 in Louisiana.

 $2,800
Mocking_Bird_021.jpg (113286 bytes) Pl 21 Mocking Bird - 29 3/4 x 20 7/8 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon circa 1825. The rattlesnake was copied from an earlier drawing made at Oakley Plantation, Louisiana in 1821.  This painting excited much criticism and controversy because of Audubon's depiction of the rattlesnake.

 $2,500
Carolina_Parrot_026.jpg (113831 bytes) Pl 26 Carolina Parrot - 29 3/4 x 21 1/4 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon in Louisiana in 1825. Now extinct, the last surviving Carolina Parrot died in 1914 in the Cincinnati Zoological Gardens.

 $3,500
Great_Egret_030.jpg (73523 bytes) Pl 30 Great Egret - 37 1/2 x 25 1/2 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon in New Orleans in 1821. This painting was not included in the "Birds of America". The species was ultimately depicted as Plate 386 (shown below) in a more static, less artistically daring pose.

 $7,500
White-headed_Eagle_031.jpg (81530 bytes) Pl 31 White-headed Eagle - 35 3/8 x 38 1/4 inches

Audubon's first painting of this bird was executed in 1820 on a trip up the Mississippi River. This painting was made in England eight years later, copied from the first and replacing a Canada Goose with a catfish as the prey.

 $2,500
Black-billed_Cuckoo_032.jpg (112612 bytes) Pl 32 Black-billed Cuckoo - 19 3/8 x 24 1/8 inches

Audubon originally painted these cuckoos in 1822 in Louisiana. It is undocumented but Joseph Mason claimed credit for painting the Magnolia. The style in which it is executed supports his claim.

 $2,500
Black_Bellied_Darter_034.jpg (62585 bytes) Pl 34 Black Bellied Darter or Snake Bird
28 1/2 x 20 1/4 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon in New Orleans in 1822, this painting was not included in the "Birds of America" Having spent years in the field observing behavioral characteristics of the various bird species, Audubon often depicted the birds engaged in an activity unique to that species. The version that was published as an engraving depicted the species with their wings extended to dry. This activity must occur before the birds can again take flight after diving for food.

 $2,500
American_White_Pelican_036.jpg (113607 bytes) Pl 36 American White Pelican - 25 3/4 x 38 1/2 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon in 1831 with background by George Lehman. This painting was not included in the "Birds of America." Instead, a different version of the Pelican in profile was used.

 $2,800
Little_Blue_Heron_039.jpg (83216 bytes) Pl 39 - Little Blue Heron - 18 3/8 x 23 1/4 inches

This painting was not included in the "Birds of America." Audubon used a painting showing the bird in profile and with a more elaborate background.

 $2,500
Ruffed_Grouse_041.jpg (116513 bytes) Pl 41 Ruffed Grouse - 25 3/4 x 38 1/8 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon in 1824 either in Pennsylvania or New York.

 $2,500
Red-shouldered_Hawk_056.jpg (99892 bytes) Pl 56 Red-shouldered Hawk - 35 1/8 x 25 1/8 inches

Originally painted by Audubon in Louisiana circa 1826.

 $2,800
Great_Horned_Owl_061.jpg (91305 bytes) Pl 61 Great Horned Owl - 35 1/8 x 24 7/8 inches

John James Audubon painted the male on the right in Henderson Kentucky in 1814. The female was painted separately in 1821 and collaged onto the original painting. The bird on the right appears to have orange colored eyes while the bird on the left has yellow colored eyes. When compared to the Havell engraving, both birds are yellow eyed. Having been painted seven years apart, the pigments of the orange eyed bird probably contain a metallic substance that has oxidized and changed color with age.

 $2,500
Passenger_Pigeon_062.jpg (80495 bytes) Pl 62 Passenger Pigeon - 26 1/4 x 18 1/4 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1824. This bird species, now extinct, was so plentiful in Audubon's day that he wrote in an often quoted passage of his experience in Kentucky in 1813 and it bears repeating: "The air was literally filled with pigeons, the light of noon-day was obscured as if by an eclipse".

 $2,500
Ivory-billed_Woodpecker_066.jpg (80258 bytes) Pl 66 Ivory-billed Woodpecker - 38 x 25 inches

Originally painted in Louisiana before 1826, this species long believed to be extinct, was recently rediscovered in Arkansas igniting a new optimism among conservationists.

 $2,500
Virginia_Partridge_076.jpg (100819 bytes) Pl 76 Virginia Partridge (Bob White Quail)
25 3/4 x 39 1/4 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon circa 1825. The central subject in this painting, the Red-shouldered Hawk is not the species represented in the title.

 $2,500
Osprey_081.jpg (77565 bytes) Pl 81 Osprey - 37 3/4 x 25 1/8 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon at Egg Harbor, New Jersey in 1829. The painting documents, in Audubon's own hand, the start time, 11AM Friday and the completion time, Sunday evening.

 $3,800
Columbia_Jay_096.jpg (88353 bytes) Pl 96 Columbia Jay - 37 1/4 x 24 1/16 inches

Audubon painted this picture in 1829 from specimens that were procured for him. He mistakenly thought they were found by the Columbia River in Oregon, hence the name, "Columbia Jay". The species is, in fact, indigenous to Mexico, still a North American bird.

 $2,500
Raven_101.jpg (94732 bytes) Pl 101 Raven - 35 3/4 x 25 3/8 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon in Pennsylvania in 1829. The shellbark hickory was painted by George Lehman.

 $2,500
Pileated_Woodpecker_111.jpg (101013 bytes) Pl 111 Pileated Woodpecker - 37 3/4 x 25 1/4 inches

Painted circa 1829 in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania

 $2,800
Snowy_Owl_121.jpg (100316 bytes) Pl 121 Snowy Owl - 37 7/8 x 25 5/8 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon on the east coast in 1829, it is one of the few nocturnal scenes found in the "Birds of America".

 $3,000
Meadowlark_136.jpg (115815 bytes) Pl 136 Meadowlark - 36 1/2 x 26 inches

This painting was completed by Audubon in 1829. The bird at the bottom right of the composition was from an earlier drawing and collaged onto the final painting. The foxgloves where the birds nest was painted by George Lehman.

 $2,500
Pinnated_Grouse_186.jpg (113347 bytes) Pl 186 Pinnated Grous - 25 x 35 7/8 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon in 1824. In this painting Audubon authored all three elements, the bird, the botanical and the background. The skill with which the lilies are executed evidences the fact that Audubon used the work of other artists as a practical measure, and not because he lacked artistic ability for subjects other than birds.

 $2,500
Canada_Goose_201.jpg (99929 bytes) Pl 201 Canada Goose - 38 x 25 7/8 inches

The primary goose depicted here was painted in 1821. The picture was completed in Boston in 1833 by collaging the earlier painting to the background with the nest.

 $2,500
Wood_Duck_206.jpg (108457 bytes) Pl 206 Summer or Wood Duck - 38 1/8 x 25 3/4 inches

Originally painted in Louisiana in 1821, Audubon added the female in the nest to the painting in 1825.

 $2,500
Great_Blue_Heron_211.jpg (97722 bytes)  Pl 211 Great Blue Heron - 36 x 25 3/8 inches

Audubon painted the Great Blue Heron in Louisiana in 1821. The foreground was added with oil paint in London shortly before Havell made the engraving.

 $7,500
Wood_Ibis_216.jpg (95932 bytes) Pl 216 Wood Ibis - 38 x 25 3/4 inches

Originally painted by John James Audubon in 1821 probably in Louisiana. The dramatic blue background was added later using oil paints.

 $2,500
Louisiana_Heron_217.jpg (130891 bytes) Pl 217 Louisiana Heron - 21 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches

Audubon observed and probably painted the Louisiana Heron in the Florida Keys. The background painted by George Lehman depicts a scene from that area.

 $3,800
Mallard_221.jpg (118095 bytes) Pl 221 Mallard - 25 5/8 x 38 1/4 inches

Audubon painted these Mallards either in Louisiana or Mississippi between 1821 and 1825. This painting employs the use of gold leaf under the green pigment in the heads of the birds.

 $2,800
Whooping_Crane_226.jpg (97022 bytes) Pl 226 Whooping Crane - 37 1/4 x 25 3/4 inches

Audubon painted this Whooping Crane in New Orleans in 1821. The baby alligators were added in 1822 and the background added some years later.

 $2,500
Long-billed_Curlew_231.jpg (95461 bytes) Pl 231 Long-billed Curlew - 25 x 37 5/8 inches

This painting was executed in 1831 while Audubon was in Charleston, South Carolina. The city of Charleston was painted by George Lehman.

 $2,800
Snowy_Egret_242.jpg (110052 bytes) Pl 242 Snowy Heron - 29 1/4 x 21 1/4 inches

Audubon painted this Egret in 1832 while he was living in Charleston, South Carolina. George Lehman painted the background. It has been speculated that the hunter pictured in the background is Audubon or perhaps one of his friends.

 $4,200
Eider_Duck_246.jpg (88896 bytes) 246 Eider Duck - 25 3/8 x 38 3/8 inches

Audubon painted these three Eider Ducks in Eastport Maine in 1833. The nesting pair are warding off an intruding male.

 $2,500
Brown_Pelican_251.jpg (94248 bytes) Pl 251 Brown Pelican - 37 1/2 x 26 1/8 inches

This Pelican was painted by Audubon in the Florida Keys in 1832. The Mangrove upon which it is perched was painted by George Lehman.

 $2,500
Reddish_Egret_256.jpg (89949 bytes) Pl 256 - Reddish Egret - 25 1/2 x 37 7/8 inches

Audubon painted these Egrets in Florida in 1832. He also painted the background at that time.

 $3,000
Hooping_Crane_261.jpg (92566 bytes) Pl 261 Hooping Crane - 37 7/8 x 25 1/4 inches

Audubon painted this bird from a live specimen in Boston 1831-32. This is an example of his misidentification of a species. The bird is a Sandhill Crane, and not an immature Hooping Crane as he claimed.

 $2,500
Great_White_Heron_281.jpg (88807 bytes)

Pl 281 Great White Heron - 25 3/4 x 38 3/8 inches

Painted by Audubon in Key West in 1832. The town was painted by George Lehman, but the sky and water were executed by Audubon.

 $2,800
Canvasback_Duck_301.jpg (75708 bytes) Pl 301 Canvasback Duck - 23 7/8 x 28 inches

Audubon painted the Male on the left in 1834 while in Baltimore, Maryland. The other two ducks were painted earlier in 1821 in Louisiana. They were later collaged to the first painting. The undefined harbor scene in the background later became Baltimore Harbor in the Havell engraving.

 $2,500
Northern_Diver_306.jpg (102187 bytes) Pl 306 Northern Diver -  25 3/8 x 37 inches

Audubon painted a Loon in 1833 on his expedition to Labrador. It is unclear whether this is that painting.

$2,800
Little_Blue_Heron_307.jpg (109106 bytes) Pl 307 Little Blue Heron - 20 3/8 x 28 7/8 inches

Audubon painted the Little Blue Heron in 1831- 32. The view near Charleston, used as the background, was painted by George Lehman. This version was used in "The Birds of America."

 $3,000
American_White_Pelican_311.jpg (94734 bytes) Pl 311 American White Pelican - 37 x 25 inches

This painting, a second version of the White Pelican and the one included in "The Birds of America" was painted by Audubon either 1831 or 1832 probably in Florida.

 $3,000
Roseate_Spoonbill_321.jpg (77804 bytes) Pl 321 Roseate Spoonbill - 23 1/8 x 35 3/4 inches

The background was painted and loosely sketched in by George Lehman in Florida 1831-1832. Lehman may have supplied Havell with a more finished version separately.

$2,500
Yellow-crowned_Heron_336.jpg (76366 bytes) Pl 336 Yellow-crowned Heron -  35 7/8 x 25 3/8 inches

This painting was executed by John James Audubon in Charleston, South Carolina in 1831. The Smilax vine was painted by Maria Martin.

 $2,500
Gyrfalcon_366.jpg (100727 bytes) Pl 366 Gyrfalcon - 38 1/2 x 25 5/8 inches

Audubon painted these majestic birds in London in 1835 or 1836. He observed and wrote about the Gyr Falcon earlier in 1833 while on his expedition to Labrador.

 $2,500
Great_Egret_386.jpg (98135 bytes) Pl 386 Great Egret - 24 1/4 x 35 1/2 inches

Audubon painted this species three times. This version, the one he included in "The Birds of America" was painted in Charleston in 1832. The neck and head of the subject were painted separately and collaged to the primary painting.

 $2,500
Common_American_Swan_411.jpg (72137 bytes) Pl 411 Common American Swan  - 24 1/4 x 37 3/4 inches

Audubon painted this bird in London in 1838. Two sets of clearly discernable finger prints appear in the sky of the painting at top center and top right. These prints are not dirt smudges but were embedded in the oil paint before it was dry. As no other artist participated in this painting, they are most likely Audubon's finger prints.

 $2,500
Brown_Pelican_Young_421.jpg (91484 bytes) Pl 421 Brown Pelican, Young  - 23 1/2 x 37 inches

Audubon painted this immature Brown Pelican 
in New Orleans in 1821.

 $2,500
American_Flamingo_431.jpg (65780 bytes) Pl 431 American Flamingo - 33 1/4 x 24 1/8 inches

Audubon painted this American Flamingo in London in 1838. The specimen was procured in Cuba and shipped to Audubon.

 $3,000


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Last updated 08.05.08