Prints: Audubon's Folio Birds
Havell Edition (1827-1838)
Doubtless, the reader will say, while looking at the seven figures of Parakeets represented in the plate, that I spared not my labour. I never do, so anxious am I to promote his pleasure. -- John James Audubon |
In this area we offer the best known of Audubon's original prints -- the large and famous bird prints from the Havell Edition (hand-colored etchings with engraving and aquatint, published 1827-1838). Because of the difficulties involved in photographing large prints, shadow and uneven lighting affect many of the photos below. If you are interested in a print, please ask for a condition report.
If there is a specific print you want that you don't see here, or you are thinking of buying a Havell but don't know what you want, please get in touch. I can find you any print, or help you decide which print will work best for you.
All prints with full watermark unless noted. Sheet measurements given in most cases; if listed only as a "full sheet," then measuring in the range of 37 to 39 inches by 25-26 inches. All items are one of a kind and subject to prior sale. Please visit the ordering page to review policies and terms of sale. Current bird names (if substantially different) noted in square brackets.
Click the thumbnails below for larger images. More photos and full condition information available upon request.
PL 12 Baltimore Oriole. Trimmed in height, sheet measures 33-1/2 x 24-3/4 inches. Watermarked J WHATMAN TURKEY MILL 1835. Very good color on birds, fair color on poplar flowers. $8500.
PL 16 Great-footed Hawk. Peregrine Falcon, Gadwall and Green-winged Teal. Some repairs. Sheet 38-1/4 by 25-1/4 inches. J WHATMAN 1831. $9000.
PL51 Red-tailed Hawk. Great color. Repairs. Sheet extended to restore missing plate and part number, and the tip of the top bird's tail. Now measures 37-1/2 x 25 inches. Watermarked J WHATMAN Turkey Mill 1831. $4800.
PL 17 Carolina Pigeon or Turtle Dove. [Mourning Dove in Stewartia]. Full sheet measuring 38 x 25-1/2 inches. Watermarked J WHATMAN 1830. Positively beautiful. PRICE ON REQUEST.
PL22 Purple Martin. Four birds with a gourd. Full
sheet measuring 38 x 25-3/8 inches, sheet watermarked J WHATMAN TURKEY MILL 1827. SOLD
PL 26 Carolina Parrot [in Common Cocklebur]. The only parrot native to North America, now extinct. Sheet 35-7/8 by 25-1/2 inches. Watermark J WHATMAN TURKEY MILL 1827. SOLD.
PL 62 Passenger Pigeon. Now extinct, this bird was once the most numerous in North America. Measuring 38-3/4 by 25-3/4 inches, watermark J WHATMAN
TURKEY MILL 1828. PRICE UPON REQUEST.
PL
64 Swamp Sparrow [on May-apple]. Although he painted the bird, Audubon directed Havell to credit the art to his wife. Full Whatman sheet
with printer's crease in far right margin. SOLD
PL65 Rathbone Warbler [Yellow Warbler on Cross-vine]. Measuring 38-1/4 x 25-5/8 inches on J WHATMAN 1831. $3500
PL191 Willow Grouse. Proud parents and their adorable chicks. Beautiful color. Sheet 38-1/8 x 25-3/4 inches with watermark J WHATMAN 1836. $18000
PL 291 Herring Gull. Florida background with Raccoon Oysters and entrance to St Augustine. 38-1/4 by 25-1/2 inches with watermark J WHATMAN 1836. $22000.
PL 326 Gannet (Northern Gannet). Gannet Rock (Rocher-aux-Margaulx), Gulf of St. Lawrence. Top remargined to restore missing part number. 38-1/4 x 25-1/2 inches on J WHATMAN TURKEY MILL 1838. $8500.
Plate 402 Black-throated Guillemot [from left - Ancient Murrelet, male & female, Least Auklet, Crested Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet with Alaska background]. Measuring 37-3/4 x 24-1/2 inches, J WHATMAN TURKEY MILL 1837. $7,500. Original Webber folio print (shown right) included.
After John Webber, View of Snug Corner Cove in Prince William's Sound, engraved by W. Ellis. From the atlas volume of Captain Cook's A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, published London by G. Nicol and T. Cadell, 1784. This print, the inspiration for Robert Havell's background, included with PL 402.
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where 18xx is the year the paper was made (1825 to 1838). The Turkey Mill watermark is located at the edge of the sheet, while the Whatman watermark is more towards the middle. Because it is on the far edge of the paper, the Turkey Mill watermark is more likely to be trimmed. On occasion the mark is found slightly trimmed (for example, the bottom of the year missing) even when the sheet is what is considered to be full width.
