John James Audubon Leipzig Ed. Ruffed Grous Print Lithograph Engraving 1972 Germany Birds of America Collection

The Audubon 1st Ed. Octavo Pl. 293 Ruffed Grouse captures Audubon’s seminal imagery on a convenient 10 ¼” × 6 ½” scale.

Initially issued by Audubon as a portable and affordable alternative to his monumental double-elephant folio prints, the Octavo edition remains popular for these same reasons today. Whether displayed individually or as a curated collection, Audubon’s First Edition Octavos add elegance and sophistication to any space. Own an original Audubon today and enrich your environment with this significant piece of American natural history.

About the Birds of America

John James Audubon’s is a highly influential work of American art and ornithological study. The Audubon prints feature detailed illustrations of North American bird species in their natural habitats, portrayed at life-size. Audubon spent two decades on this project, exploring the wilderness of America, gathering specimens, sketching birds, and meticulously documenting his observations.

Audubon’s illustrations are known for their remarkable detail and ability to capture the unique characteristics of each species. To ensure accuracy, he used various methods such as extensive field observation and referencing taxidermy specimens. He also developed a technique of wiring freshly caught birds to a gridded board, allowing him to position them realistically and depict them with precision in terms of scale, color, and movement.

After the success of his Audubon began producing a second, smaller edition of the Birds of America in order to make the publication more affordable and widely available. This miniature edition, often referred to as the contains 500 hand-colored lithographs measuring approximately 6 ½” x 10 ¼”. The 1st edition Octavo Audubon prints were and hand-colored by the studio of J.T. Bowen in Philadelphia from 1839 to 1844. Issued alongside the printed plates, Audubon included portions of his text, the Ornithological Biography, with the Octavo edition. The result was a comprehensive, highly informative work of art that catered to both naturalists and appreciators of art alike.