John James Audubon Leipzig Ed.Western Duck Print Lithograph Engraving 1973 Germany Birds of America Collection

he Audubon 2nd Ed. Octavo Pl. 407 Western Duck 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, the Octavo edition remains popular for these same reasons today. Whether displayed individually or as a curated collection, Audubon’s 2nd 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 Birds of America 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.

The 2nd Octavo Edition

Issued in 1856, the  was published by Audubon’s son, Victor Gifford, in response to the success of the  Many of the 2nd edition octavos contain elements of chromolithography and hand coloring. They can be differentiated from their 1st edition counterparts through the presence of a tinted background.

This miniature edition, often referred to as the, contains 500 lithographs measuring approximately 6 ½” x 10 ¼”. In the printing process, two lithography stones were used; one to delineate the imagery with black ink and the second to create an atmospheric tint, often in blue or green. The prints were then finished with hand-applied color. Issued in phylogenic order with like species grouped together, the 2nd Edition Octavo Audubon Prints were accompanied by Audubon’s text, the Ornithological Biography, which detailed each of the depicted species. The result was a comprehensive, highly informative work of art that catered to both naturalists and appreciators of art alike.