...nothing after all could ever answer my enthusiastic desires to represent nature, than to attempt to copy her in her own way, alive and moving! John James Audubon

{HISTORY}

Here they are... the Birds of America fluttering all about the shop! If you are unfamiliar with his work and this distinctive collection, between the years of 1827-1838, John James Audubon (1785-1851), the world's most famous bird painter, published a series of drawings of over 400 bird species depicted in their natural habitats. Capturing not only the physical characteristics of each bird but also their personality, Audubon's interpretations were nothing but extraordinary then and have remained, over the course of 200 years, equally as enchanting as when they originally debuted. 

In 1953, new plates were made of Audubon's original 1800's era watercolor drawings, copper plates, and aqua-tinted prints and from there, his Birds of America were reprinted in book form by Macmillan Publishing in 1965. This set of Audubon prints offered in the shop are original bookplates from the seventh Macmillan edition published in 1967. Rescued from the brink of destruction,  this midcentury book of beautiful birds was in terrible shape, with missing coverboards, an exposed spine, disintegrating  end-papers and ripped apart pages, but luckily many of the bird prints inside survived.  We are so pleased to be able to offer these gorgeous prints in the shop not only for their stunning beauty but also for their effortlesly classic and elegant contribution to your stylish kitchen decor.   Each print is two sided, featuring two distinct types of birds and both contain ornithological notes on each type of bird. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Bookplate No. 159 - Cardinal (Richmondena Cardinalis) 

- Bookplate No. 160 - Black-Capped Chickadee (Penthestes Atricapillus)

- Includes ornithological information about each bird 

 - Colors include: red, black, avocado green, spring green, grey, mint green, pumpkin, salmon, brown and beige

{CONDITION} 

This bookplate page contains a small wrinkle in the bottom right corner (barely noticeable, especially if framed behind glass). A ragged edge on one side and some light foxing marks on the opposite edge give this book plate a lovely aged patina that adds another layer of history beyond the already remarkable subject matter. 

{SIZE}

Measures 9"inches (width) x 12" inches (length)

{STYLE IDEA}

Create your own botanical wall art collage by combining John James Bird's with other flower prints in the shop here for a stunning garden that blooms all year round!