Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

John James Audubon
Male Whooping Crane: An Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph

1840-1844

About the Item

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored 1st octavo edition lithograph entitled "Whooping Crane, Male, adult", No. 63, Plate 313 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed and colored by JT Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1840-1844. The lithograph depicts an adult male whooping crane standing on the bank of a river, reaching for a lizard with its beak. There is a beautiful landscape in the background. This hand-colored Audubon bird octavo-size lithograph sheet measures 10" x 6.25". There are just a few tiny faint spots in the margins. The print is otherwise in excellent condition. It includes the original text pages, 189-197, from Audubon's 19th century publication. John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a naturalist and artist. He was initially unsuccessful financially prior to the publication of his famous work “The Birds of America”, spending time in debtor’s prison, once stabbing a disgruntled investor in self-defense. However, his obsession with birds and art motivated him to persist in his goal of documenting every bird in America via his watercolor paintings and publishing his works for all to enjoy. Audubon's first illustrations were published in a large elephant folio size. Due to their expense they were purchased in rather small numbers by the wealthy. To reach a larger audience, Audubon, with the help of his sons and J. T. Bowen, published a smaller octavo sized lithograph version, which were much more affordable. With the success of his bird projects, Audubon then turned his attention to four-legged animals. He explored the Missouri River in 1843 sketching the four-legged animals he encountered in their natural setting. His expedition covered some of the same regions recently explored by Lewis and Clark, traveling from present day Alaska to Mexico. Audubon realized that this was an opportunity to document these animals in the still relatively pristine American wilderness, before man encroached on their environment. Between 1845 and 1848, Audubon and his sons John Woodhouse Audubon and Victor Gifford Audubon produced a set of elephant folio sized lithographs that were primarily engraved and hand colored by J. T. Bowen in Philadelphia. The publication, which included text descriptions of the animals was published 3 years before Audubon died. As with the birds, this was followed by a three-volume set of 155 octavo-sized plates entitled “The Quadrupeds of North America” completed and published by Audubon’s sons, John, Jr. and Victor. Audubon prints continue to be popular and a wise investment. The double elephant folio set “The Birds of America” have sold at auction for as much as $8.8 million, and individual plates may sell for six figures. The beautiful octavo sized plates are not as expensive, but becoming more sought after, as the folio bird plates become unattainable to all but the very wealthy.
  • Creator:
    John James Audubon (1785-1851, American, French)
  • Creation Year:
    1840-1844
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Width: 6.25 in (15.88 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Alamo, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: # 46881stDibs: LU117328579472
More From This SellerView All
  • "Pinnated Grouse", an Original Audubon Hand-colored First Edition Lithograph
    By After John James Audubon
    Located in Alamo, CA
    An original extremely collectible first octavo edition John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "Pinnated Grouse", No. 60, Pl. 296, from Audubon's "Birds of A...
    Category

    Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • "Bald Eagle", an Original Audubon Hand-colored First Edition Lithograph
    By After John James Audubon
    Located in Alamo, CA
    An original rare and extremely collectible first octavo edition John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "White-headed Sea Eagle or Bald Eagle", No. 3, Plate ...
    Category

    Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • "Washington Sea Eagle": An Original Audubon Hand-colored Lithograph
    By After John James Audubon
    Located in Alamo, CA
    This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "Washington Sea Eagle", No. 3, Plate 13, from Audubon's "Birds of America". It was lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1856-1871. It depicts an adult male sea eagle perched on a rock. This is an excerpt from Audubon's own description of this magnificent eagle, which includes how he came up with the name "Washington Sea Eagle": "The name which I have chosen for this new species of Eagle, “The Bird of Washington,” may, by some, be considered as preposterous and unfit; but as it is indisputably the noblest bird of its genus that has yet been discovered in the United States, I trust I shall be allowed to honour it with the name of one yet nobler, who was the saviour of his country, and whose name will ever be dear, to it. To those who may be curious to know my reasons, I can only say, that, as the new world gave me birth and liberty, the great man who ensured its independence is next to my heart. He had a nobility of mind, and a generosity of soul, such as are seldom possessed. He was brave, so is the Eagle; like it, too, he was the terror of his foes; and his fame, extending from pole to pole, resembles the majestic soarings of the mightiest of the feathered tribe...
    Category

    Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • "American Oyster Catcher": An Original Audubon Hand-colored Lithograph
    By After John James Audubon
    Located in Alamo, CA
    This is an original first octavo edition John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "American Oyster Catcher, Male", No. 65, Plate...
    Category

    Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • "King Duck": An Original First Octavo Edition Audubon Hand-colored Lithograph
    By John James Audubon
    Located in Alamo, CA
    This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored royal first octavo edition lithograph entitled "King Duck, 1. Male, 2. Female", No. 81, Plate 404, from A...
    Category

    Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • "Moose Deer", an Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Quadruped Lithograph
    By John James Audubon
    Located in Alamo, CA
    This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "Moose Deer, Male", No. 16, Plate 76 from Audubon's "Quadrupeds of North America". It was drawn on stone by William Hitchcock, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in 1849-1854. It depicts a male moose standing on grass on the right with two female moose...
    Category

    Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

You May Also Like
  • Dalmation & Bull Terrier
    Located in Columbia, MO
    Dalmation & Bull Terrier 1883-84 Chromolithograph 8.5 x 11 inches
    Category

    1880s Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • Dachsunds
    Located in Columbia, MO
    Dachsunds 1883-84 Chromolithograph 8.5 x 11 inches
    Category

    1880s Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • Terriers No. 2
    Located in Columbia, MO
    Terriers No. 2 1883-84 Chromolithograph 8.5 x 11 inches
    Category

    1880s Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • Terriers No. 1
    Located in Columbia, MO
    Terriers No. 1 1883-84 Chromolithograph 8.5 x 11 inches
    Category

    1880s Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • Pug, Greyhound, Terrier
    Located in Columbia, MO
    Pug, Greyhound, Terrier 1883-84 Chromolithograph 8.5 x 11 inches
    Category

    1880s Naturalistic Animal Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • New Beginnings
    By Joseph Raffael
    Located in San Francisco, CA
    Artist: Joseph Raffael (American, 1933-2021) Title: New Beginnings Date: 1982 Medium: Color lithograph Sheet size: 33.5 x 31.75 inches Framed Size 38 x ...
    Category

    1980s Naturalistic Landscape Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

Recently Viewed

View All