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How do you tell if an Audubon print is an original?
1 Answer

To tell if an Audubon print is an original, research the print using trusted online resources and print catalogues available in many libraries. Learn about the watermark, plate mark, sheet dimensions, paper type, plate marks and signatures found on authentic prints from the series. Then, use this information to evaluate your print. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable art dealer authenticate your print. Find a selection of John James Audubon prints on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024
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Shop for John James Audubon Art on 1stDibs
"The Cougar", 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 "The Cougar, Male", No. 20, Plate XCVI, 96 from Audubon's "Quadrupeds of North America". It was d...
Category
Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Black-throated Diver: Original 1st Edition Hand Colored Audubon Bird Lithograph
By John James Audubon
Located in Alamo, CA
An original rare and extremely collectible first edition John James Audubon hand colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "Black-throated Diver", No. 96, Plate 477, from Audubon's "Birds of America". It was lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1840-1844. It depicts three Black-throated Divers; an adult male (1), an adult female (2) and a young Diver (3). The male sits on the bank, while the young Diver floats in the water and the female watches...
Category
Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints
Materials
Lithograph
American Crow 1858 Chromolithograph by J.J. Audubon Plate, Julius Bien Edition
By John James Audubon
Located in Paonia, CO
American Crow by J.J. Audubon from his Birds of America folio shows an adult male crow in a Black Walnut bush with a nest of a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird in a branch below the crow. This original chromolithograph plate no. 226 is in good condition with a repairable water mark in the image on the left side as can be seen in the photos.
The ” Birds of America” by John James...
Category
1850s Naturalistic Animal Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Trumpeter Swan, Adult: An Original Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph
By John James Audubon
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Trumpeter Swan, Adult", No. 77, Plate 382 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lit...
Category
Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Mango Hummingbirds: An Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph
By John James Audubon
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Mango Humming bird, 1. 2. Males. 3. Female. Bignonia grandifolia", No. 51, Plate 251 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed and colored by JT Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1870-1871. The lithograph depicts an adult male hummingbird, labelled 1, in flight above a beautiful flowering plant, a Chinese Trumpet-vine. Another male, labeled 2, is perched on a flower on the left and a female, labelled 3, is perched on a flower on the right.
This hand-colored Audubon bird octavo-size lithograph sheet measures 10.25" high by 6.75" wide. It is in excellent condition. The original text pages, 185-186, from Audubon's 19th century publication are included.
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Snowy Heron /// John James Audubon Natural History Ornithology Snowy Egret Bird
By John James Audubon
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: John James Audubon (American, 1785-1851)
Title: "Snowy Heron" (Plate 374, No. 75)
Portfolio: The Birds of America, First Royal Octavo Edition
Year: 1840-1844
Medium: Original...
Category
1840s Victorian Animal Prints
Materials
Watercolor, Lithograph