Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

John James Audubon
Collies Squirrel: An Original 19th Century Hand-colored Lithograph by Audubon

1849-1854

About the Item

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Collies Squirrel, No. 21, Plate CIV", from John James Audubon's Quadrupeds of North America, published in Philadelphia from 1849-1854. The print depicts two Downy Squirrels on a tree branches with green leaves. This original hand colored Audubon quadruped lithograph is presented in a light cream-colored mat, suitable for framing, and a clear protective sleeve. The mat measures 16" high and 12" wide. The sheet measures approximately 10.5" high and 6.88" wide. The print is in excellent condition. 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, but less well-known quadruped plates are not as expensive, but becoming more sought after, as the birds become unattainable to all but the very wealthy.
  • Creator:
    John James Audubon (1785-1851, American, French)
  • Creation Year:
    1849-1854
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Alamo, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: # 17471stDibs: LU1173216364492

More From This Seller

View All
Greenland Falcon "Falco Candicans": A 19th C. Hand-colored Lithograph by Gould
By John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Falco Candicans" (Greenland Falcon Light) by John Gould, from his "Birds of Great Britain", published i...
Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Blue-eyed Cockatoo: A Framed Original 19th C. Hand-colored Lithograph by Gould
By John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a framed original 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled “Cacatua Ophthalimica” (Blue-eyed Cockatoo) by John Gould, from the supplement to his "Birds of Australia", published in London between 1851 and 1869. The print depicts a large blue-eyed cockatoo perched on a branch, with its head turned to the left. The scene is enhanced with leaves and sky and clouds in the background. This striking framed Gould...
Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Pair of 19th C. Hand-colored Lithographs of Ducks by John Gould
By John Gould
Located in Alamo, CA
A pair of hand-colored lithographs of ducks entitled "Tadorna Vulpanser" (Sheldrake Ducks) and "Mergus Umbellus' (Smew or Nun Ducks) from John Gould's publication "Birds of Great Br...
Category

1860s Naturalistic Animal Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Hummingbirds: Framed Gould Antique Hand-Colored "Rufous-breasted Sabrewing"
By John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a framed hand-colored folio sized lithograph entitled "Campylopterus Hyperythrus" (Rufous-breasted Sabrewing Hummingbird), Plate 51 from John Gould's "A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-birds", published in London in 1850. The print, which was drawn by Gould and Henry Richter and lithographed by Hullmandel and Walton, depicts three hummingbirds displaying multiple colors, including, green, blue and shades of brown highlights among burgundy and cream colored flowers. The hummingbirds are highlighted by bright iridescent metallic paint. This beautiful Gould hummingbird...
Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Ince's Paradise Flycatcher Birds: 19th C. Hand-colored Lithograph by John Gould
By John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Muscipeta Incei" ( (Ince's Paradise Flycatcher)) by John Gould, which is plate 19 from his monograph "The Birds of Great Brita...
Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Long-billed Curlew Bird: Original 1st Edition Audubon Hand Colored Lithograph
By John James Audubon
Located in Alamo, CA
An original rare and extremely collectible first edition John James Audubon hand colored lithograph entitled "Long-billed Curlew", No. 71, Plate 355, 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 a male and a female Long-billed Curlew standing on a grassy mound with water and the city of Charleston...
Category

Mid-18th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints

Materials

Lithograph

You May Also Like

Stow Wengenroth, Friendly Neighbors (Birds)
By Stow Wengenroth
Located in New York, NY
Edition of 80. Signed and numbered in pencil. Really, no one could draw on a lithographic stone like Stow Wengenroth. He drew many animals and birds...
Category

Mid-20th Century Naturalistic Landscape 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

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

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

Dachsunds
Located in Columbia, MO
Dachsunds 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

Recently Viewed

View All