PBA Galleries

4 volumes. 435 chromolithograph plates. (Double elephant folio) 99.7x66 cm. (39½x26") half calf and green cloth, spines lettered in gilt, large leather title labels on front covers. With the original publisher's shipping crates present. One of 250 copies.

A remarkable full size facsimile reproduction of John James Audubon's landmark work on the birds of the North American continent. Originally published in London, issued in 87 parts between 1827 and 1838, Audubon's birds is today among the rarest and most valuable books ever published. A complete set of the original edition sold for $11.6 million at auction in December, 2010 achieving a new record for a printed book sold at auction. The present facsimile faithfully reproduces the original in full color from the copy held by the Teyler Foundation, Haarlem, The Netherlands. The set offered here has been housed in the four original shipping crates since publication, the last three of which were opened for the first time after arriving at our galleries.