We carry a large selection of antique original prints from the 18th and 19th century. Below, you’ll find original Audubon prints – nearly 200 years old, and works by other major nature illustrators – including Alexander Wilson and Sir William Jardine.
“Birds of North America” by John James Audubon
After creating the massive “double elephant” edition of Birds of North America, Audubon created a more accessible and just as beautiful edition one-eight its size, known as the Royal Octavo Edition. Hand-colored and printed from 1840-1870, these prized prints are a favorite of bird & nature enthusiasts and collectors alike.
“Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America” by John James Audubon
While Audubon is most recognized for his masterful bird illustrations, he also set out to do the same for the quadrupeds of North America. Working with his son John Woodhouse Audubon, they created a new Royal Octavo Edition depicting the numerous four-legged animals that inhabit today’s United States.
Alexander Wilson’s “American Ornithology”
Considered to be the founder of American ornithology, Alexander Wilson lived from 1766-1813. As naturalist, he is most known for his “American Ornithology; or, the Natural History of the Birds of the United States.” This work was such a success in that it inspired John James Audubon to pursue his own study of birds.
These hand-colored prints are antiques – each created in the 19th century.
Sir William Jardine’s “Birds from the Naturalist’s Library”
Published 1833-1845 by Sir William Jardine and engraved by W.H. Lizars, “The Naturalist’s Library” became immensely popular when introduced in the 19th century. By using steel instead of copper plates, Lizars was able to achieve the finest detail and most accurate depiction of animals to date. These diminutive works are nonetheless immense in their artistry and contribution to the world of scientific illustration. Jardine’s monumental work continues to be well collected.
Sir William Jardine’s “Mammals from the Naturalist’s Library”
Sir William Jardine produced forty volumes of his “Naturalist’s Library,” containing over 1300 hand-colored plates studying four subjects, including: ornithology, mammalia, entomology, and ichthyology. In this section we include his mammal prints currently available.