after John James Audubon (1785-1851)
"Long-billed Curlew" (No. 47, Plate CCXXXI), 1834
Hand-colored engraving and aquatint, sheet size 26 by 38 1/2 in.
"Drawn from nature by J.J. Audubon F.R.S. F.L.R" lower left
"Engraved, Printed and Coloured by R. Havell 1834" lower right on J. Whatman watermarked paper
Of the Long-Billed Curlew with the city of Charleston on display in the background, Audubon writes, “This bird is the largest of the genus found in North America. The great length of its bill is of itself sufficient to distinguish it from every other...It is well known by the inhabitants of Charleston that it breeds on the islands on the coast of South Carolina; and my friend the Reverend John Bachman has been at their breeding grounds.”
Very good, strong colors, minor discoloration along edges, bindery holes along top edge. Left edge trimmed, restored chip to left margin, small fox mark near text, bottom.
Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection
Literature: Christoph Irmscher, ed. “John James Audubon: Writings & Drawings,” New York, NY, 1999.
John James Audubon, "Birds of America, From Drawings Made in the United States and Their Territories," London, England, 1826-1838.
Condition
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