The Quadrupeds of North America - photo 1
The Quadrupeds of North America - photo 2

The Quadrupeds of North America

Starting price
$ 10 000
Auction dateClassic
17.01.2024 11:00UTC -04:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
USA, New York
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ID 1119157
Lot 136 | The Quadrupeds of North America
The Quadrupeds of North America

John James Audubon, 1849-1854

AUDUBON, John James (1780-1851) and BACHMAN, John (1790-1874). The Quadrupeds of North America. New York: V.G. Audubon, 1849-1854.



First octavo edition, in the original parts. The Quadrupeds of North America was the result of Audubon's collaboration with John Bachman, a Lutheran Pastor who had studied quadrupeds from his youth and who was recognized as an authority in the United States. The two began their association when Audubon stayed with Bachman and his family in Charleston for a month in 1831. Audubon knew that Bachman's contribution was critical but had to fight hard to convince his friend to take part. Bachman eventually relented, with the proviso that all profits, and expenses, were to be the Audubons': the work was expected to show a healthy return and he was eager to benefit his sons-in-law Victor and John Woodhouse Audubon.



The Quadrupeds was first published in three folio volumes between 1845 and 1848, with 150 colored plates (see preceding lot). The first octavo edition, issued in response to the success of a similar edition of The Birds of America, contains all of the original 150 plates, plus 5 of the 6 supplemental plates issued later, reduced by means of the camera lucida. Initially both the folio and octavo editions were issued in parts. With the publication of the final part in 1854 the quartet of works as envisaged by Audubon was completed.



The Prospectus, printed on the back wrappers, states that "The present will be a miniature copy of the large edition, with figures and descriptions of the Quadrupeds of the United States, (including Texas, California, and Oregon), part of Mexico, the British and Russian Possessions and Arctic regions of our continent. Each number will contain five plates, lithographed in a superior style and carefully coloured from the original drawings. The numbers will be delivered to subscribers at intervals of not less than one month, and the work will be completed in thirty numbers." Bennett, p.5; Nissen ZBI 163; Stamped with a National Character 8; Sabin 2638.



31 original parts, octavo (270 x 185mm). 155 hand-colored plates. Original printed wrappers (no. 1 and 26 browned, scattered minor small chips or stains, some wear to backstrips, backstrips tissued over on nos. 7, 9, 10). Housed in three quarter calf slipcases. Provenance: R. Martin (contemporary "R.M." initials on the first 20 upper wrappers and one ownership inscription) – Lindley Eberstadt (loosely inserted bookplates).

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