New York and Philadelphia: J.J. Audubon and J.B. Chevalier, (1839-) 1840-1844. In seven volumes. Royal 8vo (255 x 165 mm). Half-titles, 500 hand-colored lithographed plates after Audubon by W.E. Hitchcock, R. Trembly and others, printed and colored by J.T. Bowen, numerous wood-engraved anatomical diagrams in text. (Some spotting throughout, a touch of dampstaining to the foremargin of a few leaves in Vol. IV.) Publisher's deluxe green morocco decorated in gilt and blind, spines in five compartments with four raised bands, gilt-lettered in two, the rest with gilt owl or eagle tools, edges gilt, plaid endleaves (portion of lower joint detached with vertical tear across the spine Vol. I, some rubbing and wear to joints, spines darkened and brittle with a few chips and old repairs). Ayer/Zimmer, p.22; Bennett, p.5; McGill/Wood, p.208; Nissen IVB 51; Reese 34; Sabin 2364

First octavo edition. Audubon's double-elephant folio edition of The Birds of America (1827-1838) established his reputation as the greatest ornithological artist of his time. Though that edition was published in London to ensure the quality of the plates, he employed the Philadelphia firm of J.T. Bowen to produce this more commercially viable edition under the close supervision of his sons whereby the folio plates were reduced by camera lucida and lithographed. This octavo edition is considered the "first and most desirable edition in this form published during the author's lifetime, in one hundred parts" (Sabin). The original subscription price was $100, and its commercial success granted Audubon financial security. In addition to the original plate count included in the double-elephant folio edition, the octavo edition has 65 new images for a total of 500 plates, making it "the most extensive color plate book produced in America up to that time" (Reese).