This print has never been cleaned or restored. Being over 170 years old and may demonstrate characteristics commonly associated with its age and usage, such as finger smudges (spoiling) along the margins and the natural discoloring of the paper (toning). There may be a few blemishes or age spots (foxing). Some of these prints may exhibit light text offsetting. As an indication of these characteristics for this print please refer to the photos. The edge that was attached to the book is untrimmed and may retain some of its glue binding. Overall, I believe that this print is in good condition.
This print size is approximately 6 5/8" x 10".
Feel free to email if you have any specific questions or requests regarding this print. --
General Information About Octavo Prints
Plate 475 Slender-Billed Guillemot, Original 1840 First Edition Audubon Octavo Print for Sale
First edition Octavo prints are a very popular among Audubon collectors today because they were created under the direct instruction and supervision of their artistic creator, John James Audubon. Only the double elephant Havell’s can also make that claim. Sold to the public by subscription between 1840-1844, it is estimated that only 1000-1200 sets may have been made. In the 170 years since their printing, it is unknown how many copies still exist. After the successful reception of Audubon’s “Birds of America” Havell Edition, Audubon set out to create a smaller, less expensive edition and therefore increase its availability. Called ‘Octavo’ because they are approximately 1/8th the size of the Havell edition, Audubon retained the shop of JT Bowen of Philadelphia for most of the lithography and hand coloring of the prints. Some plates (136-150) were lithographed and colored by George Endicott of New York. This smaller sized edition was published as “The Royal Octavo Edition of Birds of America”. The designation ‘Royal’ has nothing to do with any intention to market the publication, but rather a printer’s term for the plates common dimension, 6 ½” x 10”. Octavo first edition prints are more desirable and collectible than later editions. This octavo edition is the only edition that was fully hand colored. These first edition prints are generally identified by their lack of beige or blue-green colored backgrounds, which were used in the second and later editions. The prints themselves were printed on heavy paper stock and somewhat stiff. The paper is free of plate or watermarks.
