Guide to Collecting John James Audubon Prints

Audubon, John James (1785-1851) Fish Hawk, Plate 81. [from] The Birds of America. London: R. Havell, 1827-1838. Sold for $43,050

Among the entries on the list of the World’s Most Expensive Books at Auction are copies of The Birds of America by John James Audubon, which sold for $11.5 million in 2010. 

There’s a good reason that the book commands such high prices. Audubon created a genre of illustration that didn’t exist before. He depicted his birds life-size,  exhibiting normal behaviors in their natural habitats. His abilities as an artist and high scientific standards are perfectly captured in his illustrations, and people of all ages and backgrounds are drawn to these lifelike images.

Audubon, John James (1785-1851) Great Horned Owl, Plate LXI. [from] The Birds of America. London: Havell, 1827-1838. Sold for $12,300

Thankfully, for those of us who don’t have an extra $12 million lying around, individual prints from inside the book are often available at auction. In each Skinner Fine Books & Manuscripts Auctions, we offer large Havell and Bien Audubon plates, 19th century octavo-format sets of The Birds, individual octavo plates, and quadruped plates in octavo and folio formats. We also sold a complete folio edition of Audubon’s Quadrupeds.

VALUE MY AUDUBON PRINT

3 Tips for determining the value of Audubon prints:

Audubon, John James (1785-1851) Common American Skunk, Plate XLII. [from] The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. Philadelphia: J.T. Bowen, 1839-1844. Sold for $1,560

1. Size matters!

Knowing the edition is critical. Prints from the first edition were published by Havell and should measure approximately 30 x 40 inches. They were printed on watermarked wove paper by copperplate engraving and are hand-colored. These prints came out in the 1820s-1830s. Bien, a publisher in New York, printed a selection of plates by chromolithograph in the 1860s. These are nearly the same size but have a different paper and imprint. The octavo plates, by comparison only measure about 10 x 6 inches.

2. Understand condition issues

Prints should never be mounted onto board, as acid can leach into the paper and affect the color. Exposure to direct sunlight fades the colors and can brown the paper. Folds, tears, or worn corners also affect the value of a print. Remember, prints are multiples – most collectors want to find and purchase the copy in the most pristine condition possible. These plates are nearly 200 years old, and much can happen to compromise condition. Even so, some examples are still in excellent shape.

3. What’s your favorite animal?

Audubon, John James (1785-1851) Raccoon, Male, Plate LXI. [from] The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. Philadelphia: J.T. Bowen, 1839-1844. Sold for $5,100

The subject matter of an Audubon print also helps determine the value. Larger birds tend to bring higher prices than the smaller songbirds. Great Blue HeronAmerican Flamingo, and Wild Turkey are three of the most valuable prints of The Birds of America. However, some of the smaller birds can also bring high prices at auction, including the Carolina Parrot, Robin, Mockingbird, and Ruff-Necked Hummingbird. The charm of the composition also affects value and the attitude of the animals. There’s something about the look of Audubon’s quadrupeds, the mother skunk defending her cubs  looks defiant, and the presence of the Audubon raccoon is arresting and familiar to anyone who has interrupted a midnight garbage raid.

If you have any Audubon prints that you would like assessed, please send an email with photographs, measurements, and a description and we will be happy to help you in any way we can. Collectors should set up lot alerts on the My Skinner section of the website. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the next great thing!

Interested in Pop Art ? Consider Reading: Pop Art Prints

CONSIGN AUDUBON PRINT

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2013 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

56 thoughts on “Guide to Collecting John James Audubon Prints

  1. Hi, I have an original Havell elephant folio paper…snowy egret.
    Is it still holding its value? It was upwards of $100,000 when I checked a few years ago.

  2. I believe I have a compete 4 volume set of havell Audubon birds of America. I am trying to estimate a value can you help me. there are watermarks with havell on some of the prints.

  3. I have two folios of prints. 18 Best Loved Bird Paintings By
    Adubon and Wild Flowers of America 18 Paintings in Full color from the collection in the Smithsonia Institution. This is what is wriiten on the envelopes they are in. The bird prints have a
    code of P00042 and the flowers have a code of 120119. Other than
    what is given there is no other markings. They are on heavy cream colored stock paper in original envelope.

  4. Hi looking for a little help i picked up two large prints at goodwill. one is no.37 Gordonia Pubesceus on the bottom it says engraved. printed. & coloured. by R. Havell.1833.

    The other one is no.26 Ground Hemlock taxus Canadensis
    Rosebreasted Grosbeck. they both say Drawn from nature by J.J. Audubon. any help!!! are they worth anything? Thanks for your time!!

  5. I havea` birds of america reprintedd in 1941 in fair shape.what’s itsapproximat value??:thanks Dee Coonley

  6. Hi, I own a first edition set of the three volumes of Quadrapeds of North America octavo edition. 1849, 1851, 1854. They are fully bound and are in very good + condition with no issues to the plates on torn pages! etc.
    Can you please tell me what the current value of these should be. Thank you, Greg

  7. Hi,

    I have a Havelli, Plate CCCCII No. 81. It is framed and in excellent condition. It was purchased in a collection as an investment and I’m debating on selling it for other investments. I’ve checked the authenticity and values, but I’m not sure where to go now. Could you give some insight? Thanks 🙂

  8. I have several Audubon prints in my possession.
    Red Headed Duck nr, 65
    Azure Marbler nr. 10
    Buffel Headed Duck
    Ruff necked humming bird nr. 76
    Sharp tailed finch nr. 30
    Blue Jay nr. 21
    Snowy Heron and White Egret nr. 49
    Louisiana Heron nr. 44
    If possible, can you tell me what the value is of these prints.
    Thank you very much.

  9. I am considering selling my elephant folio Stanley Hawk it is an original which came out of
    an antebellum plantation mansion a few miles outside of New orleans in an estate purchase by the New Orleans Antiques Shop called The Treasure Trove or something close to that in 1966 or 67 while my husband and I were in the shop and we reserved the right to purchase at that time. The piece had been in the possession of the family who had resided in the home for generations, and this was the first time out of the home as the last of the family had just passed away.

    Do you have any idea of the current range of value for such a piece?

    Thank you for your time.

  10. I have 2 Audubon framed prints of Birds Of American “Turtle Dove” and Meadowlark”. Can you tell me what the value of these prints are. They are life size. Thank you.

  11. I have a Elephant sized print Wild Turkey, plate 1, print 1 and have no idea of value for insurance purpose. Can you give me an idea?

    Thank you

  12. Hi there, I am in Upstate, NY. I have 4 Audubon prints. The writing is correct on all of them (according to what is suppose to be on original prints), and I have looked in to a 17x loupe, and I do not see dots. I do see where the color has gone outside of the lines in areas though. They are all Art Gallery framed. So, I removed the paper and the cardboard backing to get to the print. The birds are life size. Each is Havell Senior and Havell Junior are on a couple, and one has Lizars name. The print is on a very thick stock card paper, not rollable. It has an indent around it. I see no water mark,… and then I realized that the size is not quite 20.5 long and not quite 13.5 wide. I think it has been trimmed. I am wondering if you believe that there remains monetary value. Thank You.

  13. I have 6 plates of The John James Birds of America limited edition of 5000 plates. i will list 3 here:
    – Grey King Bird # 2766
    – Tree Sparro # 2675
    – Scrub of Florida Jay # 766

    I am interested in possible selling these and the other 3.

  14. I have a Bob Havelli plate ccccxl that was framed by Franklin Picture Company.
    It was purchased at an estate sale in New Orleans. I was wondering where I
    Go from here to decide if I would like to sell or keep it as an investment for my grandchildren.
    Thank you in advance.

  15. I purchased a 1987-88 Introductory Edition 1,000 prints– Complete Folio includes – Deluxe Casing and illustrated text plus 5 original graphics (based on Audubon’s / Havell’s original works and engravings.
    Key West Quail Dove
    Blue Winged Warbler
    Little Blue Heron
    Great Egret
    Sandhill Crane

    Any thoughts? I appreciate any information you could offer.

  16. I have a book signed by J.J. Audubon with 435 plates in it of birds from original drawings. The book and binding is in good condition. Is there any value to this?
    Thank you any information you could give.

  17. I just recently bought the 1946, fifth printing of the book, “Birds of America” at a yard sale. I am wondering as to its true value. Would you be able to tell me?

  18. I have a number of large Audubon prints. Most are more than 20 inches wide by 30 inches tall. For example, I have Carolina Parrots, Blue Jay, Wood Duck, Flamingo and others. I purchased the prints in early 1980s at the Smithsonian or at the National Gallery of Art in DC, when there was a big show of Auudubon prints. The pieces are beautifully framed, making these prints very powerful. What is an appropriate value for these pieces.

  19. Hey Skinner Auctions, can you openly share your thoughts / ballpark figure(s) on the oil paintings he produced as gifts, sales promos, and a means to support himself before the book of plate prints was published? I have been having the privilege to admire up close and personal a 100% authentic oil version of plate #1. Magnificent piece to say the least. Any clue what such a piece would command at hammer? I’m sure you’re reluctant to even entertain that such a rarity would magically pop up – as was I. But please: humor me and openly comment on what you would evaluate such a unicorn at if it was clearly authentic. /

    – fine condition
    – life sized – just like the plates
    – signed by Audubon and someone that I assume did the backdrop

    How much do you think that unicorn in the window would fetch at Auction?

  20. I am collecting items for a tag sale for my local library, and was given a set of 15 prints described on their original envelope as “extra set of illustrations to accompany your copy of Audubon’s America”. (Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston) Since these prints have no water mark, I’m assuming they are worth a lot less than the prints themselves would be. I’m raising money for my library, not for personal profit, and would appreciate any guidance you might be able to give me about what to do with these.

  21. Hi, I have an 1870 8-volume edition of ‘Birds of America’, complete with all 500 plates, bound in leather spine and boards. As I am interested in selling it I would appreciate an estimate of how much it would sell for. Can also send photos. Thanks.

  22. Good evening,
    I have a printing of a page from a book of No. 9 Plate XLII Common American Skunk Drawn from Natur by J.J Audubon FRSFLS Lith Printed & Col by J.T. Bowen Philad

    It is mounted on a board. It has a price marked on the board of $350.00. Can you tell me it’s possible value?

  23. July 19, 2018

    Hi,
    I have the following prints, showing various birds from the Audubon collection.

    Prince Rudolph’s Bird of Paradise 17” x 23” 12” x 17” aIMG_6067.jpg
    Bowdler Sharpe (Plate 38)

    Black Headed Tragopan 17” x 23” 12” x 17” aIMG_6066.jpg
    Elliott (Plate 32)

    Roseate Cockatoo 17” x 23” 12” x 17” bIMG_6063.jpg
    Gould (Plate 13)

    Wood Duck 17” x 23” 12” x 17” bIMG_6061.jpg
    Maletti (Plate 7)

    12-wired Bird of Paradise 17” x 23” 12” x 17” bIMG_6058.jpg
    Bowdler Sharpe (Plate 37)

    Roseate Spoonbill 21” x 16.5’ 15” x 10’ bIMG_6059.jpg

    I believe the prints were taken form a large-format Audubon Birds book, and framed. I am attaching photos. They are not highly professional, sorry. He prints themselves are in good condition. They are not glued to any backing material. He frames are gold-painted wood.

    Please let me know if you’d be interested in valuing and/or purchasing these prints?

    Thanks.

    Regards,

    Please let me know where I can uplod the photos. Thanks.

  24. I have a framed print 24×18 of Cat Bird by John James Audubon.
    Plate # CXXVII
    Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell, London

    I would like to know the value.

    Thanks

  25. Have you ever heard of a book of Audubon prints which had a large number of prints each layered in between with onion paper or similar?
    Book measured about 30 x 30

  26. Hi-
    Many years ago I bought about 30 Audubon prints at a share party. These are the Abbeville/Havell edition. They have been sealed up and protected for years. Would your store or anyone you know be interested in buying them all? I have the list of prints that I can provide if needed. Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.

    Lee Gellins

  27. I have 31 prints of various plate numbers that are in excellent condition and never been framed. On the bottom they show “Reproduced from the collection of the Milwaukee Public Library For the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company”. I believe they are 40-50 years old. I am toying with donating them to a state Audubon society for their annual silent auction. But before I do I would like to know if they have value. I have twins boys graduating high school next year so if they have value that would help. My guess is that they don’t have much value and would probably be a more useful at the fund raiser. Please help me confirm.

    thanks,

    Lou

  28. Hi, I have recently purchased Audubon print, Wild Turkey, plate 1. No. 1, Centennial Edition Print, Registered Serial Number 14. Published and copyrighted 1950, by The Historical Institute of America Inc., Locust Valley, N.Y.

  29. Hi,

    I have 2 original Audubon prints from 1966. The “note to collector’s” on the back of the frame reads: it is from these originals, that in 1966, the series of prints entitled “The Birds of America” were made using paintstaking care and the most modern procedure for accurately reproducing the original color fidelity. Thus, for the fist time, prints, of which this is one, were made available which accurately portray the true color of the Audubon originals.
    The edition was limited to 750 prints of each painting.”

    Both also have the certificate of authenticity GENUINE AUDUBON PRINT on the back of the frame.

    I have :
    PLATE 318 Sage Thrasher Varied Thrush
    PLATE 272 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD

    Any help regarding value would be appreciated!

    Thanks!

    Emily

  30. Hi there, I have a fully bound copy of Birds of America Vol II Liepzig Edition, I think in very good condition. Could you perhaps provide indicative value, and is this best sold as is or the book unbound and prints sold separately as I have seen recommended elsewhere.

    Many thanks

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