Audubon’s `Birds of America’ Fetches $7.9 Million at Christie’s
A complete first edition of John James Audubon’s “The Birds of America” fetched $7.9 million at Christie’s (CHRS) today, just above the low presale estimate and far shy of a record.
A single telephone bid took the prize. The highest auction price paid for one of the first editions was $11.5 million in a 2010 sale at Sotheby’s.
The giant four-volume set (1827-1838) stands more than 3 feet tall and features 435 hand-colored engravings. It was estimated to bring $7 million to $10 million.
The set originally belonged to William Henry Cavendish, the fourth Duke of Portland, a British politician who bought it after 1838, according to Christie’s catalog.
Of approximately 200 copies that were printed, 107 are in institutions and 13 are in private hands. The whereabouts of the rest are unknown.
To contact the reporter of this story: Katya Kazakina in New York at kkazakina@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
Common American Swan
Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
The image of a common American swan is part of John James Audubon's "The Birds of America." The four-volume set fetched $7.9 million at Christie's today.
The image of a common American swan is part of John James Audubon's "The Birds of America." The four-volume set fetched $7.9 million at Christie's today. Source: Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
Snowy Ouls
Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
The image of two snowy ouls is part of John James Audubon's "The Birds of America." The four-volume set fetched $7.9 million at Christie's today.
The image of two snowy ouls is part of John James Audubon's "The Birds of America." The four-volume set fetched $7.9 million at Christie's today. Source: Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
Wild Turkey
Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
The image of a wild turkey is part of John James Audubon's "The Birds of America." The four-volume set fetched $7.9 million at Christie's today.
The image of a wild turkey is part of John James Audubon's "The Birds of America." The four-volume set fetched $7.9 million at Christie's today. Source: Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
"The Birds of America"
Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
"The Birds of America" by John James Aubudon. The four-volume set fetched $7.9 million at Christie's today.
"The Birds of America" by John James Aubudon. The four-volume set fetched $7.9 million at Christie's today. Source: Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
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