Books and Manuscripts

London: R(obert). Havell, (1831). Hand-colored engraving with aquatint and etching, on J. Whatman watermarked paper, dated 1831. Engraved, printed, and colored by Havell after Audubon. Mat burn; shallow tidemark along top edge; scattered light soiling; short-closed tear at bottom center edge and in top right edge. 38 1/8 x 24 11/16 in. (968 x 627 mm). In mat and in frame, 43 5/8 x 29 1/8 in. (1108 x 740 mm). Low, p. 92

Plate CXIX from Audubon's The Birds of America (London, 1827-38). "Painting and plate depict a male in a branch of Oak-leaved Hydrangea, reaching for a wasp. Audubon wrote quite a bit on the painting. In addition to the bird's name, he called the Hydrangea by the delightful name of 'Swamp Snow-ball,' and also wrote in tiny letters, hard to make out: 'Pirrie Plantation, Louisiana, July 11, 1821.' He had a summer job as a tutor there." (Susanne M. Low, A Guide to Audubon's Birds of America, p. 92).

A handsome example with wide margins.