[Natural History] Audubon, John James. The Birds of America, From Drawings Made in the United States and Their Territories

New York: Published by J.J. Audubon/Philadelphia: J.B. Chevalier, (1839-)1840-44. In seven volumes. First octavo edition. With half-title in each volume, as well as subscriber's list. Illustrated with 500 hand-colored lithographed plates (each with tissue guard), after Audubon by W.E. Hitchcock, R. Trembly and others, printed and colored by J.T. Bowen, as well as numerous in-text wood engravings. Three-quarter brown morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, stamped in gilt, gilt bird motif ornaments along spines, boards and joints rubbed, spines slightly faded, scattered chipping and wear to spine ends and extremities; all edges gilt; matching marbled endpapers; by Waters, Baltimore; front hinge of first volume cracked; scattered, generally light spotting to text and plates, somewhat heavier in first, second, fourth, and seventh volumes. Ayer/Zimmer, p. 22; Bennett, p. 5; McGill/Wood, p. 208; Nissen IVB 51; Reese, Stamped With a National Character 34; Sabin 2364

A handsome first edition set of John J. Audubon's royal octavo edition of the Birds of America. Audubon began planning this smaller and more affordable version of his ornithological masterpiece while in England supervising the final stages of his elephant folio edition. The newer edition was similarly sold via subscription, in 100 hundred parts of five plates each, costing a total of $100 (close to $3,000 in today's money). Issued over a five year period (1840-44), the set includes 65 images not present in the first elephant folio. Compositions were also reworked to contain a single species per plate, while background sceneries were at times drastically simplified. Unlike its predecessor, the seven volumes are organized in a more rigorous manner, and the accompanying descriptive text was reworked, notably with the omission of "Delineation of American Scenery and Manner". The images were reduced in size by Audubon's son, John Woodhouse Audubon, using a camera lucida, and were printed in Philadelphia by John T. Bowen and his assistants, under the direct supervision of Audubon. This edition proved to be a great success, "probably the greatest commercial success of any color plate book issued in 19th-century America" (Reese, 34).

The Collection of Ambassador and Mrs. Ogden R. Reid

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Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

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[Natural History] Audubon, John James. The Birds of America, From Drawings Made in the United States and Their Territories

The Collection of Ambassador and Mrs. Ogden R. Reid

Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

[Natural History] Audubon, John James. The Birds of America, From Drawings Made in the United States and Their Territories

Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

[Natural History] Audubon, John James. The Birds of America, From Drawings Made in the United States and Their Territories

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