The Birds of America from Original Drawings by John James Audubon Hardcover – January 1, 1961

There is one review here that says this book contains horrible black-and-white reproductions and then goes on to shame everyone who posted a positive review (as if anyone would have a reason to lie and say their book is full-color when it isn't). I'm happy to report that the user who posted this review appears to have been reviewing a different version of this book. If you order the Prestel hardcover version you will receive a heavy volume reproduced on high-quality paper. Every single page is in full color; not a single "black-and-white photocopy" among them.43 people who said they found that particular review "helpful" probably did not go on to buy this book. I *almost* did not buy this book because of that review. But there were enough other positive reviews that did not mention "extremely bad" "black and white photocopies" and I personally did not presume to believe that they were all inexplicably lying about their purchase. I was not disappointed to find that the Prestel version is exactly what it says it is in the description. Possibly, clicking "Other Used and New" could take you to other versions of the book that are not as high quality. Don't do that. At the time I reviewed this, the selling price for this hardcover version was $30.49. Excellent value for such a high-quality book.

Gorgeous book. I was so excited to see it at this low price. When I was in grade school I looked atJohn Audubon's paintings of birds, in a very small book and I was so entranced. Ever since then I havedreamed of seeing them again. I bought a very tiny book of them a few years back. I had forgotten about them for a long time but when I saw this very large book with so many beautiful plates was available,in fact, all the plates of the birds dear Audubon painted, it made me almost weep for joy. But even more importantly I want to add this note. The incredibly dedicated delivery person delivered this book at4:32 a.m. overnight. The guard did not let him in not being used to packages arriving in this time frame. Todaythe amazon delivery person came back at 5:49 pm on the second attempt. He seemed to be a non English speaking person, possibly from Central or South America. Without saying a word he presented the book tome with so much heart and graciousness without saying a word. I had been upset about not receiving thebook but it was in no way the fault of the driver. I just want to say thank you to that person here. I know you must be such a hard working person to be working such varied shifts and you were the best possible person to deliver this book to me that I love so dearly and that goes so far back in my memory as one ofthe loveliest things in our history, John Audubon's beautiful paintings of the birds of America. PLEASE get this book. It is an incomparable treasure. I always feel looking at Audubon's paintings of birds as if he has painted their souls in an alternate universe;there is such a wildly imaginative quality to the paintings, amost mythlike.

This book is big and beautiful. Perfect coffee table book! Would make a great gift. Good price point.

The pages in this book are beautiful

Education, enjoyment and worthy!!

Love it.

Exactly what I was looking for for my John James Audubon enthusiast. Just perfect. High quality images and all plates included, one per page. Of all the birthday gifts my 16 year old daughter received, this was the only one that made her gasp. :)

I am returning and silently cursing all those who wrote glowing reviews for the hardcover. I like Audobon's paintings and bought it solely for that. I am an ameteur bird watcher. In other words, I just watch pretty birds and listen to their birdsong, the most beautiful music in the world. I am not one of those intellectual snobs that brag about knowing all the species, etc. I look, I like, I simply enjoy. This is how, in my opinion, birds should be enjoyed - naturally, not to show off your knowledge. That said because I like Audubon's paintings I jumped on this SOLELY FOR THEM. Silly me. i thought reproduction meant accurate, complete and color paintings woudl be in, you know, COLOR. Instead, it's an extremely bad photocopy albeit bound in a deceptive beautiful cover, black and white photocopy. It's not even legible in parts and the paintings I bought it for - other books are far more expensive - blurred, horrible black and white GARBAGE. I am returning it for a full refund. Shame on those of you who reviewed saying the pictures were good. Only one that said they were bad was a review for the paperback. You made me think the hardcover was better done and helped this publisher scam. Shame on them and also shame on you.

Illustrations are great and printed on high-quality paper.

Siento decir que me decepcionó muchísimo recibir este libro con tapa dura a color y el interior con fotocopias en blanco y negro, incluidas las ilustraciones. Lo devolví, claro

Bardzo szybka wysyłka. Książka nowa, bez uszkodzeń.

L'edizione con copertina rigida è meravigliosa, formato grande e qualità di stampa incredibile.Le illustrazioni poi sono mozzafiato

Ok so the original of this is found in 120 or so sets of 'Double Elephant Folio Books' - I say 'books' but as they are about 4ft tall, by 3ft wide, and take two people to turn a page, 'books' is stretching the use of name.The complete sets usually sell at auction for about $8-12 million. They consist of 455 hand coloured prints or 'plates' in various sizes , printed using hand etched copper plates, on velum like paper, that was not glossy. The images taken from the Audubon's original paintings and drawings.The history of the books, which were originally sold as part-works and subsequent reproductions is as interesting as the art itself. There are certainly lots of copies of early books and plates that go for thousands and hundreds of thousands of pounds.There are seven or so complete sets of Audubon Double Elephant Folio in the UK, One in the British Library, one in the Natural History Museum, who created this reproduction, and one in the Central Library in Liverpool. The last two are on public display. I expect that this is a much more true to life reproduction, than ones published on glossy paper, especially as the N.H. Museum had their own copy especially photographed.I think it's a fantastic achievement for the money. They have kept faith with the original in terms of the order, and so on, which is as it should be, The only thing I would criticize is that the index & plate information as the end. Which is not very through, and in very small type. A few more pages of that in a better format, would have made this even closer to perfect, than it already is.