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Hard cover, 8vo, in cream cloth with titles in gold, 447pp. Black and white illustrations. **CONDITION: Near Fine in a fine d/j, now in mylar. An account of the Journey to England and Scotland to arrange the publication of "The Birds of America," in 1826. The diary concerns the artist's trip from Louisiana aboard the ship "Delos" toward Liverpool, from whence he hopes to secure funding to publish the now-classic work on American ornithology in Manchester or Edinburgh. The slow travel by ship in the early nineteenth century meant there was plenty of time to make studies of some of the marine mammals, fish and birds which come across the bow, and this edition includes new drawings from that time. Dealings with unhelpful customs agents, distant relatives, boredom, insecurity and homesickness, all flavor the frank brew of Audubon's anxious musings, making real the personality of the writer even two hundred years later. His reception was not all bleak, however. Midlands patrons do, in fact, step forward, bringing success and recognition as his portfolio of works is exhibited at Liverpool's Royal Institution, The influence of the artist Thomas Bewick's "Quadrupeds" is referred to a number of times, pushing the naturally reluctant Audubon forward in his quest. After initial reluctance of the Edinburgh scientific elite, his work finally finds initial publication in 1827 (to 1838) through Edinburgh engravings publisher Lizars. A good read for the Audubon enthusiast and student of nineteenth century publishing.
Ref: NATH 9403
$35.00