Audubon's Birds of America: The Baby Elephant Folio

by Roger Tory Peterson (editor), Virginia Marie Peterson (Editor)

Abbeville’s classic edition of  The Birds of America  is back in stock―in a striking new package. The Baby Elephant Folio presents all 435 of John James Audubon’s brilliant hand-colored engravings in exquisite reproductions derived from the original plates of the rare Double Elephant Folio. Although many attempts have been made to re-create the splendid illustrations in Audubon’s masterpiece, nothing has ever equaled the level of fidelity achieved in this luxurious edition.

Organized and annotated by Roger Tory Peterson and Virginia Marie Peterson, this volume is as informative as it is beautiful. Its fascinating introduction places Audubon in the context of the history of American ornithological art and also reproduces a wide sampling of the work of his notable predecessors and disciples, including Roger Tory Peterson’s own rightfully famous paintings. A new systematic arrangement of the prints, following the modern classification of species, and descriptive captions about each bird allow us to appreciate Audubon's achievement in the light of modern ornithology.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Art, Birds, Reference, Science, Animals

696 pages, Hardcover

Published October 31, 2023

About the author

Roger Tory Peterson was an American naturalist, ornithologist, artist, and educator, and held to be one of the founding inspirations for the 20th century environmental movement.

Reviews

[ALLEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: this review is of the "Tiny" version, ISBN 978-0789208149. It measures less than five inches square, and less than one inch thick.

If you're like me, you have to darn many coffee-table books already. On my coffee table are the ones about the Beatles, a history of Chicago, an art book, and a Canadian railroading book I keep meaning to read all of. On top of THAT are the usual bills and magazines and supposedly guilt-inducing political mailers. But this 'Tiny' Audubon is just right, because it's "tiny" but telling. John James Audubon's birds are a classic of design, wonderfully realistic, and authentically American. Well worth having or to give as a present.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't resist this little memento after seeing the exhibition at Compton Verney. Stunning exhibition and great prints.

[Rose Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book, although cute, was a little too small which attributed to it being fairly inaccessible. The illustrations are very pretty but they are not the most helpful for learning to identify birds. I did enjoy the formatting/sectioning.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book contains beautiful reproductions of all of audubon's prints. i this book defines coffee table book, but unlike other coffee table books this one demands to be left open. i open it to a new page every day - my coffee table is so uncluttered now! also, the book has a 50 page forward on audubon, conservation, and art. i found a painting by eckelberry called 'black skimmers' which, i must have.

[Marianne]

RA to Non-fic

[Andrew Volpe]

Acquired from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Clinic library, 2001.

The biggest and heaviest book in my collection!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up at Housing Works several months back. Incredibly detailed illustrations. Good table of contents, no index.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plates are gorgeous! The art itself makes the book well worth the price.

[Trever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book doesn't go into any detail about the birds, but Audubon's plates are wonderful. Great intro book to better ones.

[Troy Farlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. Didn’t know any of this. Lovely little BIG book - and the paintings, fascinating.