Havell Edition Audubon Engraving

"Shore Lark, Alauda Alpestris", Audubon, J. J.

This original aquatint is Plate 200 from the double-elephant folio Havell edition of Audubon’s great work on American ornithology, which is the most important ornithological work produced in America. The complete work was produced in less than 200 copies. Audubon traveled throughout the U.S. and recorded 435 life-size images of every native bird in the country, depicting them in natural poses in their native habitats. This engraving depicts several Shore Larks (now commonly known as Horned Larks), including a male and a female in summer plumage, a male in winter plumage, and three young chicks. Audubon drew three young Shore Larks during a trip to Labrador in the summer of 1833. Engraved, printed and hand colored by Robert Havell. The papermaker's watermark "J. Whatman 1837" is in the bottom left corner of the sheet. The full sheet measures 32-3/8 x 25-1/16".

References: Low, p. 122.

Condition: A

A clean and bright example with minor scattered foxing in the blank margins.