John James Audubon (After)

Four hand-colored engravings, with etching and aquatint, 1834, by R. Havell, on wove paper, the Marsh Hens and Virginia Rail with the J. Whatman Turkeymill 1834 watermark, and an indecipherable Turkeymill watermark on the Sora or Rail, each framed (4 prints)

The Sora or Rail was unexamined out of the frame as the sheet is glued to the frame on the left edge. The sheet is in good condition with wide margins, and the colors slightly attenuated. The upper sheet edge has small, evenly spaced stitching holes and remnants of binding adhesive, and two small tears on the lower right sheet edge. Some small areas of surface soiling and soft handling creases in the margins, pale light-stain in unprinted areas of image, extending to just beyond the platemark, a few pale fox marks scattered throughout image and sheet, and minor areas of mat stain on sheet edges. The Salt Water Marsh Hen sheet is in good condition, with wide margins, the immediate foreground very slightly attenuated. The upper left sheet edge has a small stiching hole and minor paper loss along the extreme edge indicating previous binding. Two small repaired tears (1/4 - 3/4 in.) on left top and bottom sheet edges, with a couple minor nicks along the bottom sheet edge, and minor paper loss on both right corners. Very slight mottling across margins into the image, with a few inconspicuous fox marks scattered throughout, and mat stain on extreme upper, right and bottom sheet edges. Some small areas of surface soiling and soft handling creases in the margins. Verso with very faint surface soiling, some scattered, tiny fox marks, and faint adhesive remnants in the left corners, visible on both recto and verso. The Fresh Water Marsh Hen sheet is in good condition with wide margins and strong colors. The upper and lower sheet edges are trimmed unevenly, with remnants of previous binding along the top right edge, two minor tears (less than 1/4 in.) in the top and bottom sheet edges, an inconspicuously repaired tear in the bottom sheet edge (1 1/2 in.), and a soft crease in the upper left corner. A few, very faint fox marks scattered throughout the margins, two inconspicuous lighter areas due to rubbing in the right and left margins, and soft handling creases along the edges. There is a fine horizontal line in the upper right margin, inherent to the paper, which does not extend into the image and should not be considered a condition issue. Verso with pale, uneven mat stain, a small cluster of fox marks in the plate, which do not show through to the recto, and a few very faint fox marks scattered throughout. The Virginia Rail sheet is in generally good condition with wide margins and the colors very slightly attenuated. Uneven light- and mat stain across and tiny fox marks scattered throughout the sheet. The sheet edges are trimmed unevenly, with some small nicks and tears, the largest measuring 1/2 in. on the bottom right edge, and a repaired tear into the upper right margin (3 in.). There is a fine horizontal line in the upper right margin, inherent to the paper, which does not extend into the image and should not be considered a condition issue. The verso with minor surface soiling and a few scattered fox marks throughout, and remnants of previous binding on the top right sheet edge.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This lot includes:
Fresh Water Marsh Hen (Plate CCIII)
Salt Water Marsh Hen (Plate CCIV)
Virginia Rail (Plate CCV)
Sora or Rail (Plate CCXXXIII)