John James Audubon (After)

Five hand-colored engravings, with etching and aquatint, 1835-36, by R. Havell, on wove paper, Common Gallinule with the J. Whatman 1834 watermark, Least Water-hen dated 1836, Yellow-breasted Rail and Purple Gallinule dated 1837, and American Coot with the J. Whatman Turkeymill 1834 watermark, each framed (5 prints)

The Least Water-hen (Plate CCCXLIX) is in good condition, with wide margins, trimmed slightly, colors very slightly attenuated. A repaired tear in the top sheet edge (approx 1 3/4 in.), a crease in the lower right corner where the paper had been folded back, and soft handling creases throughout the margins, including the lower left corner and the lower center margin, both of which are most visible on the verso. Very pale discoloration at the sheet edges, and a couple tiny fox marks and stains in the extreme margins. The verso with very minor surface soiling. The Yellow-breasted Rail (Plate CCCXXIX) is in generally good condition, with wide margins, trimmed slightly, colors very slightly attenuated. A small crease in the lower right corner where previously folded, and a faint horizontal line, inherent to the paper, extending from the right sheet edge into the margin. Minor surface soiling with faint, scattered fox marks throughout sheet, very pale discoloration at the extreme sheet edges, and soft handling creases in the margins. The verso with minor surface soiling and pale, uneven mat-stain throughout. The Purple Gallinule (Plate CCCV) is in good condition, wide margins trimmed slightly, colors slightly attenuated. Minor surface soiling with pale light-stain in the platemark, a few small, scattered fox marks in the unprinted areas, two inconspicuous abraded areas in the upper right corner of the platemark and the lower margin, a thin brown stain in the lower right margin, pale discoloration with minor nicks and tears (the largest measuring 1/2 in.) at the extreme sheet edges, and a pin-hole in the left sheet edge. Soft handling creases throughout, with a crease in the lower left corner visible upon close inspection. The verso with very minor surface soiling, stray ink in the lower right corner, and scattered fox marks, a few of which show through to the recto. The Common Gallinule (Plate CCXLIV) is in good condition, wide margins trimmed slightly, colors slightly attenuated. Minor surface soiling, a few small, scattered fox marks in the unprinted areas, an inconspicuous abraded area in the left center of the platemark visible only upon close inspection, uneven discoloration with minor nicks and tears (the largest measuring 1/2 in.) at the extreme sheet edges, and small paper loss at lower right corner. Remnants of previous binding and stitching holes across the top sheet edge and soft handling creases throughout. The verso with minor surface soiling, uneven mat stain, and scattered fox marks, a few of which show through to the recto. The American Coot (Plate CCXXXIX) is in good condition, wide margins trimmed slightly, colors very slightly attenuated. Very pale, minor surface soiling, tiny, inconspicuous fox marks scattered in the unprinted areas, discoloration with minor nicks (the result of uneven trimming) at the extreme sheet edges, and a small loss in the lower right corner. Soft handling creases throughout, and two inconspicuous abraded areas in left margin. The verso with very minor surface soiling, small paper-colored accretions in lower left corner, and pale, scattered fox marks, a few of which show through to the recto.
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:
American Coot (Plate CCXXXIX)
Common Gallinule (Plate CCXLIV)
Purple Gallinule (Plate CCCV)
Yellow-breasted Rail (Plate CCCXXIX)
Least Water-hen (Plate CCCXLIX)