John James Audubon (After)

Five hand-colored engravings, with etching and aquatint, 1834-38, by R. Havell, on wove paper, Californian, Plumed and Thick-legged Partridges, and Willow Grous with the J. Whatman watermarks, the dates trimmed, TOGETHER WITH one hand-colored lithograph, 1843, by J.T. Bowen, on wove paper, each framed (6 prints)

The Californian Partridge (Plate CCCCXIII) sheet is in good condition, with wide margins, and the colors slightly attenuated. Minor nicks on the top and right sheet edges, and a few inconspicuous areas of rubbing in the upper plate. One small fox mark in the left margin shows through to the verso, with mat stain at the sheet edges. Verso with pale, uneven mat stain and scattered, light fox marks and lightened spots across sheet. The Buff breasted Sandpiper (Plate CCLXV) subject is in generally good condition, with wide margins, and the sheet laid down. There is a small tear on the left sheet edge (less than 1/4 in.). The paper tone is slightly varied across the sheet with a few tiny, scattered fox marks, and some small, inconspicuous areas of scraping. Minor mat stain on the extreme sheet edges and a tiny, faint water stain on the lower left sheet edge. The Willow Grous (Plate CXCI) subject is in good condition, with wide margins, and the sheet laid down. The plate and issue numbers are erased, and the attribution in the lower left corner lightened. There is a small nick (1/4 in) in the upper left unprinted area of the plate, and small areas of thinning in the upper right corner. The colors are slightly attenuated, a few inconspicuous fox marks, and the paper tone slightly varied across the unprinted areas and at the sheet edges, probably due to mat stain. The Plumed Partridge and Thick-legged Partridge (Plate CCCCXXIII) sheet is in good condition, with wide margins, and the colors strong. (In other impressions the berries in the lower right image are red, whereas here they are green.) Minor paper loss along the left, top and right sheet edges where mat stain has made the paper brittle. Inconspicuous rubbing at the corner of the lower left platemark and faint, scatted fox marks throughout. Verso with minor surface soiling and a few scattered fox marks. The Red-breasted Sandpiper (Plate CCCXV) subject is in good condition, margins trimmed so the J. Whatman watermark not visible, colors slightly attenuated, and the sheet laid down. Minor surface soiling with a pale fox mark just above the standing bird, a few minor scattered fox marks in the unprinted areas, and faint, inconspicuous lighter spots in the margins. Minor mat stain on the extreme sheet edges and remnants of graphite across the bottom sheet edge. The Marsh Hare (Plate XVIII) sheet is in good condition, with wide margins (trimmed unevenly), and the colors strong. A small tear in the upper sheet edge (1/4 in.) and a narrow, horizontal cut (3 1/4 in.) into the sheet edge from the trimming, with small tears in the left sheet edge (the largest measuring 1/2 in.), a minor nick and two small tears (the largest measuring 3/4 in.) in the lower right corner, and a repaired tear in upper right corner. Very pale mat stain on the left and right sheet edges, adhesive stain from verso showing through to recto in upper left corner, and a tiny accretion in the lower left corner. Soft vertical creases where sheet was previously folded are most visible on verso.
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:
Willow Grous (Plate CXCI)
Buff breasted Sandpiper (Plate CCLXV)
Red-breasted Sandpiper (Plate CCCXV)
Californian Partridge (Plate CCCCXIII)
Plumed Partridge and Thick-legged Partridge (Plate CCCCXXIII)
Marsh Hare (Plate XVIII)