Lot 145: Audubon Wild Turkey from Birds of America, Bien Edition

After John James Audubon (Haiti/New York, 1785-1851) double elephant folio chromolithograph depicting a life-sized, male American Wild Turkey who stands among a variety of plants and against a blue sky, 1858. From The Birds of America edition by Julius Bien (Germany/New York, 1826-1909). Marginal text reads “Plate,” upper right, plus “Drawn From Nature by J.J. Audubon, F.R.S. F.R.S.” and “Chromolithy by J. Bien, New York, 1858,” lower margin. Housed under glass in a wooden frame. Sight: 39″ H x 26″ W. Framed: 45″ H x 32″ W. Note: The wild turkey was among the three prints produced by Bien in 1858. The absence of numbering in the upper margin suggests that this impression may be especially early. Other known impressions of this print read “1-1,” upper left, and “Plate 287,” upper right.

PROVENANCE: Private Middle Tennessee Collection.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition, with full margins. With repaired 1″ L marginal tear to lower left edge, outside of text. 1″ L crease to lower right edge, outside of image, plus minor dog-ear crease to upper left corner. 1/4″ L. Two specks of foxing to upper left, also outside of image. Minor, even toning to sheet.