Havell Edition – Antique Originals

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Explore the wide selection of original Havell edition Audubon prints from the Birds of America. London printmakers Robert Havell and Robert Havell Jr. produced these prints between 1827 and 1836, featuring Audubon’s 1st edition double-elephant folio hand-colored engravings.

The Birds of America Havell edition Audubon prints were produced between 1827 and 1836 by London printmakers Robert Havell and Robert Havell Jr.. The first ten plates were created by the Scottish engraver W. H. Lizars, but he was forced to relinquish the project after his colorists went on strike.

The Havell edition prints, engraved with aquatint on 26 1/2″ x 39″ double-elephant folio-size sheets of Whatman paper, capture the tantalizing detail and life-like quality of Audubon’s birds. Audubon’s birds are rendered at life-size, making them some of the largest representations ever made.

Audubon’s folio consisted of 435 prints, which London printmakers Robert Havell and Robert Havell Jr. issued to 186 subscribers at the costly sum of $1,000 each. This amount was equivalent to the cost of a substantial home at that time. Among the 186 complete sets produced, library and museum collections worldwide preserve more than 100 intact sets. Over the years, some of the folios have been disassembled to make the prints available for individual sale. Joel Oppenheimer Gallery specializes in these rare, original engravings. We maintain an extensive inventory, including many prints in exceptionally fine condition.

For more information, check out our articles Audubon Print Collecting Guide and What is an Engraving? 

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 16, Great-footed Hawk

$16,000.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 26.25 x 39.75 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 24, Roscoe’s Yellow Throat

$5,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 39.25 x 26.38 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 29, Towee Bunting

$8,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 37.25 x 25.25 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 30, Vigors Vireo

$6,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 37.25 x 25.25 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl. 33, American Goldfinch

$22,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 38.25 x 25 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl. 33, American Goldfinch

$22,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 38 x 25 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 53, Painted Bunting

$12,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 38.63 x 25.88 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 55, Cuvier’s Wren

$5,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 38 x 25.75 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 63, White-eyed Flycatcher

$6,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 38 x 25.63 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 68, Republican or Cliff Swallow

$8,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 38.25 x 25.5 inches

$6,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 37.38 x 25.38 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 95, Yellow-poll Warbler

$6,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 37.25 x 24.63 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 99, Cow-pen Bird

$3,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 37.25 x 24.63 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 99, Cow-pen Bird

$4,000.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 25 x 38.25 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl. 106, Black Vulture

$18,000.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 38.25 x 25.88 inches

Havell Edition – Antique Originals

Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 114, White-crowned Sparrow

$6,500.00

Original Havell double-elephant folio hand-colored Engraving | circa 1827-1838 | 36 x 25.13 inches


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