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the library: rare books
Audubon autograph
Click on the pictures to see larger images.
 
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If you have ever wanted to own something handwritten by Audubon, but
couldn't afford a complete letter or another document, a clipped signature
may be a reasonably priced alternative. The book itself is
not rare (the first edition is typically priced from $35-$75 for the
regular volume, and around $225-250 for one of forty-two numbered copies
that included a mezzotint portrait of Audubon by Cruickshank). As
far as we know, this is NOT one of those special numbered volumes, but it
does contain a tipped-in copy of the Cruickshank portrait over which is the clipped
signature. The paper that has the signature was folded at some time
in its past.
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We bought this volume from a reputable New England bookseller, John
LeBow, a member
of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA). We
personally have no expertise in the area of signatures, but Mr. LeBow
described the item as follows: "It is a genuine autograph that was
clipped from another document. The signature is distinct with the ink from
those times."
 
The photo above left shows a page of Audubon's
signatures over time from p. 63, Vol. I of Herrick's 1917
biography Audubon
The Naturalist (click to enlarge). The right-hand photo shows
an enlarged image of the bottom of p. 63.
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If anyone can offer information or a
description of the special edition of the book (the one containing the
Cruickshank portrait), we would appreciate you contacting
us. |
back to pricing and
condition information for this book
Last updated 02.28.09
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