lounge: Audubon family documents

Victor Gifford Audubon to G. H. Ryland
on his octavo birds subscription

Here we present a group of documents from 1840 to 1843 relating to a set of the first octavo edition of The Birds of America sold to a Canadian subscriber named G. H. Ryland.  The text of each document appears transcribed beneath the document.

The first item is a receipt for the first eight parts of the series.  

Recd New York May 9, 1840 of Honble G. H. Ryland Eight dollars, by the hand of Major Laing, for  Audubons Birds of America Nos 1 to 8 inclusive $8.00                                V. G. Audubon

The second document is a letter from Victor to Ryland dated 1842 requesting payment.

NewYork, June 29,1842

Sir

      May I take the liberty of asking you for 
the money on account of the Birds of America, 
and at the same time suggesting that if you 
forward more than the amount due, 
(by way of an advance) it will save us
postage.

I have the honor to be
        with great respect
              your (most obt sevant?)
                       V. G. Audubon

To
Hon. G. H. Ryland
        [Govt? House]
               Montreal

This sheet of paper is folded into another sheet that serves as the "envelope."  Victor appears to have addressed it to Montreal.  Montreal is crossed out and Quebec written in.  The paper is stamped "Forwarded." 

The last document is a longer letter written by Victor to Ryland in 1843.

New York, Jany 28, 1843

Dear Sir

        We have for some time had an 
account standing against you for sundry 
Numbers of the "Birds of America," which 
our agent at Quebec, Mr Martyn, informing
us that he cannot collect or settle with you.

        I now, take the liberty of sending you a 
statement of the account and we confidently 
hope you will immediately remit in the sum 
due us (Thirty-nine dollars).

         I understand also, that you declined 
taking your Copy of the "Quadrupeds of North 
America", when offered to you by Mr. Martyn.

       Should it have happened that anything 
has been said or done by Mr Martyn, that 
you have taken offence at, I should be glad 
to be made aware of it, and would take 
proper notice thereof - or if otherwise, I should 
be pleased to have you take the Copy you 
subscribed for, as we know no reason 
at present for your declining to do so.

        Hoping that you will excuse the plain 
manner I have taken of calling your attention 
to these matters, and that you will write as 

soon as you receive this letter. 

I have the honor to be
       Very Respectfully
            Your mo Obt Servant
                    V. G. Audubon

To
Hon. G. H. Ryland
        [etc etc etc?]
               Quebec

The following account of payment received appears to the right (on the same side of the sheet) as the text above. 

Hon. G. H. Ryland

1840 to, 1842.                  To J. J. Audubon Dr (?)
               To Nos^x 1 to 67 inclusive 8vo Edition of 
                      the Birds of America", 67 Nos @ 1$ = $67.--

1840.                         - Ch....? (Illegible) -
May 9.                  By Cash ___________  $8.--
1841. Apr 5.          "   ditto fr British
                                    agent at New York   20.          28.--
                                     Balance due Mr Audubon      $39--
                               

^x I am not sure whether Mr Moore the British agent 
at New York forwarded you N^os 63 to 67, if not 
the balance against you would be only $34.
      Do you not wish the remaining numbers 
of this work?  It is complete in 100 N^os.

Respectfully,

V. G. Audubon

This large sheet of paper is folded so that the side opposite the first page of the letter serves as "envelope." It is postmarked New York January 28 without year.  The address on the second letter is to Ryland at "Government House" in Quebec.

Last updated 09.05.05