Vintage Bird Prints

Like plant and flower prints, the 19th century saw some of the finest BIRD PRINTS. The printing processes had developed and the best artists, engravers, lithographers and publishers worked together to create masterful book projects that have become legendary.

One of the first of these artists was John James Audubon (1785-1851). He was an American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter.

Audobon´s The Birds of America was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in Edinburgh and London.

The work consists of 435 hand-coloured, life-size prints, made from engraved plates, measuring around 99 by 66 cm.

In December 2010, The Economist magazine estimated that five of the ten highest prices ever paid for printed books were paid for copies of The Birds of America.

Another classic and masterful bird book project was created by the von Wright brothers.

They were Magnus (1805-1868), Wilhelm (1810-1887) and Ferdinand (1822-1906).

These ornithologists, scientists, nature illustrators and artists were born in Haminalahti, Finland.

Brothers Magnus and Wilhelm von Wright  began the illustrative work Svenska Foglar ("Swedish birds") in August 1828. The book was ready by 1838 and contains 178 lithographs.