Quadrupeds of North America

AUDUBON, John James, and BACHMAN, John. The Quadrupeds of North America. New York: V.G. Audubon, 1849-1854. 3 Vols. in 31 original parts. Vol. One titlepage and 1/2-title bound at front of part No. 1; Vol. Two titlepage at end of No. 20; Vol. Three titlepage, 1/2-title, and table of contents at end of No. 31. Indexes in Nos. 10, 21, and 31. 155 handcolored lithographed plates by W.E. Hitchcock, R. Trembly, and J.T. Bowen after J.J. and John Wodehouse Audubon. Partially-printed receipts (dated June & October, 1852) from Victor G. Audubon to J.C. Haviland for Nos. 20 & 23 laid in to their respective issues (bill for No. 23 signed by V.G. Audubon). 1st ed. in parts. Large 8vo. Each part in original printed wrappers, housed in custom red cloth chemises with slipcases, each with a black morocco gilt label, labels a bit rubbed and scuffed. Wrappers on parts 1 and 2 expertly rebacked with matching paper, tear on wrapper of parts 21 and 24 expertly repaired. Light wear and occasional chipping at edges of wrappers of a few other issues. A few spots of light soiling, light even tanning and an occasional light fox mark. Very good.
Bennett, p. 5. Nissen ZBI 163. Reese, Stamped with a National Character 38. Wood, p. 208. First octavo edition in the rare original parts of the final great natural history work from Audubon (1785-1851), with plates and descriptions of the quadrupeds of the United States including Texas, California and Oregon, as well as part of Mexico, the British and Russian possessions and Arctic regions. Audubon's collaborator on the Quadrupeds was the naturalist and Lutheran clergyman John Bachman (1790-1874), who had studied quadrupeds since he was a young man and was a recognized authority on the subject in the United States. The two began their association when Audubon stayed with Bachman and his family in Charleston for a month in 1831; this friendship was later cemented by the marriage of Victor and John W. Audubon to Bachman's daughters, Maria and Eliza. Audubon knew Bachman's contribution to the Quadrupeds would be crucial, and endeavored to convince his friend to lay aside his fears about the project. Audubon was eager to begin what he felt could be his last outstanding achievement in natural history, but Bachman was more cautious and worried that they were entering a field where "we have much to learn." Audubon persisted in his efforts to get him to take part, and Bachman, "anxious to do something for the benefit of Victor and John [Audubon]," eventually relented, with the final condition that all of the expenses and all of the profits should go to the Audubons. By 1835, Bachman had become indispensable to the Quadrupeds project, writing most of the text and editing the entire work.
With the success of the octavo edition of The Birds of America in mind, a similar edition of the Quadrupeds was envisaged from an early stage. The folio edition was published in 30 parts between 1845 and 1854, and publication of the first octavo edition began in 1849 and was also completed in 1854. Unfortunately Audubon did not live to see the completion of either project, and after his death in January 1851 the work was seen through to completion by his son, John Wodehouse Audubon. The two editions form a fitting memorial to the greatest natural history artist of his day.
The Prospectus, printed on the rear wrapper of each part, states: "The present will be a miniature copy of the large edition, with figures and descriptions of the Quadrupeds of the United States, (including Texas, California, and Oregon), part of Mexico, the British and Russian Possessions and Arctic regions of our continent. Each number will contain five plates, lithographed in a superior style and carefully coloured from the original drawings. The numbers will be delivered to subscribers at intervals of not less than one month, and the work will be completed in thirty numbers." This set is enhanced by the presence of two partially printed receipts (for parts 20 and 23), completed in manuscript and made out to the original owner 1852 and show a cost of one dollar for each of the two parts.
It is very rare to find the first octavo edition of Audubon's Quadrupeds in the original parts, especially in such nice condition.