AUDUBON, John James (1785-1851). The Birds of America. New York: J.J. Audubon; Philadelphia, J.B. Chevalier, 1840[-44].

First octavo edition of Audubon's masterwork. Following the success of his original 1827-1838 double-elephant folio edition of Birds, John James Audubon created 65 new drawings for this compact octavo edition. "The octavo edition of Audubon’s Birds was probably the greatest commercial success of any color plate book issued in 19th-century America. While Audubon had become internationally famous in the course of producing the double-elephant folio edition of Birds in London between 1826 and 1839, it was this octavo version, issued at $100, which achieved widespread circulation and brought the work into the homes of many well-to-do Americans" (Stamped with a National Character). The accompanying text is a revision of the Ornithological Biography, rearranged according to Audubon’s "A Synopsis of the Birds of North America" (1839). Ayer/Zimmer, p. 22; Bennett, p. 5; McGill/Wood, p. 208; Nissen IVB 51; Sabin 2364; Stamped with a National Character 34.

Seven volumes, royal octavo (250 x 165mm). Subscriber lists in vols 1, 2, and 4-6. 488 hand-colored lithographic plates (of 500) after Audubon's drawings from nature by W.E. Hitchcock, R. Trembly and others, printed and colored by J.T. Bowen, with wood-engraved anatomical illustrations in-text (without half titles, title-page lacking in vol 7; spotting and browning throughout, quite heavy in some parts; title and prelims of vol 1 with dampstain at far margin; toning and finger-soiling to some plates; several tissue guards with small losses; plate 448 "Herring or Silvery Gull" torn at gutter extending to image; a couple text leaves with short tears, touching text in a couple instances). Contemporary morocco gilt (rubbed at extremities with a few nicks to spines).