AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY; OR, THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES: ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES Engraved and Colored from Original Drawings taken from Nature
DateSeptember 1, 1808
Maker
Alexander Wilson
(1766-1813)
Publisher
Bradford & Inskeep
Printer
R. & W. Carr
MediumBlack and white line engravings colored by hand, text pages, bound with leather spines and marbleized boards
Dimensions11" (h) X 14" (h) X 3/4"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2018-147,1
DescriptionThis is the first issue of volume 1 of Wilson's nine-volume work. Only two hundred copies of the first issue were printed before Wilson embarked on a tour to solicit subscribers. When returning to Philadelphia, his subscriber list was long enough to warrant a second printing of the first volume (see 2018-147, 10 for a copy of the second printing of vol. 1). Three hundred copies were printed of the second issue of volume 1.The depiction of the Red-bellied woodpecker in Plate VII was altered after the first edition was printed by changing the position of the head so that the bird is seen attempting to eat an insect that he added to the branch above. This particular copy of the first printing of volume 1, which was likely presented to William Bartram along with volume 2 (inscribed to Bartram--2018-147,2), contains both versions of plate VII.
Label TextThis catalog entry (2018-147, 1-17) comprises Alexander Wilson’s nine-volume “Ornithology,” an additional four volumes by Charles Lucian Bonaparte that constitute a continuation of Wilson’s work, one original watercolor by Wilson, and two manuscript letters written by Bonaparte. Specific information pertaining to the individual volume or loose materials is included in the separate entry.
2018-147, 1- Volume 1 (first issue) Wilson’s Ornithology
2018-147, 2- Volume 2 Wilson’s Ornithology
2018-147, 3- Volume 3 Wilson’s Ornithology
2018-147, 4- Volume 4 Wilson’s Ornithology
2018-147, 5- Volume 5 Wilson’s Ornithology
2018-147, 6- Volume 6 Wilson’s Ornithology
2018-147, 7- Volume 7 Wilson’s Ornithology
2018-147, 8- Volume 8 Wilson’s Ornithology
2018-147, 9- Volume 9 Wilson’s Ornithology
2018-147, 10- Volume 1 Wilson’s Ornithology (second issue)
2018-147, 11- Volume 1 Bonaparte’s Ornithology
2018-147, 12- Volume 2 Bonaparte’s Ornithology
2018-147, 13- Volume 3 Bonaparte’s Ornithology
2018-147, 14- Volume 4 Bonaparte’s Ornithology
2018-147, 15 Original Wilson watercolor for plate 68
2018-147, 16 Manuscript letter from Bonaparte to Audubon
2018-147, 17 Manuscript letter from Bonaparte to an unknown recipient (perhaps Havell)
Alexander Wilson’s 9-volume publication contains 76 plates that depict 320 birds from 278 species. In the Introduction to the first volume, Wilson noted that he adopted the classification system published by Dr. Latham in his “Index Ornithologicus” and “General Synopsis of Birds.”
All of the illustrations were created after drawings that Wilson made during his travels over a seven year period. Numerous engravers contributed to the project such as Alexander Lawson, George Murray, Benjamin Tanner, and J. Warnicke. Much of the hand-coloring was undertaken by Wilson himself as indicated in the preface to volume IV, “the correct execution of the plates will be rendered more secure, by the constant superintendence of the Author; and by the whole of the colouring being performed in his own room, under his immediate inspection.”
Wilson died during the production of volume 8. The completion of volume 8 and the editing of volume 9 were overseen by Wilson’s good friend, George Ord, later President of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. Charles Lucian Bonaparte continued Wilson’s work by publishing 4 additional volumes, describing 60 birds not in the original work. Bonaparte noted in the preface to his first volume, “A love for the same department of natural science, and a desire to complete the vast enterprise so far advanced by Wilson’s labors, has induced us to undertake the present work in order to illustrate what premature death prevented him from accomplishing, as well as the discoveries subsequently make in the feathered tribes of these States.” While Wilson personally executed the drawings for his volumes, several artists contributed to those produced by Bonaparte, such as Titian R. Peale, A. Rider, and one after Audubon and Rider.
Wilson’s work was the most comprehensive illustrated work on the subject published to date. Additionally, it was completely produced in America—the drawings were made in America, the plates were engraved in America and it was printed in America on paper made in America.
2018-147,1- Volume 1- First issue
Contains a Title page, Preface, Index to the first volume, an Introduction, and
Nine plates illustrating 34 species accompanied by text for each. For each bird, Wilson cited publications in which they had been previously illustrated.
Plate I
Blue Jay
Goldfinch
Baltimore Oriole
Plate II
Wood Thrush
Robin
White-Breasted, Black-Capt Nuthatch
Red-Bellied Black-Capt Nuthatch
Plate III
Gold-Winged Woodpecker
Black-Throated Bunting
Blue-Bird
Plate IV
Orchard Oriole (illustrating both males and females, males of the second and third years, males with complete plumage, and eggs of the Orchard Oriole and Baltimore Oriole)
Plate V
Great American Strike, or Butcher Bird
Pine Grosbeak
Ruby-Crowned Wren
Shore Lark
Plate VI
Maryland Yellow-Throat
Yellow-Breasted Chat
Summer Red-Bird (male and female)
Indigo Bird
American Redstart
Plate VII
Cedar-Bird
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-Throated Flycatcher
Purple Finch
Plate VIII
Brown Creeper
Golden-Crested Wren
House Wren
Black-Capt Titmouse
Crested Titmouse
Winter Wren
Plate IX
Red-Headed Woodpecker
Yellow-Bellied Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
InscribedThe following inscription is found on the front flyleaf:
"This Copy of the first two volumes of the ornithology was purchased in Paisley. When procuring information and materials for the Biography of Wilson. on shewing them to Mr. Ord while at Jardine Hall in 1855, he recognized the hand writing of Wilson on the title of the 2nd volume and considered it as one of the very first copies of the work coloured by Wilson's own hand. The first copy he presented to his father, the second to his friend Bartram-- This Edition is remarkable also in plate VII, in the later editions the red bellied Woodpecker in plate VII was not considered fortunate in attitude was altered by Mr Lawson as may be seen on comparing the annexed plate copied from the second edition with that in this volume. The attitude of the head was erased and reengraved-- the Insect on the Branch on which the cedar Bird is perched added
Jardine Hall
oct. 3d 1855"
ProvenanceVolumes 1 and 2 were presented to William Bartram (the inscription is in volume 2). Presumably Bartram was presented with the first issue of volume 1.
The two copies of volume 1 and 2 were then owned by William Jardine (see the inscription in on the endpaper of volume 2). Volumes 3-9 are inscribed "John Ford." The entire set, including the Bonapart volumes, the original watercolor, and 2 manuscript letters were owned by Dr. Evan Morton Evans (1870-1955) and his son Daniel Webster Evans (1907-1966). The most recent owner, prior to being purchased by Colonial Williamsburg, was New York collector Gilbert Butler.
1860-1880
April 1, 1773
Probably 1832-1837
January 1, 1756
ca. 1840