Audubon Chart No 1 Value Guide

The 1898 Audubon Chart No 1 is a seminal piece of American conservation history, commissioned by the Massachusetts Audubon Society to promote bird preservation over hunting. This vintage lithograph school chart features detailed illustrations of North American birds, serving as both a pioneering educational tool and a masterpiece of late 19th-century natural history art.

What Is Audubon Chart No 1 Worth?

The typical price range for Audubon Chart No 1 is $350 - $450 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Physical condition, specifically the presence of water stains, foxing, or significant tears in the paper.
• Completeness of the original hanging hardware or wooden dowels often used in school settings.
• Vibrancy of the original lithographic inks, as sun-fading significantly reduces the market value.
• Provenance and authenticity of the 1898 first edition printing versus later reproductions.

How to Identify Audubon Chart No 1?

• Verify the 'Massachusetts Audubon Society' imprint and the 1898 publication date typically found at the bottom.
• Check for the specific lithographic texture and aging patterns consistent with late 19th-century paper and ink.
• Ensure the chart features the original educational layout depicting multiple common North American bird species in a single composition.
• Look for evidence of the original mounting style, as these were frequently issued as hanging schoolroom charts.

History of Audubon Chart No 1

Created and distributed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society in 1898, this chart was part of a series designed to educate the public and schoolchildren about local ornithology. These charts served a vital purpose in the early conservation movement, utilizing detailed illustrations to foster appreciation for birds, often contrasting with the previous tradition of bird hunting for fashion or scientific collection. They are highly sought after by collectors of natural history and antique educational materials.