The Birds of America Value Guide

This 1937 Macmillan edition represents the first time all 435 plates from John James Audubon's original elephant folio were reproduced in a single volume for the general public. It is a highly sought-after collectible because it made the seminal 19th-century ornithological work accessible, featuring an introduction and descriptive text by William Vogt.

What Is The Birds of America Worth?

The typical price range for The Birds of America is $150 - $165 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence and condition of the original dust jacket, which significantly increases market value.
• Internal cleanliness, specifically the absence of foxing, tears, or missing plates.
• The tightness of the binding, as this is a heavy volume prone to spine wear.
• Condition of the gold foil stamping and the integrity of the cloth-bound boards.

How to Identify The Birds of America?

• Look for the Macmillan Company imprint and the 1937 publication date on the title page.
• Verify the presence of the introduction and descriptive text written by William Vogt.
• Check for the specific cloth-bound boards featuring gold foil stamping on the spine and front cover.
• Confirm the inclusion of all 435 color plates, which are smaller than the original elephant folio but complete in number.

History of The Birds of America

John James Audubon's 'The Birds of America' was originally published in sections between 1827 and 1838. It is considered one of the greatest natural history books ever produced. This 1937 Macmillan edition was the first to reproduce all 435 plates from the original elephant folio in a single volume for the general public, featuring an introduction and descriptive text by William Vogt.