Object Number 1959.0162.032

Object Name

Print (Aquatint)

Title

Rice Bunting Male.1. F.2./ ICTURUS AGRIPENNIS./ Plant Acer rubrum.

Category

Prints and Maps

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Mrs. G. Brooks Thayer

Creator (Role)

Robert Havell Jr. (Engraver)
1793-1878
Engraver, printer, and colorist for many of the plates of Audubon's Birds of America.

Robert Havell Sr. (Printer and colorist)
1769-1832
By April 1818, it was apparent that Robert Havell Jr. had joined the family business, with the first appearance of a print with the engraver's credit to Robert Havell and Son. By 1822 his younger brother George Havell (1797-1823) was taking on letterpress printing jobs and sharing space in the family premises at 3 Chapel Street. A third sibling, Henry Augustus Havell, later played a central role in the production of The Birds of America. He would often be called upon to work up the outline etchings, to color the "pattern prints" to be used as guides for the teams of colorists employed in the project, and to oversee their work. ... With Audubon's project as the impetus, Robert Havell Jr. consented to reestablish the partnership with his father. They agreed that he would undertake the engraving of the plates, with his father to supervise their printing and coloring. For the first year or so of their collaboration, there were problems with the colorists under the elder Havell's supervision. However, by June 1828 Robert Havell Sr. had retired, and the partnership was officially dissolved. (Source: Joseph Goddu, "The Making of Audubon: The Birds of America" Antiques Magazine, (November 2002).)

John James Audubon (Designer and draftsman)
04/26/1785-01/27/1851
Works include Birds of America (1827-38) and Vivaparus Quadrupeds of North America (1845-51).

Place of Origin

London, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Origin Notes

Plate engraved, printed and colored by the Havells in London.

Secondary Place of Origin

Natchez, Adams, Mississippi, South, United States, North America

Secondary Origin Notes

Faint inscription on Audubon's painting reads: "May 11, 1822."

Date

1829

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Inscription ; Lower right; Engraved by R. Havell. Jun.\r
2. Inscription ; Lower right; Printed & Coloured by R. Havell. Sen.\r London_1829.
3. Inscription; Lower left; Drawn from Nature & Published by John J. Audubon, F.R.S.E. F.L.S. M.W.S.

Subjects

Zoological illustration

Materials

Ink; Watercolor; Paper (wove)

Techniques

Etched, Aquatint, Hand colored, Painted

Dimensions (inches)

38.3 (H) , 25.3 (W) , 18.3 (Image H) , 11.9 (Image W)

Dimensions (centimeters)

97.3 (H) , 64.3 (W) , 18.3 (Image H) , 11.9 (Image W)

Measurement Notes

Plate H: 19.4 in. (49.4 cm). Plate W: 12.2 in. (31.1 cm).

Publisher Summary

Audubon, John James

Place of Publication

London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

State

I

Watermark

"J WHATMAN/ TURKEY MILL/ 1828"

Coloring

Hand colored with watercolors

Edition Notes

From the first edition double-elephant folio of John James Audubon, The Birds of America (London: J. J. Audubon, 1827-39). Plate legend varies; second state plate legend is N.\o 11. PLATE 54./ Rice Bird,/ ICTERUS AGRIPENNIS. Ch. Bonap,/ Male, 1. Female, 2./ Red Maple, Acer rubrum./ Engraved, Printed, & Coloured, by R. Havell.

Object Description

Text available soon.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Low, Susanne M. 2002 A Guide to Audubon's Birds of America.
• Plate listed on p. 60.