Vintage Audubon Nature Encyclopedia
12-volume set published by Curtis Publishing Company, First Edition
The Audubon Nature Encyclopedia is a 12-volume, lavishly illustrated vintage reference work, often praised for its detailed, accessible articles on flora and fauna. This 1960s-era publication features Audubon’s classic art, color photos, and maps, making it a delightful, though somewhat aged, collector’s item for nature enthusiasts such as ourselves.
Amazing, right? Yes, but what is even more amazing is that we managed to acquire a set locally for the price of a good sandwich!
CloserLook
The Audubon Nature Encyclopedia, originally published in 1964–1965 by Curtis Books under the sponsorship of the National Audubon Society, contains roughly 2,392 pages and covers a wide array of topics, including flora, fauna, ecosystems, maps, and conservation.
Audubon’s work is recognized not just for its scientific detail but also for placing the birds in active, natural scenes, often using specimens he prepared himself. He famously painted specimens, or wired recently deceased birds, into life-like poses to capture precise detail. While the primary artist, Audubon, utilized assistants for backgrounds, such as Joseph Mason (floral details) and George Lehman (landscapes).
The aged look of the cream clothbound covers adds to the set’s vintage appearance, as do the illustrations and photographs. The illustrations in these books, while not of the original size, are wonderfully reproduced.
Many of John James Audubon’s works—including the American Flamingo (Plate 431)—were inspired by his 1832 trip to the Florida Keys to observe the birds in their natural habitat, are in the set.
LastThoughts
While the art in this encyclopedia is timeless, 50+ years is a long time, and some specific scientific data are outdated compared to modern references. Regardless, we can appreciate this set for its wonderful images and enjoy the text for the period from whence it was written. When we are done, we will pass it on to be enjoyed by the next generations of nature lovers.
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