Subtitled The Audubon Society baby elephant folio , this spectacular new edition reproduces all 435 of Audubon's hand-colored engravings from the original plates of the Audubon Society's archival copy of the Double elephant folio . Reorganized and annotated by the famed Roger Tory Peterson (who also
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
In the review of the original volume, LJ 's reviewer called this "the finest edition since the original double-elephant folio" and recommended its purchase by "all but the smallest libraries" ( LJ 1/1/82). Since then, no other edition has appeared to alter those judgments. The revisions in this new version are minor: the text has been somewhat rewritten, mainly to reflect recent changes in bird names and classification, and some of the double-page plates of the original have been reduced to one page. At the price, libraries owning the original do not need to acquire this book, but libraries that missed the first edition will wish to consider this one--if budgets permit.
- Paul B. Cors, Univ. of Wyoming Lib., Laramie
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Paul B. Cors, Univ. of Wyoming Lib., Laramie
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
Roger Tory Peterson has been regarded as America's most notable ornithologist following the publication of A Field Guide to the Birds in 1934. Like Audubon, Peterson received many honorary degrees and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Honor. Virginia Marie Peterson is a scientist and an expert on the environmental effects of oil spills.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
In addition to the Baby Elephant Folio I recently purchsed the Birds of America by Sterling Publishing (from London Museum of Natural History). Had I purchased the Baby Elephant Folio in 1996 when it was first published I would have given it an "A+". However, the book is already 15 to 30 years old (depending on Edition) and I suppose that printing/reproduction has come a long way. I can only give the Baby Elephant Folio the grade of "B" today.
The colors are not true to the Havell prints in many, many prints. While they may have been adequate for the time, many prints appear washed-out and pale in color and there is consistent throuble throughout the volume of producing accurate wood colors and textures. Yellow warblers are orange. In some places the color is thin enough to see white (of the paper).
The layout is good and a lot of thought went into placing birds with similar backgrounds on opposing pages. Some prints are double-wide but this is of little consequence since the binding doesn't allow a clear view of the entire print (some part of the print is always tucked-away in the center of the book).
The Sterling publication, on the other hand, has superb clarity and color. The tree bark textures are crisp and are more faithful reproductions of the Havell prints. Additionally, the colors appear deep as though they were hand colored. The aquatinted tones (gradation white-grey-black)) are superb and makes the grey birds look tremendous. In the Baby elephant Folio such gradations in color appear grainy and uneven.
I am happy to own both and the Baby Elephant Folio brings larger prints and more descriptive text to the table. But to truly appreciate the original Audubon prints I would seek a copy of Sterling's Birds of America before the Baby Elephant Folio.
Birds of America
The colors are not true to the Havell prints in many, many prints. While they may have been adequate for the time, many prints appear washed-out and pale in color and there is consistent throuble throughout the volume of producing accurate wood colors and textures. Yellow warblers are orange. In some places the color is thin enough to see white (of the paper).
The layout is good and a lot of thought went into placing birds with similar backgrounds on opposing pages. Some prints are double-wide but this is of little consequence since the binding doesn't allow a clear view of the entire print (some part of the print is always tucked-away in the center of the book).
The Sterling publication, on the other hand, has superb clarity and color. The tree bark textures are crisp and are more faithful reproductions of the Havell prints. Additionally, the colors appear deep as though they were hand colored. The aquatinted tones (gradation white-grey-black)) are superb and makes the grey birds look tremendous. In the Baby elephant Folio such gradations in color appear grainy and uneven.
I am happy to own both and the Baby Elephant Folio brings larger prints and more descriptive text to the table. But to truly appreciate the original Audubon prints I would seek a copy of Sterling's Birds of America before the Baby Elephant Folio.
Birds of America
26 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If you are a birder and you collect all the great bird books, your collection is not complete until you get this. A beautiful book, contained in a hard case, with excellent printing. A steal at $250 at its original price, now knocked down between $125 to $185. Get this book! A great tribute to Peterson and Audubon.
65 of 88 people found the following review helpful
By Don
Format:Hardcover
Let me qualify my remarks by first saying that I have not even seen this version. I have no doubt that the printing is of the highest quality, but I have a serious reservation about the organization of this book. Audubon deliberately mixed his birds in a non-taxonomic order to maintain a freshness and an element of suprise. I recently acquired a large format copy published by Welcome Rain, which follows Audubon's original order. The effect is a delightful romp through nature, full of suprises, drama and movement. He never intended it to be a catalog with all his ducks in a row, it was to be an experience. I have seen an abridged, small format edition of his paintings arranged in the standard, dull taxonomic order of a typical field guide and the effect is nothing like seeing them in the order Audubon intended. Rearranging the plates for convenience of listers diminishes this work, and to a certain extent, is a disservice to the artist. While I am happy to see that his work remains in print and is being reproduced at very high standards, I would hope that it would be viewed as a symphony, not as a random collection of notes needing to be organized alphabetically.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Favorite Book
It is the most beautiful book I have ever owned.I bought it for a gift but I could not stop looking at Audubon's gorgeous birds. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Victoria J. Killen
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Buyers Suggestion
I have not seen this product, but due to the price I would just like buyers to consider the 'Sterling" edition of this volume also available (it's the one with a Pelican on the... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Jeff Raymond
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Birds of America
My good friend and neighbor owned a book like this, but it was the smaller version. As soon as I layed eyes on it and poured through all of its wonder, I knew that I would have to... Read more
Published 17 months ago by MrDrProfessor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tiny Audubon Treasure
Abbeville has done a wonderful job producing this marvelous miniature of the fabulous baby elephant folio edition. Read more
Published 18 months ago by L. Costa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes, it's big, heavy, and pricey ...
but it's a great thing for a birder to own. Beautiful plates - the quality is hard to believe. For what you get an incredible price. If you love books and birds, you'll love it.
Published on April 23, 2011 by Kenneth Gregory
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Family Heirloom
We keep this beautiful book open on a fine antique table in the foyer of our home. Every few days someone will change the page to a new, breath-taking piece of art. Read more
Published on April 2, 2011 by Mr. Burke
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most priceless bird book to treasure
I adore this book, with it's priceless drawings of birds by members of the Audubon Society. Being a birder, the illustrations are fantastic in helping one delineate between... Read more
Published on October 30, 2010 by Amanda A.
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is an absolutely gorgeous book.
This book is absolutely beautiful. It was good as new. We have it on our family room table and open to a new picture every day. Read more
Published on March 18, 2010 by Spreitzer in Missouri
5.0 out of 5 stars
Audubon Baby Elephant folio
This book is very large and very heavy. It arrived in a timely manner and in excellent condition. The photos are beautiful and well written. Read more
Published on January 17, 2010 by William C. Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is regarding the Baby Elephant Folio of this book...
As stated in the Description, it is approximately 15" x 12" x 3" and weighs around 13 pounds! This is a biiiiiiig book, and beautiful! Read more
Published on January 25, 2009 by CAT
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