John James Audubon papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- John James Audubon papers
- Date
- 1828, undated (inclusive)
- Extent
- 0.1 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Artists.
- Naturalists.
- Preferred Citation
- 87M4: [Identification of item], John James Audubon papers, 1828, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Artist, ornithologist and naturalist John James Audubon was born in France, traveled to America in 1804, stayed for a while in Philadelphia and came to Kentucky in 1807. In partnership with Ferdinand Rozier, Audubon bought a stock of goods in New York and went to Louisville, Kentucky where the two of them opened a general store. In 1810 they moved their business to Henderson, Kentucky. While in Kentucky, Audubon's interests in natural history and ornithology continued, but the business partnership with Rozier was not a success and was dissolved. Audobon studied and drew birds in their habitats, culminating in his color plate book, The Birds of America, 1827-1831, which is considered a notable ornithological work of the 19th century.
- Scope and Content
- The John James Audubon papers (dated 1828, undated; 0.1 cubic feet; 3 items) consist of thre manuscript items related to John James Audubon: a letter, a written recollection, and handwritten description of the Kentucky Warbler. The letter was written by Audubon from London to his son, Victor, about his desire to have his family join him in London. In the letter Audubon describes several specific works and comments on his improved financial state. The collection also includes a four page document entitled "Boon's [sic] Powers of Retention" in which Daniel Boone recounts to Audubon how a boundary dispute was settled by locating an ash tree upon which Boone had cut three notches while escaping from the Indians 25 years earlier. In this lengthy account that is undated, Audubon details what they were wearing, descriptions of the environment and activities of Native Americans. The final item in this collection is an undated manuscript describing the Kentucky Warbler in the White Cucumber tree entitled "Kentucky Warbler". It is the field description for plate 38 of The Birds of America, 1827-1831.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
John James Audubon letter to Victor Audubon, 1828 December 11
- Folder 1
Scope and Contents
Unable to find a publisher in America, Audubon sailed to England in 1826, gambling his wife's savings in the hope that he might be able to see his sketches and paintings published. Again, having no success, he spent a year slowly acquiriting subscribers, and only when His Majesty George IV signed for The Birds of America and set the fashion in his favor was Audubon confident that his life's work would appear in its finished form. Acting as his own publisher, he found in Robert Havell, Jr. the engraver that his standards required. Birds of America, in elephant folio size, began to appear in parts in 1827, and quickly realized critical and financial success. In late 1828, Audubon was just beginning to realize a profit from The Birds of America. He was anxious to convince his wife , Lucy, to join him in London. In a signed letter of 1828 to his eldest son, Victor, then a clerk in Louisville, Audubon writes from London of his desire to have his family join him. In addition, he describes the status of The Birds of America. He writes, "I will send you what I call the first volume of my voluminous work in about 2 months. It will be bound in sepia leather and will be a monument to my having existed."
"Boon's Powers of Retention", undated
- Folder 2
Scope and Contents
In this lengthy, undated account, Audubon writes of Daniel "Boon's (sic) powers of retention." Audubon lived in Kentucky between 1807 and 1819. In partnership with Ferdinand Rozier, Audubon bought a stock of goods in New York and went to Louisville where they opened a general store. In 1810 they moved their business to Henderson, Kentucky. There Audubon met Daniel Boone who recounted to Audubon how he helped settle a boundary dispute by correctly locating, 25 years after the event, an ash tree upon which he had cut three notches while escaping capture by Native Americans.
"Kentucky Warbler" description, undated
- Folder 3
Scope and Contents
While in Kentucky, Audubon's interests in natural history and ornithology continued. His observations of the Kentucky Warbler and White Cucumber tree are described in an undated Audubon manuscript entitled "Kentucky Warbler," the field description for plate 38 of The Birds of America.
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Table of Contents
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
