Description
Description of Alexander Wilson's American Ornithology
This exceptional originally hand-colored engraving is from Alexander Wilson’s American Ornithology or The Natural History of the Birds of the United States. The engraving available is from the second edition published in 1829 by Collins & Co. in New York and Harrison Hall in Philadelphia. The second edition is more desirable than the first due to the larger and higher quality paper used. The same copper plates were used in publication so the subjects are identical to the first.
Alexander Wilson is known as the “Father of American Ornithology.” Wilson’s work, American Ornithology, was the first focused on only American birds. Wilson drew most of the birds for the work himself and employed Alexander Lawson and John G. Warnicke for the engraving.