Audubon Family Books

In our Recent Research series, curator Heidi Taylor-Caudill shares answers to questions sent to the Audubon Museum about John James Audubon and his family, the museum’s collection, and the history of John James Audubon State Park.

In late May 2020, a researcher emailed us to ask whether the Audubon Museum has any books that were owned by John James Audubon or his immediate family. We responded with a list of 24 books that we have been able to identify as having once belonged to either John James Audubon (1785-1851), his wife, Lucy Bakewell Audubon (1787-1874), or his sons, Victor Gifford (1809-1860) and John Woodhouse Audubon (1812-1862). Images of the books, their titles, and brief descriptions are available below.

Questions? Contact Heidi at 502-782-9716 or [email protected].

Audubon Family Books in the Museum Collection

William MacGillivray, Descriptions of the Rapacious Birds of Great Britain (1836)
L.S. Tyler Collection, JJA.1938.584

William MacGillivray (1796-1852) was a Scottish naturalist and ornithologist who was a close friend of John James Audubon. He worked with Audubon to edit and add scientific detail to Audubon’s Ornithological Biography, or An Account of the Habits of the Birds of the United States of America, published between 1831-1839 as a companion to The Birds of America. Audubon named a subspecies of seaside sparrow after MacGillivray and included an illustration of the bird in The Birds of America (Plate 355, MacGillivray’s Finch).

MacLachlan & Stewart of Edinburgh published MacGillivray’s book, Descriptions of the Rapacious Birds of Great Britain, in 1836.

MacGillivray honored his friend with this dedication: “To John James Audubon, in admiration of his talents as an ornithologist, and in gratitude for many acts of friendship, this volume is dedicated by William MacGillivray.” Our copy of the book includes a hand-written inscription on the title page that reads: “To Mr. Audubon with the Author’s best wishes.”

Provenance (record of ownership): Owned by John James Audubon (1785-1851) and then passed down through the family to his great-grandson Leonard Sanford Tyler (1881-1928). In 1938, L.S. Tyler’s wife, Alice Dickson Jaynes Tyler (1883–1951), loaned the book and other Audubon material to the Audubon Museum in Henderson, Kentucky. This collection was later purchased for the museum in 1994 through numerous donations made to the Friends of Audubon as well as contributions from the Preston Foundation and the Kentucky Department of Parks.

John K. Townsend, Narrative of a Journey Across the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River, and a Visit to the Sandwich Islands, Chili, & c. with a Scientific Appendix (1839)
L.S. Tyler Collection, JJA.1938.585

John Kirk Townsend (1809-1851) was an American naturalist, ornithologist, and collector of animal specimens. He accompanied Boston naturalist Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859) on Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth’s second expedition to the Pacific Ocean between 1834 and 1835. Audubon later purchased many of the bird skins they collected on the trip and used some as models for his drawings in The Birds of America. He named several birds portrayed in The Birds of America after Townsend, including Townsend’s Warbler (Plate 393), Townsend’s Sandpiper (Plate 428), Townsend’s Solitaire (Plate 419), Townsend’s Cormorant (Plate 412), and Townsend’s Bunting (Plate 400, one of Audubon’s mystery birds).

Henry Perkins of 134 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania published Narrative of a Journey Across the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River, and a Visit to the Sandwich Islands, Chili, & c. with a Scientific Appendix in 1839. The book has green covers with an embossed vine pattern. Our copy is missing the covering on the spine.

The first page has a penciled inscription from Townsend to Audubon.

Provenance (record of ownership): Owned by John James Audubon (1785-1851) and then passed down through the family to his great-grandson Leonard Sanford Tyler (1881-1928). In 1938, L.S. Tyler’s wife, Alice Dickson Jaynes Tyler (1883–1951), loaned the book and other Audubon material to the Audubon Museum in Henderson, Kentucky. This collection was later purchased for the museum in 1994 through numerous donations made to the Friends of Audubon as well as contributions from the Preston Foundation and the Kentucky Department of Parks.

John Woodhouse Audubon, Illustrated Notes of an Expedition Through Mexico and California (1852)
L.S. Tyler Collection, JJA.1938.590

John Woodhouse Audubon (1812-1862) was the second son of John James (1785-1851) and Lucy Bakewell Audubon (1787-1874). He accompanied his father on travels to collect animal specimens and assisted him with drawings for Audubon’s publications. In 1849, John Woodhouse joined the California Company on an expedition led by Colonel Henry Livingston Webb (1795–1876) to the California gold fields. After cholera hit the group and thieves stole money from them, Webb resigned and other members left. John Woodhouse took over leadership of the expedition, guiding the men across northern Mexico and Arizona to San Diego, California.

A couple of years after his return to New York, John Woodhouse self-published an account of the ill-fated expedition in 1852. The book has black covers with the corners and spine bound in dark brown leather. Included with the letter press text are four uncolored engravings: “Canon, Jesus Maria;” “Jesus Maria;” “Fourth of July Camp;” and “The Night Watch.” An inscription in red ink on the inside back cover indicates that this book was John Woodhouse’s personal copy. It reads: “From the Library of J.W. Audubon.”

Provenance (record of ownership): Published in 1852 by John Woodhouse Audubon (1812-1862) and included in his personal library. After his death, his daughter, Maria Rebecca Audubon (1843-1925), owned the book. Based on the inscription, it appears that the book passed down to Maria Rebecca’s second cousin (grandson of Victor Gifford Audubon), Leonard Sanford Tyler (1881-1928), around December 24, 1925. In 1938, L.S. Tyler’s wife, Alice Dickson Jaynes Tyler (1883–1951), loaned the book and other Audubon material to the Audubon Museum in Henderson, Kentucky. This collection was later purchased for the museum in 1994 through numerous donations made to the Friends of Audubon as well as contributions from the Preston Foundation and the Kentucky Department of Parks.

Alexander Wilson, American Ornithology, or The Natural History of the Birds of the United States, volumes 1-8 (1808-1814)
L.S. Tyler Collection, JJA.1938.830-837                                       

Alexander Wilson (1766-1813) was a Scottish-American poet, ornithologist, and naturalist. He traveled throughout the United States, seeking bird specimens for a publication cataloging and illustrating all the bird species of North America called American Ornithology, or The Natural History of the Birds of the United States. This nine-volume set of books most likely inspired John James Audubon to later pursue his own publication, The Birds of America (1827-1838).

According to Audubon, the two men met in Louisville, Kentucky in 1810 when Wilson arrived at Audubon’s store to ask him to subscribe to the American Ornithology project. Audubon considered adding his name to the subscriber list, but eventually declined. He later searched for copies of Wilson’s American Ornithology, purchasing the first eight volumes in 1816. Today the Audubon Museum holds all of Audubon’s personal copies of American Ornithology in its collection. The books contain many notes and comments in Audubon’s own hand.

The eight volumes of American Ornithology owned by Audubon were published between 1808 and 1814 by Inskeep & Bradford of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The printer was Robert Carr (1778-1866), also of Philadelphia. The books have red marbled covers with the title printed in gold leaf on the spine. They are illustrated with color plates. All of the title pages except in volumes 7 and 8 are marked with Audubon’s signature followed by the words, “Louisiana 1816.”

Provenance (record of ownership): More research needs to be done. We know the books were owned by John James Audubon (1785-1851) because of his signature and the annotations inside. Apparently the books remained in the possession of the family after his death in 1851. In 1938, the wife of Audubon’s great-grandson Leonard Sanford Tyler, Alice Dickson Jaynes Tyler (1883–1951), loaned the books and other Audubon material to the Audubon Museum in Henderson, Kentucky. This collection was later purchased for the museum in 1994 through numerous donations made to the Friends of Audubon as well as contributions from the Preston Foundation and the Kentucky Department of Parks.

Charles-Lucien Bonaparte, American Ornithology, or the Natural History of Birds Inhabiting the United States, Not Given by Wilson, volumes 1-4 (1825)
L.S. Tyler Collection, JJA.1938.847-850

Charles-Lucien Bonaparte (1803-1857) was a French biologist and ornithologist who lived in the United States from 1824 to 1833. He was an acquaintance of John James Audubon. As part of the Philadelphia scientific community, he tried to persuade the Academy of Natural Sciences to accept Audubon as a member in 1824, but was opposed by ornithologist George Ord who disliked Audubon. Bonaparte published an updated edition of Alexander Wilson’s American Ornithology in four volumes between 1825 and 1833. This edition was called American Ornithology; or, The Natural History of Birds Inhabiting the United States, Not Given by Wilson. The Audubon Museum holds the complete set of Bonaparte’s American Ornithology owned by Audubon. His handwritten notes are included on many of the pages.

Volume 1 was published in 1825 by Carey, Lea & Carey of Chestnut Street, Pennsylvania. The book has red marbled covers and leather binding. It includes hand-colored engravings in addition to the text. There is a handwritten inscription on the title page with Audubon’s signature that reads, “John J. Audubon, Received from the Author December 10th, 1825 at Beech Woods, Louisiana.”

Volume 2 was published in 1828 by Carey, Lea & Carey of Chestnut Street, Pennsylvania. Like the other volumes, the book has red marbled covers and leather binding. It includes hand-colored engravings in addition to the text. The preface page is signed, “Rec d from the Author May 1829 – Philadelphia John J. Audubon.”

Volume 3 was also published in 1828 by Carey, Lea & Carey of Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. The first page of the chapter, “Palla’s Dipper,” is signed, “Rec d from the Author May 1829 – Phila J. J. Audubon.”

Volume 4 was published in 1833 by Carey & Lea of Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. The title page is signed, “John J. Audubon J. R. S April 1833.”

Provenance (record of ownership): Owned by John James Audubon (1785-1851) and then passed down through the family to his great-grandson Leonard Sanford Tyler (1881-1928). In 1938, L.S. Tyler’s wife, Alice Dickson Jaynes Tyler (1883–1951), loaned the book and other Audubon material to the Audubon Museum in Henderson, Kentucky. This collection was later purchased for the museum in 1994 through numerous donations made to the Friends of Audubon as well as contributions from the Preston Foundation and the Kentucky Department of Parks.

William Shakespeare, Songs of Shakespeare (1843)
Henderson County Historical Society Collection, JJA.1948.6

John Woodhouse Audubon received Songs of Shakespeare as a parting gift from a friend after making a trip to London, England. The book contains songs from Shakespeare’s various works, including “The Winter’s Tale” and “The Tempest.” It is a blue, hardbound volume with gilt-edged pages. The cover title is decorated in gold lettering. Illustrations inside are by The Etching Club in London. A handwritten note addressed to Audubon and signed by B. Phillips is included with the book.

Provenance (record of ownership): Owned by John Woodhouse Audubon (1812-1862) and then passed down through the family. It appears that John Woodhouse’s daughter, Florence Audubon (1853-1949), passed the book on to E. Gordon Dillon (unknown-1960). At some point, E. Gordon Dillon either gave or sold it to Susan Starling Towles (1861-1954), whom the Audubon Museum’s accession register records as the collector. In 1948, the Henderson County Historical Society (who most likely received the book from Susan Starling Towles) donated it to the Audubon Museum.

Elisha Kent Kane, Arctic Explorations: the Second Grinnell Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin, 1853, ’54, ’55 , volume 1 (1857)
John James Audubon Museum Collection, JJA.1950.3   

Elisha Kent Kane (1820-1857) was an American explorer. He participated in two missions to rescue Sir John Franklin (1786-1847), a British explorer who disappeared while trying to chart the Northwest Passage in the Arctic. This book is volume 1 of Arctic Explorations: the Second Grinnell Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin, 1853, ’54, ’55. It was published in 1857 by Childs & Peterson in Philadelphia and Sheldon, Blakeman & Co. in New York.

The edges of the pages and the front cover appear singed. There are two handwritten notes in the book. One appears on the title page and reads, “From Shelbyville Fire 1875.” Another note records the owner as “Mrs. J.J. Audubon.”

Provenance (record of ownership): Owned by Lucy Bakewell Audubon (1787-1874). Damaged in 1875 in a fire at the home of a relative in Shelbyville, Kentucky. In 1950 S. Shaffer of Cincinnati, Ohio donated the book to the Audubon Museum.

Harper’s Brothers, Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, volume 12 (December 1855-May 1856), volume 13 (June-November 1856), volume 37 (June-November 1868)
Harriet Audubon Collection, JJA.1999.46.1-3  

One book is a hardbound copy of Volume 12 of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine dated December 1855 to May 1856. The book was published by Harper’s Brothers at Pearl Street, Franklin Square, New York. There are over 800 pages of text accompanied by many engravings, ranging from an illustration of George Washington crossing the Delaware to depictions of women’s fashion. Topics of articles include the “Conquest of Mexico by Hernando Cortez” and “Snake Charming.” Inscribed on the end paper in pencil are the words, “Mrs. J.J. Audubon.”

The second book is a hardbound copy of Volume XIII of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine dated June to November 1856. The book was published by Harper’s Brothers at Pearl Street, Franklin Square, New York. There are over 800 pages of text accompanied by many engravings, ranging from depictions of various college observatories to illustrations of vegetables. Topics of articles include the “Asiatic Cholera” and “Soldiering in Oregon.” Inscribed on the end paper in pencil are the words, “Mrs. J.J. Audubon.”

The third book is a hardbound copy of Volume 37 of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine dated June to November 1868. The book was published by Harper’s Brothers at Pearl Street, Franklin Square, New York. There are over 800 pages of text accompanied by many engravings, ranging from depictions of scenes of Peru to illustrations of fish and insects. Topics of articles include the “Among the Andes of Peru and Bolivia” and “Women’s Work and Wages.” This book is believed to have belonged to Lucy Bakewell Audubon.

Provenance (record of ownership): Owned by Lucy Bakewell Audubon (1787-1874) and then her granddaughter, Harriet Audubon (1839-1933). The books were donated to the Audubon Museum possibly in the 1930s, but was not accessioned until 1999.

George Tuberville and George Gasciogne, The Booke of Falconrie and The Book of Hunting (1611)
Susan Davis Collection, JJA.2002.1   

This is a book bound in brown leather with embossed lines bordering the edges of the cover. Both the front and back covers are detached. It is a second edition volume of two works, The Book of Falconrie by George Turberville (circa 1540-before 1597), and The Book of Hunting by George Gascoigne (1535-1577). The text is written in old English and includes several woodcuts of falconry scenes. Several names and other notes are inscribed on the inside of the front cover and the first page. Thomas Purfoot (1546-1615) printed the book.

The original record for this book states: “The two most famous works of the early English sporting books, for which the same blocks were used as for the first edition of 1575.  With the only exception that in the cuts on pp. 81 and 112 the bust of Queen Elizabeth on horseback has been cut out. John Millis Jr. to John May to Heppenstall to Lucy Audubon to descendants of John Woodhouse Audubon (Susan Davis) to Audubon Museum.”

Provenance (record of ownership): From the Audubon Museum records, it appears the original owner was John Millis, Jr. The book was then owned in succession by John May, then Heppenstall, and then Lucy Bakewell Audubon (1787-1874). The descendants of John Woodhouse Audubon (1812-1862) retained it for many years. In 1999 Susan Davis donated the book to the Audubon Museum.

Harper’s Brothers, Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, volume 9 (June-November 1854), volume 10 (December 1854-May 1855), volume 11 (June-November 1855)
Found in Collection, JJA.9999.0.10-12 

The first book is a hardbound copy of Volume 9 of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine dated June to November 1854. The book was published by Harper & Brothers, Publishers at Pearl Street, Franklin Square, New York. An inscription, “Mrs. J.J. Audubon,” is written in pencil on the blank page before the title page.

The second book is a hardbound copy of Volume 10 of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine dated December 1854 to May 1855. The book was published by Harper & Brothers, Publishers at Pearl Street, Franklin Square, New York. There is a handwritten list of items that accompanies this book. The list includes two sheets, two pillow cases, three flannels, and more. The inscription, “Mrs. J.J. Audubon,” is written in pencil on the blank page before the title page.

The third book is a hardbound copy of Volume 10 of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine dated June to November 1855. The book was published by Harper & Brothers, Publishers at Pearl Street, Franklin Square, New York. The inscription, “Mrs. J.J. Audubon,” is written in pencil on the blank page before the title page.

Provenance (record of ownership): Owned by Lucy Bakewell Audubon (1787-1874). The books were donated to the Audubon Museum at some point, but no records can be found of their donor or donation date. They were accessioned as Found in Collection items in 2017.

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