Description

American Bittern Restrike (Sepia Ink)
Dimensions: 38.5″ (h) x 29.5″ (w)

In honor of the Audubon Museum’s 75th anniversary in 2013, the Friends of Audubon issued limited edition restrike prints from the museum’s original copper plate of the American Bittern by John James Audubon. Robert Havell, Jr., engraved this plate – Plate #337 – for Audubon’s Birds of America Double Elephant Folio. It shows two birds standing on a muddy bank against a background of marsh grass. According to Audubon, the engraving for this plate was based on a painting done by his son, John Woodhouse Audubon. In 2007, the Friends of Audubon acquired this rare plate for the Audubon Museum. .

This is your opportunity to own a beautiful work of art and a unique piece of Audubon history. Only one hundred restrike prints were produced from the plate, 75 in black and 25 in sepia. The size is 38.5″ tall and 29.5″ wide — just like the double elephant folio paper used by Robert Havell, Jr. Each restrike is authenticated by the presence of Audubon’s seal in the lower left corner. The printing was done on archival paper completely by hand by Professor Michael Aakhus of the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana.

These restrikes are being offered by the Friends of Audubon for a minimum donation of $1,000 with the proceeds designated for the conservation of the museum collection and new acquisitions. A charitable donation certificate in the amount of $500 will be issued for each restrike purchased. Any additional donation for the print in excess of the $1,000 will also be recognized as a charitable contribution to this worthy cause.

You may reserve your limited edition American Bittern restrike by contacting museum curator, Heidi Taylor-Caudill, at (270) 826-2247 ext. 233 or heidi.taylorcaudill@ky.gov. Please contact her to schedule pick-up or shipping arrangements.