Audubon's £7.5M 'Birds of America' on Rare Display in Glasgow
Right now, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow is showcasing two first-edition copies of John James Audubon's 'Birds of America,' which they've had since 1838. They bought these volumes for just £48, the yearly wage for a skilled worker back then. It's pretty rare, with only 120 complete editions known, and one copy in Liverpool is worth an astonishing £7.5 million. The book features life-size, hand-colored prints of over 200 North American bird species, and each page is so large—3ft by 2ft—that it takes two people to turn them. The exhibit started two years ago when Claire McDade discovered the books in the library. Audubon, originally from Haiti, later moved to Pennsylvania and promoted his work in Edinburgh in 1826. The exhibit is free and located on St Vincent Street, but it's best to reach out in advance if you want to visit.
Key facts
- Two volumes of 'Birds of America' by John James Audubon are on display at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.
- The college purchased the first-edition volumes in 1838 for £48.
- Only 120 complete volumes are known to exist; a copy in Liverpool is insured for £7.5 million.
- Each page contains a life-size, hand-coloured etching of a bird species.
- Pages measure 3ft by 2ft and require two people to turn.
- Only one plate can be displayed at a time due to the book's size.
- Claire McDade, heritage lead at RCPSG, initiated the exhibition after discovering the volumes.
- Audubon lectured on bird dissection in Edinburgh, attended by Charles Darwin.
- William Home Lizars was Audubon's first UK publisher in Edinburgh.
- The exhibition is free and located at the college's library on St Vincent Street.
Entities
Artists
- John James Audubon
- Charles Darwin
- William Home Lizars
- Mackenzie Crook
Institutions
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- BBC
Locations
- Glasgow
- Scotland
- United Kingdom
- Edinburgh
- Liverpool
- North America
- Haiti
- France
- Pennsylvania
- St Vincent Street