Whatman paper was the only paper Audubon used for his watercolors and the subsequent double elephant etchings.  James Whatman developed a new type of paper, wove.  James died in 1759, leaving the operations to his son James.  James sold the business in 1792 to Thomas Hollingworth, and the Hollingworth family continued making paper until 1976. Napoleon wrote his will on Whatman paper as he sat on the island of St. Helena.  George Washington signed state documents on Whatman paper.  Queen Victoria chose Whatman paper for her personal correspondence.  But the Whatman paper Audubon used measured a huge 29 x 39 inches. Audubon originals will have a very evident countermark with the name 'WHATMAN' stretching about 10 inches across the paper.  Here is a picture of a Whatman countermark...

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Such a paper size was required due to Audubon’s dream of drawing all birds life size.  Considering the American White Pelican (plate 311), the American Flamingo (plate 431) and the beautiful groupings of the Carolina Parrots (plate 26) and the Pileated Woodpeckers (plate 111), one can readily understand the need for something more than what is termed mere ‘elephant’ paper, or 22 x 28 inches, but the larger double elephant paper, about 29 x 39 inches. These larger sheets would match the largest copperplates available in his day, upon which the paper would later be pressed.  But Audubon was not simply interested in size …