The Bien Edition: The Project, Quality, Errors and Market Value

by Ron Flynn  

In 1858 John James Audubon’s youngest son, John Woodhouse Audubon, undertook a new and ambitious business venture. The project was to be the first American full sized reissue of his father’s original (1826-38) Birds of America. The publication was to cost about half the price of the original Birds of America, and was also sold by subscription. The publication was to be issued in 44 separate parts. Each part would consist of seven sheets or pages, containing 10 images. Four of the sheets in each part contained one large or medium sized image, and three sheets in each part contained two smaller images.

With the advances in color printing, at the time, it was decided that the plates would be produced using the very latest techniques in chromolithography. The firm of Roe Lockwood and Son of New York was hired as publisher. Julius Bien of New York, a pioneer in chromolithography, was contracted as the lithographer. The name Bien Edition, of course, is a credit to Julius Bien. J.W. Audubon’s mother, Lucy Bakewell Audubon, co-signed some of the business agreements. J.W.’s older brother, Victor Gifford Audubon, was unable to offer much assistance to the project, as he was an invalid at the time and died in 1860. The undertaking had problems from the beginning. The Audubons were still trying to collect monies owed them from the octavo editions, payment receipts from new subscribers to the Bien Edition were slow in coming, and unscrupulous dealings of certain business partners resulted in the tenuous financial condition of the project. Finally, the Audubons were cutoff from their Southern subscribers at the onset of the Civil War, and this ended production of the Bien Edition. This huge financial catastrophe brought near financial ruin to the Audubon family, and certainly contributed to the death of J.W. Audubon in 1862. In 1863, Lucy Audubon had to sell family assets, including JJA’s original paintings for Birds of America, to keep the family solvent.  

When production was stopped on the Bien Edition, only 15 parts had been issued. The 15 parts produced 105 sheets or pages, with a total of 150 images (under the format described above). The Bien Edition consists of only one bound volume. It is not known exactly how many sets of the original 15 parts were printed. The consensus seems to be that between 75-100 sets were printed, and either bound into single volumes or left unbound. Early researchers put the number of surviving bound volumes at 15-23. However, in 1976 Waldemar Fries had located and catalogued 49 original bound volumes of the Bien Edition. While individual plates and original bound volumes of the Bien Edition are rarer, in terms of numbers, than the Havell Edition of Birds of America, they do not bring near the prices that the Havells do.

A HYBRID EDITION –

The 1971-72 Audubon Amsterdam Edition, in which an original Havell Edition of Birds of America was actually photographed and precisely reproduced using color photo-lithography, is the first true full size facsimile reproduction of the Havell Edition of Birds of America. The Bien Edition, however, is not a true replica of the Havell Edition, and could be called a HYBRID EDITION of both the Havell and Royal Octavo Editions of Birds of America. There are a number of differences between the Bien and Havell Editions.

The major noticeable difference, from the Havell Edition, is the page layout system for the Bien Edition. Of the 105 total pages completed and issued in the Bien Edition, 60 of those pages contain a single species of large or medium sized bird. The remaining 45 issued pages have 2 images per sheet or page (these pages will be illustrated and discussed below). The part numbers of the Bien Edition are unique and reflect the issuance of 15 parts, with 7 sheets per part, and 10 images per part. The bird images and nomenclature on each Bien sheet came from the Havell Edition prints, while the plate #s used in the Bien Edition follow, and are from, the Royal Octavo Editions. However, some birds’ names were changed between the Havell and Royal Octavo Editions. Therefore, the bird’s name and plate #, on a few Bien prints, will not exactly match the Royal Octavo Editions plate # list or image. Other errors in part # and plate # labeling occurred in the printing of the Bien Edition, and will be noted in the Index Table below. Probably the most confusing error in the Bien Edition is Plate #88, the Children’s Warbler (named not for little boys and girls, but for Audubon’s friend John George Children). The image, and bird’s name and nomenclature, are from Havell plate #35. However, J.J. Audubon later realized that his Havell Children’s Warblers were actually the female and young of the Yellow Poll Wood Warbler. If you then refer to the Royal Octavo Edition plate #88, you will find it labeled Yellow Poll Wood Warbler, and the image does not match the image in Bien plate #88. In fact, the image is unique to the Royal Octavo Editions, and is not found in the Havell Edition. The vast majority of images and plate #s in the Bien Edition will generally match the images (with many minor changes) and plate #s in the Royal Octavo Editions.

Julius Bien transferred the images from the actual copper plates, used in the Havell Edition, to lithographic stones for the Bien Edition. However, changes were made to a number of the lithographic stones prior to printing. A number of Bien plates were printed with a colored background tint, similar to that on 2nd and later editions of the Royal Octavo birds. Many Bien plates had backgrounds added or changed in various ways from that of the original Havell Edition. Most of these background changes were minor in nature, but some were striking and changed the overall appearance of the print.  Several of the small single bird figures in the Havell Edition were grouped in the Bien Edition.

FULL SHEETS AND HALF PAGES –

The Bien Edition was printed on sheets of unwatermarked paper measuring about 26-1/2” x 39” (slightly smaller when bound into a volume). Up to six different stones, each for a different color, were used for the printing of each sheet. After printing, some sheets were finished, or touched up, with a little hand coloring using watercolor paints. Each sheet was dated either 1858 or 1859 or 1860.  A part number was printed in the upper left above each image, and a plate number was printed in the upper right above each image. The bird’s name and nomenclature was generally printed centrally below each image. There is a single Audubon credit on each sheet, whether it is a single or two-image sheet. The Audubon credit is at the lower left corner of each sheet, and reads “Drawn from nature by J.J. Audubon F.R.S.F.L.S.” There is a single Bien credit on each sheet, whether it is a single or two-image sheet. The Bien credit is at the lower right corner of each sheet and reads “Chromolith by J. Bien, New York (followed by the year).”

45 of the 105 sheets of the Bien edition have 2 images per page.  Some sheets have 2 horizontal images, and some have 2 vertical images, and sheet #26 has one of each (see the Index Table below). On the illustrations below, I have superimposed where the part #, plate #, Audubon Credit, and Bien Credit are located on each sheet. Unbound sheets, with 2 images, were often cut in half to use smaller frames, or to frame just one favorite image.  

Figure A  shows Bien Edition sheet 6. On the left is Part 1-8, Plate #88, Children’s Warbler. On the right is Part 1-7, Plate #74, Kentucky Warbler. Notice at the top of the sheet, there is a part # and plate # for each image. At the bottom of the sheet, each image has its own nomenclature, and the Audubon credit is on the left, and the Bien credit on the right. If this sheet were cut in half, each image would still have its part # and plate #, plus nomenclature, but only one of the credits for either Audubon or Bien.

Fig. B shows Bien Edition sheet 34. On the top is part 5-7, Plate #308, Least Water Hen. On the bottom is part 5-8, Plate #308 (error, should be plate #307), Yellow Breasted Rail. As in Fig. A, each image has its own nomenclature, part # and plate #. The Audubon and Bien credits are at the bottom of the sheet. If this sheet were cut in half, the top image would only have nomenclature plus Part # and Plate #. The top half would have no credit or authentication for either Audubon or Bien. However, the bottom half would appear like a small complete Audubon print, with all identifying information and credits.

In terms of market value, a full sheet should never be cut in half. The value of the two half sheets would not equal the value of a full sheet. If Fig. A were cut into half sheets, the value of each half would be about the same, all else being equal. However, if Fig. B were cut into two half sheets, the value of the top half sheet (without Audubon or Bien credits) would be significantly less than the value of the bottom half sheet.

Photos by Tom Eckert, courtesy of the Stark Museum of Art, Orange, Texas

FACTORS AFFECTING MARKET VALUE  –

In this Edition, Julius Bien produced some of the finest examples of large-scale chromolithographic art of the mid 19th century. Still, the science and technology of chromolithography were certainly not completely refined at the time of the printing of the Bien Edition. For this reason, the quality and appearance of the finished prints varied, and that affects the market value of individual prints today. While the numerous errors in the printing of part and plate numbers could easily have been caught and corrected by J.W. Audubon, from proofs supplied by Bien, they do not affect market value. However, the printing errors, plus other factors, allow one to conclude that there was a general lack of quality and quality control for the entire project. Despite the hiring of the renowned Mr. Bien, I don’t believe that the finished prints that were issued would have received J.J. Audubon’s wholehearted approval.  If any fault has to be found with the Bien Edition, as we find it today, it would rest with a perhaps overburdened and under financed John Woodhouse Audubon. The factors that affect the market value of the Bien prints today are: supply and demand, print condition, quality and uniformity of coloring, and the paper used for the prints.

Supply and Demand, and Print Condition -

Supply and demand determines the general market value of prints of specific bird species. As with all original Audubon Editions, the most popular and sought after prints will have a higher market value. The overall condition of the print is the single most important factor in determining market value of a single print. It is quite common to find Bien Edition prints with small marginal chips and tears or some foxing, but because of the rarity of Bien Edition prints, these flaws will still have an impact on market value. However, prints with numerous or more serious flaws and damage will have a much lower market value.  If you go to my Internet website at  www.audubonprices.com , and click on the banner near the bottom, you can read more about print condition, and flaws and damage, in some of my published Audubon related articles.

Print Coloring –

Pre Civil War chromolithographic prints were basically still experimental. Two processes, which greatly affected quality, had not been completely perfected.  Up to six different stones, each with different colored ink, were used to print one Bien sheet. The colored inks were successively printed (layered) over each other to produce the correct final colors for each print. Highly skilled chromists, or perhaps Bien himself, had to hand mix the various ink colors just right, so that when printed one upon another, the final result was perfect. It appears that the chromists experimented or varied ink colors as they went along, and though prints of the same sheet had color variances, they were all approved and issued. Therefore, you will find some Bien prints with wonderful accurate spectacular coloring, while some of the colors in other like prints might be loud and almost gaudy. You will find some colors in prints to be dull or thin, and not appear natural or life like. Finally, some colors, especially in the blues and greens, will not be correct and will not look right compared to a hand colored Havell or Octavo.

The other area of chromolithography that was not completely perfected was that of color registration. Bien’s people were pulling the same sheet from as many as six different stones, each with a different color, to produce the final print. All it took was the slightest movement or shift of one of the stones, or the slightest misalignment of the paper on one of the stones, and the result was that one color in the print did not register (line up exactly) with the other colors. The result was that the “lines” separating the colors would appear fuzzy or blurry, and were not sharp.

In the fall of 2003, I had the opportunity on several occasions to examine an original bound volume of the Bien Edition at a local college library. During the same period, I discussed the Bien Edition in detail with 5 owners of this Edition (3 institutional and 2 private). We all agreed that the color registration, and quality of the coloring of the chromolithographic prints, within given volumes, varied noticeably. However, the differences in coloring quality and registration were not uniformly unique to specific prints in the sets. Rather, it is more likely that the coloring of specific prints varied among different volumes.

Prints with bright fresh natural coloring, that has not faded, will have the highest market value. Some minor misalignment of color registration should be considered normal, and not affect market value. Prints with coloring that is faded or off (unnatural, gaudy, dull, or wrong) will have a reduced market value. However, print coloring must be considered along with overall print condition, and condition of the paper, in determining market value.

The Bien Edition Paper –

A number of writers have commented negatively about the quality of the paper used in the Bien Edition. J.W. Audubon or Roe Lockwood, as publisher, could have imported and used J. Whatman paper. An American made 100% cotton rag paper, such as used for the 1st Royal Octavo Edition (1840-44), could have been used for the project. However, a less expensive unwatermarked paper containing wood pulp was chosen. While the ramifications of using a paper containing wood pulp was not known at the time, the effect of using this paper has a profound impact on market value of individual Bien prints today.

I persuaded a fellow Audubon collector, who has a number of Bien half sheets, to make a sacrifice for science. One of his half sheets had a ¼” chip along one margin. I persuaded him to trim the print to eliminate the ¼” chip, which would not sacrifice the integrity of a full size half sheet. The resulting ¼” wide strip of paper, from an original Bien print, was sent to a local retired forensic chemist. The chemist performed two inexpensive tests. The Ph of the sample was tested and found to be 5.4. A Ph reading of 5.4, for paper, indicates that it is quite acidic. Using a reagent, the paper sample was tested for lignin. The test was positive, proving that the Bien Edition paper contained wood pulp, though the percentage of wood pulp in the paper was undetermined. Lignin is a complex polymer found in wood pulp, but not in 100% cotton rag. As the lignin breaks down over time: substances leech out which turn the paper more acidic, darken the color of the paper, and weaken the fibers of the paper. Because of the wood pulp in Bien Edition prints: the paper will tear and chip more easily, become fragile and brittle, and eventually deteriorate and crumble without restorative measures. A competent paper conservator can easily save these prints by washing and then deacidifying them, using an aqueous solution of calcium carbonate or the like.

In the Bien volume I examined, I found that the quality of the paper sheets varied somewhat. Most sheets were uniform, but did not have the feel or thickness of a Havell or Amsterdam print. Some sheets were heavier and denser, while other sheets were noticeably thinner than the majority. I believe that Bien prints that have remained bound in a volume, or are recently dis-bound, are in generally better condition than single prints that have been in circulation for some time. Very few Bien prints, with paper in very good condition are available today, and those would have a higher market value today. Some prints on the market may have already been restored. When purchasing a Bien Edition print, consider the condition of the paper, and the prospect of having to pay a conservator to restore the sheet before it deteriorates.

Bien Edition Index Table  (in order by Plate #)

Sheet # - numbers from 1-105 are used as a reference, and are not found on the Bien prints.

Part # - is printed at upper left of each image on a print.

Plate # - is printed at upper right of each image on a print. The plate # is referenced to the octavo editions, but there are numerous errors of printing incorrect plate #s on the Bien prints.

Name – Name of bird as printed. Alternate octavo edition names are found under notations.

Notations –
     Sheet-vert. pair- the sheet has 2 vertically oriented images printed side by side.
     Sheet-horz. pair- the sheet has 2 horizontally oriented images printed top and bottom.
     Error plate #xxx- is the correct octavo referenced plate # which should have been printed.
     Error part #x-x- is the correct part # that should have been printed on the sheet.
     Error octavo different - either the name, image or both will differ in the octavo editions.

Sheet 96, part 14-6, has 3 different birds in one image.

Sheet 49, corrected part #7-10, has 2 different birds in one image.  

     Copyright © 2008 by Ron Flynn, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Ron Flynn, 796 Holly Creek Dr., Holland, MI  49423