Top Audubon Octavo Quad Prints

by Ron Flynn

Immediately after the Audubons issued their first publication of animal images, the Imperial Folio Edition of The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America (1845-48), they began work on a smaller more affordable edition, The Quadrupeds of North America. which is commonly referred to as the “octavo quads.” The octavo quads were issued in four editions, each containing 155 different animal images. The four editions were published as follows –

1^st edition – 1849-1854

2^nd edition – 1851-1855

3^rd edition – 1856

4^th edition – 1870-1871

As you look at the dates of the editions above, you will note that the 1^st and 2^nd editions overlapped each other. All the editions were commonly bound into three book volumes. The copyright date in each book volume, of each edition, is not a true indicator of which edition the book is from. An 1849 date on the title page of a Volume I book might be a true indicator that a particular volume is truly 1^st edition. Beginning in 1851, both 1^st and 2^nd edition prints were being sold and issued simultaneously for Volume I and II, and later for Volume III. This did not cause any problems back in the 19^th century, because subscribers received whatever was sent out to them, and they eventually had them bound into 3 book volumes. Today we are finding that the vast majority of octavo quad book volume sets are actually mixed 1^st and 2^nd editions. This causes the first of two major problems for collectors of Audubon octavo quad prints.

Most people who collect rare or old books prefer, or would like, to own a 1^st edition. This is the case with Audubon collectors. The 1^st edition prints are the ones most widely collected and sought after. Dealers charge a hefty premium for individual 1^st edition octavo quad prints, over 2^nd and later edition prints. Yet, how can the collector be certain that he is actually getting a true 1^st edition print, when most 3 volume book sets are mixed 1^st and 2^nd editions? The only answer for now is that you must implicitly trust your dealer.

The 2^nd major problem for collectors of Audubon octavo quad prints is that ALL individual prints of a particular animal are virtually identical, and edition cannot be determined once a print is removed from its original book volume. Unlike the Audubon 1^st edition octavo bird prints with NO printed colored background, ALL octavo quad prints have a printed colored background unique to each specific print in ALL editions. There are some minor variations in the images of some prints, but this is undoubtedly a purposeful change, or change as a result of replacing a cracked or worn stone. However, these minor image variations cannot be identified as to a particular edition. There are numerous variations in the printed credits on octavo quad prints, but they are not specific to any edition either, EXCEPT ONE.

It is well documented that the Audubons first hired the New York firm of Nagel & Weingaertner to lithograph and color the octavo quad prints. N&W were at some point replaced by J.T. Bowen, who lithographed and colored all 155 plates for all editions. We do know that N&W produced an unknown number of plates #1-#26 and #29-#31. Any octavo quad print with a N&W credit would certainly be a 1^st edition, and would be worth a premium as a 1^st edition print.

Because of the above two problems or uncertainties with 1^st edition octavo quad prints, I have always advised people to buy the best and highest quality octavo quad print that they can afford, and do not concern yourself with editions.

The 155 different octavo quad prints are very collectible and generally quite affordable. A good number of the 155 prints are of mice, rats, moles and shrews, which are not the most popular of four legged animals. About 130 of the 155 different prints would be considered “lower tier” prints (for a brief discussion and explanation of  “tiers”, see my article, Top Audubon 1^st Edition Octavo Bird Prints, on this website), and would generally retail for around $250.00 or less. Nearly 100 of those 130 lower tier octavo quad prints can be purchased in the $50-$100 price range. Only a small number of octavo quad prints would be considered upper tier. These would be the most popular prints that are in high demand, and have the highest retail prices. Below, I have listed and ranked the top 25 Audubon octavo quad prints. Only the first thirteen (13) would have retail prices of around $500.00 or higher. The remaining twelve (12) ranked prints would have retail prices in the range of about $250.00 or more.