The World's Only Direct-camera Audubon Quadruped Re-creations.

Common Deer (Fawn), Plate # 81, limited edition of 750, 22" x 28", Southart/Parkway Series, $350

Toward the end of his life, Audubon endeavored to depict all the known species of North American mammals.  These were published in three sets by J. Bowen between 1845 and 1848.  Known in the trade as the Imperials, his detailed images measured 22 x 28 inches.  We have produced same size facsimiles of these engravings, using the fine originals from the Princeton University collection.  These reproductions, as with our Birds of America reproductions, are direct-camera prints.  They represent the first successful attempt to reproduce directly from the actual antique originals, instead of reproducing a mere photograph of an original.  The 100% rag, acid-free Somerset archival paper is imported from England, and has the tone and texture of the originals.

COMMON DEER (FAWN) – PLATE LXXXI

Odocoileus virginianus virginianus

When born, the white-tailed deer weighs about as much as an average human infant. It has no scent, and as many as 300 spots. This allows it to easily hide in the dappled light of the forest undetected by potential predators. By the time the spots fade and it grows its adult coat of fur in the autumn, it can be as tall as its mother!

            Like many species of birds, a mother deer will lead a predator astray from the hiding place of her young. Her milk contains three times the protein and fat of cow’s milk. And she has been known to stand over her fawn during a violent storm to protect a new born from freezing rain.

            Audubon wrote, “The doe conceals her young in a thick covert of grass, visiting them occasionally during the day, evening or night. The young fawn, when only a few days old, are often found in so sound asleep that we have seen them taken up in the arms before they became conscious that they were captives. They are easily domesticated and attach themselves to their keepers. A friend possesses a young deer that was placed with a she-goat, which reared it, and the parties still live in habits of mutual attachment.”