The
Double Elephant Folio
The Story of Audubon’s Birds of America
by Waldemar Fries
Often called “the Bible of Audubon
scholars”, The Double Elephant Folio is being re-published after more
than 30 years. This important book details the creation of the Birds of America
from 1826-1839 and provides
information concerning original subscribers and the provenance of all sets known
to exist in 1973.
The 2005 edition includes an additional appendix updating the status and
location of the sets, both complete
and incomplete, currently known to exist. The new appendix was researched and
written by
Susanne M. Low, author of A Guide to Audubon’s Birds of America and an associate
in the Department of Ornithology at the American
Museum of Natural History.
First Edition copies of this book sell for over $500 and
nearly impossible to find!
The special edition with updated status and location of known sets retails for only $84.95
Advanced praise for the new edition of The Double Elephant Folio!
“A lively and fascinating source of information on John James
Audubon’s efforts to produce the finest
work of all time on American birds is now back in print and updated. I found it
invaluable.”
Richard Rhodes
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of John James Audubon, The Making of an American
“One can only be astounded by the amount of sheer hard work that went into this
book. In the days
before the internet and email, and before inexpensive long distance, Waldemar
Fries wrote letters, kept
files, conducted interviews, made notes and traveled the globe for 16 years in
an effort to find and
describe every intact copy of Audubon's magnificent Birds of America. Fries’
efforts resulted in an
invaluable and comprehensive reference on Audubon’s great work.”
Bill Steiner
Author of Audubon Art Prints, A Collector’s Guide to Every Edition
“Waldemar H. Fries was an indefatigable researcher who set the standard for John
James Audubon
scholarship with his Double Elephant Folio. I have found it an indispensable
reference in my research
and am pleased to see that Susanne Low has brought it up to date with a new
appendix. The Double
Elephant Folio is essential to anyone interested in Audubon's masterpiece.”
Ron Tyler
Author of Audubon’s Great National Work, The Royal Octavo Edition of The Birds
of America