Joel Oppenheimer, Inc.

We have newly acquired a very unusual Havell print. It is plate 351 “Great Cinereous Owl” in an uncolored state. Over the years we have encountered and conserved a number of uncolored Havell prints for collectors. This particular print bears the signatures of Maria and Florence Audubon on the verso; they dated their signatures 1920. Maria died in 1925. This clearly identifies this print as having descended directly through the Audubon family. I believe that Maria and Florence, John Woodhouse Audubon’s daughters, were the last family members to carry the Audubon name. This print is a remarkable example. It is untrimmed, showing the full deckled edge of the hand-made Whatman paper. It was never bound and is a very early impression, maybe the first, made from the copper plate. If anyone can lend an insight to further advance our knowledge about this print your input is welcome.