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AUDUBON, John James (1785-1851). Autograph letter signed ('John J Audubon') to Mrs. Robinson ('My dear Madam'), 4 Wimpole Street, 16 March 1838, regarding the Leeds Philosophical Society's decision to cease subscribing to his Birds of America, informing them that there are six numbers of the work still to come which 'consist of some of the rarest, and most interesting birds of America . . . and render the work the most perfect, that has ever been published on the ornithology of any country!', trusting that the Society 'will at once order the remaining numbers' and threatening not to supply them unless they are ordered immediately 'as I have no intention of printing or preparing any numbers for any one who having discontinued may have a part of the work, at the time of its completion, as this would cost me both time & money I can not spare', 3¼ pages, 4to, address panel, seal (seal tear repaired).
A strongly-worded letter from the author of the most luxurious ornithological work ever produced. The Birds of America was published in 87 parts between 1827 and 1838, so by the time this letter was written, the work was almost complete. According to the printed list, only 165 complete sets of the original edition were sold, 83 of them in England, Scotland and France, and Audubon spent much of his time obtaining subscribers to pay for the undertaking. Mrs. Robinson, a Leeds bookseller, apparently acted as agent for several Leeds subscribers: Audubon writes as an afterthought that 'Mrs Robinson will please shew this to the Philos. Soc.y., or any of the Subscrs. who want the information contained in it, as soon as convenient'. Because of the limited number of copies produced, Audubon needs to know as soon as possible if any of the subscribers wish to cancel, 'that I may direct my workmen accordingly'. He at first seems severely offended that any subscribers might not wish to continue the work at this stage, but then more humorously adds 'But I hope none will wish to stop at the sight of Port as it were', and in a postscript, 'No. 82 goes to you with this, and then there will only be five Numbers more!'. He hopes to see Mrs. Robinson on his way to or from Edinburgh, when he goes there 'for the Publication of the last volume of letter press'.
A strongly-worded letter from the author of the most luxurious ornithological work ever produced. The Birds of America was published in 87 parts between 1827 and 1838, so by the time this letter was written, the work was almost complete. According to the printed list, only 165 complete sets of the original edition were sold, 83 of them in England, Scotland and France, and Audubon spent much of his time obtaining subscribers to pay for the undertaking. Mrs. Robinson, a Leeds bookseller, apparently acted as agent for several Leeds subscribers: Audubon writes as an afterthought that 'Mrs Robinson will please shew this to the Philos. Soc.y., or any of the Subscrs. who want the information contained in it, as soon as convenient'. Because of the limited number of copies produced, Audubon needs to know as soon as possible if any of the subscribers wish to cancel, 'that I may direct my workmen accordingly'. He at first seems severely offended that any subscribers might not wish to continue the work at this stage, but then more humorously adds 'But I hope none will wish to stop at the sight of Port as it were', and in a postscript, 'No. 82 goes to you with this, and then there will only be five Numbers more!'. He hopes to see Mrs. Robinson on his way to or from Edinburgh, when he goes there 'for the Publication of the last volume of letter press'.