- Scope and Contents
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The Victor Gifford Audubon Collection contains correspondence, lithographed plates, and drawings. The collection has been arranged into two series.
Series I, Correspondence (1845-1859), consists of letters from Victor Gifford Audubon to Daniel Rice, a book subscription agent and co-publisher of History of the Indian Tribes of North America by Thomas L. M'Kenney and James Hall, which is referred to in several letters. The letters concern the business relationship between Rice and Audubon regarding the printing, binding, distribution and sale of the octavo-format editions of The Birds of America and The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America by John James Audubon. Issues discussed include the ongoing business agreement between Audubon and Rice, sales trips taken by Rice, Audubon's efforts to convince Rice to buy a share of the volumes being produced, the supply of letterpress text, and difficulties in collecting payments from subscribers. Included is a signed agreement (Box 1, folder 1) between Audubon and Rice regarding Rice's seeking subscribers for the two books, and his commission for their sale. Also included are letters from Audubon to an H. J. Hall, A. M. Hart (Rice's partner), and one letter from Harper Brothers to Rice regarding a claim against a Mr. Mygatt, who is mentioned in several of Audubon's letters to Rice.
Series II, Illustrations (n.d.), contains lithographed plates used in the octavo version of The Birds of America, some hand-colored, and a group of pencil and pencil and watercolor sketches by an unidentified artist. - Conditions Governing Access
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The materials are open for research.
- Conditions Governing Use
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The Victor Gifford Audubon Collection is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
- Immediate Source of Acquisition
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Purchased in 1993 from the William Reese Company on the Edwin J. Beinecke Book Fund.
- Dates
- 1845-1859
- Extent
- 0.4 Linear Feet (1 box)
- Related Names
- Audubon, Victor Gifford, 1809-1860
- Language of Materials
- English