Tufted Auk (Mormon Cirrhatus), Plate 249
Print on paper, likely a modern high-quality facsimile • John James Audubon (after); published by Theatrum Orbis Terrarum & Johnson Reprint Corp.
Style & Movement
Natural History Illustration / Romantic Realism
Medium & Technique
Color lithography or high-resolution offset printing after an original hand-colored engraving/aquatint
Creation Period
Late 20th century (c. 1970s-1980s) based on the "Amsterdam Edition" reference
Dimensions & Format
Landscape format; image approx. 26 x 38 inches (Double Elephant Folio scale) with oversized matting/frame
Subject Description
A male and female Tufted Auk perched on rocky coastal terrain. The male is depicted in profile with its characteristic crest and colorful beak, while the female is shown behind a rock. This is a scientific illustration intended to catalog avian species of North America.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; appears well-preserved under glass with contemporary framing
Estimated Market Value
$500 - $1,200 (reflecting the value of a high-quality Amsterdam facsimile rather than a Havell original)
Auction Estimate
$400 - $800
Provenance History
Likely purchased as part of the 1971-1972 Amsterdam Edition facsimile set; subsequently framed for private collection
Art Historical Significance
Representing Audubon's 'The Birds of America,' the Amsterdam Edition is considered the most faithful full-scale reproduction of the original 19th-century Havell plates, produced using Dutch 'Old Master' printing standards.
Notable Features
Includes Plate CCLXIX (249) and No. 50 markings; associated with the Amsterdam Series which utilized high-quality watermarked paper mimicking the original 1820s folios
Condition Issues
Possible light-induced fading if not protected by UV glass; minor undulation of the paper visible near the mat edge; frame shows minor wear
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the use of UV-filtering museum glass and acid-free archival matting; keep out of direct sunlight to prevent ink degradation
Collector Notes
Amsterdam series