First Edition Royal Octavo Edition Prints of "The Birds Of America" by John James Audubon, published by J.J. Audubon, New York and J.B. Chevalier, Philadelphia. 

The Hand-Colored Stone Lithographs of this first royal octavo edition were lithographed by the Philadelphia firm of J.T. Bowen between 1840-1844. The outlines were hand printed from a lithographic stone and each print was hand colored.

These prints bear the same legend as the larger Havell Edition, except that J.T. Bowen is shown as the Lithographer in the lower right corner of each print. Each print also bears the Plate Number in the upper right corner, as well as the subscription number in the upper left corner. It is the only octavo edition in which the prints were prepared under the direct supervision of John James Audubon.