I bought these six educational leaflets from the National Association of Audubon Societies at an estate sale about 20 years ago. I’d just moved into Kent, Ohio, and my house backed up on the green space. I was amazed by the amount of wildlife that wandered into the backyard, eating my vegetables and fruit. It seems I was providing a virtual smorgasbord for the animals. But what amazed me the most was the number of birds that made my backyard their home. It was just a joy, although I must admit that I was not very knowledgeable about the various birds hanging out in my backyard. That’s why, when I went to an estate sale of a well known Ohio nature enthusiast/Audubon collector, I scooped up these six educational leaflets. You see, not only did these leaflets, produced by the National Association of Audubon Societies, provide useful information but each had a print (suitable for framing) and a line art drawing. My plan was pretty simple– I would read the leaflets (thereby impressing my friends and family with my knowledge!), frame the prints and the line art drawings and hang them in my new sunroom. I’ve read them all but never got around to framing the art.
Now as I prepare to downsize, I’d like to pass these wonderfu,l rare leaflets with the prints and line art onto someone else who will enjoy these vintage, rare pieces. I believe these are from the 1920s, although the leaflets are not dated. Many are written and/or photographed and/or illustrated by some of the best known ornithologists in America. The leaflets, art prints and line drawings measure about 5-1/2 in by 8-1/4.
This is what you will be getting:
Educational Leaflet No. 21: The Scarlet Tanger by William Dutcher (one of the great conservationist/ornithologists of the early 20th century). Photo by B.S. Bowdish, one of Audubon’s most active field men of the period. The print of the Scarlet Tanger is by Robert Bruce Horsfall, the famous wildlife illustrator. The leaflet – as well as the separately printed 4-color art –is printed on high quality glossy stock. The line drawing is printed on a coarser grade paper. Part of the last page of leaflet has part of the page missing and the front page has 2 small tears. The art, however, is pristine.Horsfall’s signature is clear and dated 1915
Educational Leaflet No. 41: The Mockingbird by T. Gilbert Pearson, an American conservationist, one of the first faculty members of the University of North Carolina –Greensboro and the founder of the National Association of Audubon Societies.There are no photos in this leaflet. The leaflet and inserted material are in perfect condition. Horsfall also did the 4-color print of the mockingbird.
Educational Leaflet No. 50: The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird by Mabel Osgood Wright, one of the leaders of the Audubon movement in America. The photo is not credited. The print has an artist signature but I cannot read it. And that’s too bad because the print shows two hummingbirds in motion and the artist really does need to be acknowledged for the art. There is a wee little tear in the margin of the art print but nothing that would take away from the piece. Leaflet has a three inch tear on the gutter,
Educational Leaflet, No. 63: Ruffed Grouse by George Bird Grinnell, the American anthropologist and naturalist. Horsfall’s art print of the Grouse is absolutely incredible. There is so much detail in the bird and the nature scene. There’s a small tear in the margin of the last page of the leaflet,
Educational Leaflet No. 99: The Red-Eyed Vireo by T. Gilbert Pearson. The photo is by Dr. Frank M. Chapman, the curator of birds at the American Museum of Natural History. The art print is not signed. The leaflet, art print and line drawing have a crease, but that should not distract from the framed print.
Educational leaflet, No. 117: The Starling by Edward Howe Forbush, the Massachusetts ornithologist, best known for Birds of New England.I cannot decipher the artist who produced art print but the illustration is extraordinary.
This is a lovely lot of leaflets, each with its original art print and line drawing. It would make an ideal gift – or six gifts for the bird lovers in your life. And what makes it even better, a portion of the proceeds of this sale goes to the National Audubon Society.