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The Double Elephant Folio; The Story of Audubon's Birds of America, written by Waldemar H. Fries, is a 501 page, 7 1/2 X 10 1/4 inch hardcover book published by the American Library Association, Chicago. The copyright date is 1973 and this is a first edition: no additional dates or printings are noted. The author has signed the book twice, once on the title page (full signature only, no inscription), and once on the half-title page. The half-title page signature ("W. Fries") accompanies this inscription: "What a lovely, dear friend we both have!" and is dated 26 May 1977. A second inscription (not the author's) reads "To dear Jim with my love always."

Synopsis - The author provides a detailed and comprehensive history of the creation of John James Audubon's Birds of America, a complete accounting of the original subscribers, sets and costs, and a census and survey of extant complete sets. Appendices address variants, chronology of plate engraving, discontinued subscribers, Woodward's list, and more. Illustrated with a color frontispiece and black and white photos, drawings, and document reproductions.

Condition Details - The book is in very good condition; it has a square spine, a tight binding, and no marks, tears, writing, wrinkled or dog-eared pages. The cloth boards with green faux leather spine have light edgewear with gently bumped top corners (no fraying), and toning, but no stains. The textblock edges are very lightly toned and have very light fingersoil, no foxing or significant marks. (See foredge scan.) No dustjacket, as issued.

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