Audubon the Naturalist: A History of His Life and Time. Vol. 1 (of 2)Herrick, Francis Hobart
History
Audubon the Naturalist: A History of His Life and Time. Vol. 1 (of 2)
Herrick, Francis Hobart
Audubon, John James, 1785-1851
Under the younger Havell's guiding hand, Audubon found that his
illustrations could be produced in better style, more expeditiously,
and at far less cost than in Edinburgh. When Lizars was later shown the
third number which the Havells had produced, he called his assistants
and observed how completely the London workmen had beaten them; he
even offered to resume work on the engraving and at Havell's price, but
Audubon was averse to further experimenting. "If he can fall," said he,
"twenty-seven pounds in the engraving of each number, and do them in a
superior style to his previous work, how enormous must his profits have
been; a good lesson to me in the time to come, though I must remember
Havell is more reasonable owing to what has passed between us in our
business arrangements, and the fact that he owes so much to me."
This characteristic note was sent from Liverpool, December 6, 1827, to
his agent, Daniel Lizars, father to W. H. Lizars, at Edinburgh:
I will not ask if you have any new name for me, as I _might_
be disappointed were I to expect an affirmative answer.
If you see Sir Wm. Jardine tell him that Charles Bonaparte has
left the U. S. for ever, and has gone to reside in Florence,
Italy.
I have wrote to Mr. Havell to send you a No. 5, which I wish
you to send to Professor Wilson, or indeed a whole set, to
enable him to write the notice he has promised for me the 1st.
of next month.
[Illustration: REVERSE OF PANELS OF ROBERT HAVELL'S ADVERTISING
FOLDER REPRODUCED ON FACING INSERT.]
[Illustration: OUTSIDE ENGRAVED PANELS OF AN ADVERTISING
FOLDER ISSUED BY ROBERT HAVELL, ABOUT 1834; THE PRINTING ON
THE REVERSE IS REPRODUCED ON THE FACING PAGE.
From the only copy known to exist, in possession of Mr.
Ruthven Deane. It is a strip of heavy paper, 18 by 3⅝ inches
in size, printed on both sides, and folded twice, the folded
size being 4½ by 3⅝ inches. One side bears the four panels,
engraved by Robert Havell, reproduced on this and the
following page; and the reverse, the printed matter reproduced
on pages 386 and 387.]
[Illustration: INSIDE ENGRAVED PANELS OF THE ADVERTISING
FOLDER ISSUED BY ROBERT HAVELL, ABOUT 1834.
The lower panel shows the interior of the "Zoölogical
Gallery," 77 Oxford Street. Audubon's plate of the Cock Turkey
is being examined at one of the tables.]
[Illustration:REVERSE OF PANELS OF ROBERT HAVELL'S ADVERTISING
FOLDER REPRODUCED ON FACING INSERT.]
Audubon sent another letter to this agent, from London, January 21,
1828, when he was still waiting for an answer to his last: "When I write
to any one I expect an answer, but when I write to a man I esteem, and
to whom I entrust a portion of my business, I feel miserable until I
hear from him.... I am extremely anxious to close my business for 1827,
and cannot do so without receiving your a/c, and the money due by my
subscribers."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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