This original aquatint is Plate 189 from the double-elephant folio Havell edition of Audubon’s great work on American ornithology, which is the most important ornithological work produced in America. The complete work was produced in less than 200 copies. Audubon traveled throughout the U.S. and recorded 435 life-size images of every native bird in the country, depicting them in natural poses in their native habitats. This engraving depicts an adult Snow Bunting flying over mountainous terrain, with another adult and a young Snow Bunting below. The original painting was likely made in Boston circa 1832-33. Engraved, printed and hand colored by Robert Havell. The papermaker's watermark "J. Whatman 1834" is along the left side of the sheet at top. The full sheet measures 24-7/8 x 38-1/8".

References: Low, p. 118.

Condition: A

A clean, bright example with full, original color on watermarked paper. There are professional repairs confined to the far blank margins, including two small holes in the bottom blank margin and several chips and tears along the edges of the sheet.