New-York Historical Society purchase of John J. Audubon "Birds of America" watercolors, 1861-1863

The collection consists of correspondence, reports, subscription books, financial records, and other materials concerning the New-York Historical Society's purchase of the original Audubon watercolors for John James Audubon's The Birds of America from his widow, Lucy Audubon, in 1863. It documents early attempts by Mrs. Audubon and her supporters to interest the New-York Historical Society in the watercolors; the subsequent work by a special committee of the New-York Historical Society Executive Committee to raise the $4,000 needed for the purchase; authorizations, invoices, and receipts; and the unsuccessful attempt to interest New-York Historical in buying the engraved copper plates that were used to print the Double Elephant Folio edition of The Birds of America in 1827-1838. The collection also includes documentation of gifts of a set of the Double Elephant Folio and related objects (1954) and Audubon's writing desk (1969).