John James Audubon (1785-1851). Renowned Haitian-born American artist, ornithologist and naturalist. Audubon is known around the world for his spectacular artistic renderings of The Birds of America as well as his other classic Quadrapeds of North America.. Audubon began his career as a businessman even though had shown an intense interest in observing and drawing birds from childhood.His attempts at trade eventually led him to Louisville and subsequently to New Orleans and then back to Philadelphia. While his partner worked at the business Audubon spent most of his time hunting, fishing and painting. He came up with the idea of using wires inserted in his stuffed bird specimens he could pose them in action and thus impart a sense of vitality and movement in the specimens which he then captured in his watercolors and paintings.After Audubon sold his business interests he was unable to obtain a publisher for his art in this country so, at the suggestion of his friend Lucien Bonaparte, he went to England where he found the engraver William Lizars in Edinburgh with whom he did the first 5 plates for his elephant folio of Birds of America, including his most famous-The Wild Turkey. Then, he moved on to London where Robert Havel, Jr. became his chief engraver and the first complete printing of his Birds is therefore known as the Havel edition.In order to cover expenses Audubon traveled as worked as a salesman selling subscriptions to patrons including Queen Charlotte of England.

This offering is a fine and interesting ALS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 in. x 10 in, written on August 22, 1830. Audubon writes from Manchester, England to his son Victor, discussing business and artistic matters related to his Birds of America, the recent Revolution in France, and mentioning Lafayette, Wellington, and "the present Monarch of England ... [whose] Consort [Queen Charlotte] has sent me her patronage anew." In part: "Our object is not altogether a Journey of pleasure, my business in a great measure requires it and I thought a well fit opportunity to shew the country to your Mamma at this pleasantest part of the year in England. My subscribers are glad to see my face from time to time and I am glad to see their money-I am anxious to augment their number and this can be done by travelling and letting the world know that I am in the Land of the living.... Your Mamma wrote to say that we were not in France during the late Revolution-a Revolution of the noblest kind ever performed and one which I think will teach Crowned Heads to take care of themselves and not to trample down their Subjects.... The 19th No. [of Birds of America] is engraved and I long to see the 20th finished. It will compleat the 1st Volume which of itself will be a beacon of my existence. I have sent 8 oil Pictures to the Birmingham Exhibition...." In very good condition, with light wrinkling, faint folds touching signature, a few small stains to text, chip to top edge of pages touching a few words, and seal-related tear and small loss to final page affecting a few words. The writing is dark and clear throughout, and the signature is large and distinct and the letter is signed John J. Audubon.

The plate # 19 and 20 that Audubon refers to in the letter were The Louisiana Water Thrush and The Louisiana Heron and these birds were undoubtedly drawn during the time he spent in and around New Orleans before coming back to Philadelphia and then to England.

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