The Birds of America. BOTH facsimile editions of 20 plates each of the Double Elephant Folio in original size. RARE (1972, 1973)

Item Details

Leipzig, London, Leipzig Edition, Ariel Press, 1972, 1973, Bound hardcovers

1st and only edition, ltd. to 1000 copies, of those only 250 in english., VERY GOOD +

Vol 1: The Birds of America. A facsimile edition of 20 plates of the Double Elephant Folio in PORTRAIT format, printed using the collotype process. 

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Vol 2: The Birds of America. A facsimile edition of 20 plates of the Double Elephant Folio in LANDSCAPE format, printed using the collotype process. 

Leipzig, London, Leipzig Edition, Ariel Press. 1972, 1973. Double Elephant Folios. 1st and only edition, ltd. to 1000 copies, of those only 250 in English, signed by the director of Ariel Books. Both volumes are no. 748 of the 'Great Britain and Commonwealth Edition' in English. 38.75 x 27.25 inches (99x69cm). Weight: 35 lb each. 46 unnumbered leaves. With 20 color collotype plates,reproduced in full color, retaining both the size and grandeur of the originals. Each plate has it's text page. Hardcover. Text and captions in English.  Note this is from the linen bound portion of the limited edition, with plates in portrait and landscape format. There were also portfolios with loose plates. No other Facsimiles of the Elephant Folio were ever attempted

Prospectus for both included!

Leipzig was the main city for printing and binding in Germany before WW II. After the war Leipzig became part of the Russian Zone, which became the German Democratic Republic (GDR or just 'East Germany'). The East German Government took advantage of the know-how of the old-time printers and bookbinders and founded Edition Leipzig. Without the pressure to bring in profits, Edition Leipzig produced a number of stunning facsimiles, manufactured exclusively for foreign markets and for representative purposes. For example several plate books based on the Maria Sibylla Merian plates and note books in the Hermitage in (then) Leningrad (SEE TWO OF THOSE ON MY WEBSITE). The partial Audubon Double Elephant Folio plate facsimiles are some of the most elaborate reprints produced in the Edition Leipzig.