3. [AMERICANA] - John James AUDUBON. Chuck-will's-widow London: R. Havell, [c.1829]. [Plate LII]. Engraving with etching and aquatint, hand-colored. On double elephant folio sheet, watermarked J. Whatman / Turkey Mill / 1836. Sheet size: 35 x 26 1/2 in. Condition: minor toning at edges, short edge tear in the upper margin.
"Painting depicts a male, above, and female, below, on dead tree limbs showing aggression towards a snake twining along the upper limb. Audubon correctly identified the Harlequin Snake ... but he erred when he wrote it was 'harmless'" (Low, p. 59).
est. $150 – £250