John James Audubon's Birds Of America
In 1833, the Massachusetts General Court appropriated $800 dollars to purchase a subscription to John J. Audubon’s Birds of America. 175-200 copies were made and fewer than 120 complete copies are known to exist. The double-elephant folio of 435 life-size prints is one of the State Library’s greatest treasures.
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Common American Swan
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Shortly after Audubon finished publishing his first portfolio in the spring of 1833, the Committee of the Library and several prominent Bostonians expressed interest in purchasing the work for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. On March 21, 1833 a Resolve * was presented to the Massachusetts General Court for the purchase of a subscription to Birds of America.
The Resolve, though popular, was struck down. Confusion over the initial cost of the works nullified the Resolve. Several legislators understood that the Resolve was for a lump sum payment, which the General Court determined it could not afford. Other legislators questioned the Commonwealths need for such a purchase altogether. After a motion to reconsider, several legislators spent a day debating the artistic and cultural significance of the work, while others made it clear that the cost of the work would be spread out over several years. The Resolve was amended and passed.
The first volume was purchased for $200 dollars and arrived at the State House on May 3, 1833. The volumes, four in total, were distributed three more times, the last in 1839. The final cost, including the addition of an 1835 Resolve for binding and preservation, amounted to $1,055 dollars.
The volumes were immediately put on display at the State House for public viewing. Unlike today, the public could freely browse the volumes which over several years led to wear and minor damage. The volumes were taken off display and were permanently stored in the State Library of Massachusetts Special Collections vault. To help further the preservation, the volumes were divided into eight units. After more than twenty years, the works were put on dispay at the State House for public viewing on April 5, 2006 for the State Libraries 180th Anniversary.
*A document which requests an action of a less general nature than a Bill, such as the creation of a special commission. A petition must accompany the resolve, as with a Bill. |
