Haitian-born American ornithologist and artist (1785–1851) whose monumental pictorial studies of the birds and quadrupeds of North America take a place among the most distinguished accomplishments in the history of zoology and natural history illustration. ALS, in French, signed “J. Audubon,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 9.75, September 1, 1810. Audubon writes to his father. In full: “I wrote you two months ago, we had then left Louisville or the Ohio Falls where we sold some thousand gourds for this place. It is probable that we won’t leave it from now until winter to maybe go down up to the Mississippi, from there to New Orleans and at last going around by sea to New York or Philadelphia. You cannot conceive what pleasure I will have or rather, my wife and I will have to see you in this country. We live comfortably, doing our business easily and having fun just the same. I always loved the hunting and fishing that you did, it is plentiful [in English in the text] here. We can kill dears and wild turkeys every day. Since I left France, I have been very busy with bird natural history, consequently increasing my bird collection, wishing several for you. I thought about the kind Dorbigny what pleasure he would have had with big game; you must know by now that Mille Grove’s wife is deceased. Mr. Dacos and his company work at the lead mine a lot, event though they have not yet sold any products. I hope that the first ship from France will bring me news from you. I do not write you long but I write you often. My dear Victor goes everywhere and soon will be able to pronounce your name. My wife joins me to offer her friendship. Never any couple was ever so good together. Kiss our sister and dear mother for us without forgetting Puigaudeau and his family and believe me to be your friend for ever.” “Rozier offers his respects and ask you to reassure his family that he is well and that he does not forget them. Farewell.” Integral second page is addressed in Audubon’s hand, with his signature, “Mr. John Audubon,” across the top of the address panel. Audubon was born on his father’s sugar plantation, the illegitimate son of Lieutenant Jean Audubon, a French naval officer (and privateer) and his mistress, Jeanne Rabin, a Spanish Creole from Louisiana. During the American Revolution, Jean Audubon was imprisoned by the British and after release helped the American cause. A slave rebellion in 1788 forced Audubon’s father to sell his holdings and he returned to France with his three year old son. Audubon was raised by his stepmother, Anne Moynet in Nantes, France to whom his father was already married for many years. He was formally adopted in March 1789 and named Jean-Jacques Fougere Audubon, which he later Americanized to John James Audubon upon boarding ship for his migration to America in 1803 at age 18. Intersecting mailing folds, one through a single letter of signature, scattered light toning, a bit heavier to top of both pages, two small holes to each page, trivially affecting text, and a small area of paper loss from missing wax seal. RRAuction COA.
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