The discovery of John James Audubon’s very first print, made in 1824 and until now known only from his journal entries, seems like a good reason to show off some of the Carter’s own Audubon prints, which were digitized under the auspices of our NEA digitization grant. While Audubon’s first print depicted a heath hen, a now-extinct bird native to the far eastern United States, he also created images of birds and mammals that you may see here in Texas.
All works by John James Audubon (1785-1851).
Vulpes velox, Say. Swift Fox. Natural Size. Male., lithograph with applied color, 1844
The swift fox, possibly the most adorable animal in North America, is native to the prairies of the Midwest, from the Texas panhandle up to the Canadian grasslands.
Didelphis virginiana, Pennant. Virginian Opossum. Female & Young Male, 7 Months Old. Natural Size, lithograph with applied watercolor, 1845
The virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America.
Lepus texianus, Aud. & Bach. Texian Hare, Male. Natural Size. , lithograph with applied watercolor, 1848
With his long ears and long legs, the jackrabbit is actually a hare, which can be found in the deserts and prairies of Texas.
Great American Hen & Young. Vulgo, Female Wild Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo., engraving with applied watercolor, 1827
The wild turkey is native to the eastern half of the United States, and was (jokingly) suggested by Benjamin Franklin to be our national bird.
Hooping [sic] Crane. Grusamericana. Adult Male., aquatint and engraving with applied watercolor, 1834
The whooping crane is an endangered species that winters on the Texas gulf coast.
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