How good are Princetons?

Princetons in our premier Gallery 1 are the world’s only direct camera Birds of America lithographs. We purchased the originals in order to accurately reproduce them. A paper conservator addressed the crumbling portion of an original Havell Wood Duck by attaching the corresponding section of ours. The Royal Society of London, of which Audubon was a Fellow, displays Princeton prints in their International Science Conference Center. You can display these same prints in your home or office.

Welcome to Princeton Audubon Prints.

John James Audubon captured moments of calmer times. His life size depiction of the birds of America and quadrupeds were often presented in natural environments, some with recognizable civilization. We are pleased to offer these Audubon originals including the Havell, Imperial Quadruped, and Octavo bird and Octavo quadruped editions. We especially recommend our pre-matted Audubon original Octavo birds and pre-matted Audubon original Octavo quadrupeds which are archivally matted with designer colors. These can be displayed as is or simply dropped into frames.

We also offer spectacular Audubon fine art, such as The Princeton Audubon Double Elephant Edition in Gallery 1. Unique in Audubon fine art, Princetons are the world’s only direct camera Audubon Birds of America lithographs. Princeton actually purchased the Audubon originals and using film the same size as the prints, made a direct transfer of all the color and detail of the antique originals. Stunning well describes the reduced size Princeton Essex NYHS Edition prints and the exquisite Rare Prints Edition. You may also want to browse our “Basement“ for special offers and rare finds.

Princeton Audubon Limited was founded in 1985 by the late David Johnson of Princeton, New Jersey, a collector of superb Audubon originals who also founded the days paramount printing company - Princeton Polychrome Press. This company, now sold, achieved an enviable nationwide reputation by reproducing fine art prints for the National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Whitney Museum of American Art, and The Detroit Institute of Arts.

Far beyond common reproductions and Internet art mills

Here is a ‘jolly good’ recommendation. The Royal Society of London, where John James Audubon was a Fellow, displays our prints in Chicheley Hall, a 300 year old estate in Buckinghamshire, England which serves as their International Science Conference Center. Here is another. A paper conservator addressed the crumbling portion of an original Havell Wood Duck by attaching the corresponding section of ours. Additionally, The New York Times featured our Purple Heron when rolling out their original online store. And Martha Stewart Living framed and featured our Snowy Owl. Why? Audubon author and collector William Steiner, Audubon Prints: A Collector’s Guide To Every Edition, states “True prints, true colors, incredible detail! Princetons are simply the finest Audubon lithographs ever produced!” Far beyond common reproductions, Princetons are the world’s only direct camera Audubon lithographs. Professional reviews

Purchase securely from this website. We also authorize and guarantee sales of our prints from The Audubon House and Gallery in Key West, Florida, The Taylor Clark Audubon Gallery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and The New York Historical Society in New York City. You may also visit your local gallery and have them order the print(s) directly from us. We have also authorized and guarantee sales of our prints from the following websites: Minniesland.com, Rare Prints.com, and Audubon-Prints.com. Phone us if you wish to order by phone or have any questions. 908.510.1621. Thank you for your visit.

Today’s best deals in Audubon prints.

John James Audubon’s exquisite Carolina Parrot (extinct) is on sale today and you can get an additional 25% off by entering coupon code BigFeathers for this and other Gallery 1 prints which are also on sale, such as the Purple Heron or Reddish Egret.

Of interest to Audubon collectors.

Recently acquired is the beautifully framed octavo Grey Fox.

Original Audubon Havells

Our Havells include the beautiful Orchard Oriole and Seaside Finch.

Original Audubon Imperial Quadrupeds

Collectors of Imperial Quadrupeds will find a large selection which includes the Canada Lynx.

Original Audubon Royal Octavo Birds

Our galleries include the originals only, originals already matted, and originals already matted and framed.

Original Audubon Royal Octavo Quadrupeds

Our galleries include the originals only, originals already matted, and originals already matted and framed.

Is my Audubon print an original?

Probably not. Yes, it may have “Drawn from nature by J.J. Audubon” at the bottom, but so do millions of inexpensive reproductions. Same size octavos from a book published in 1890 are regularly and perhaps unknowingly passed off on eBay as originals. Several individuals have sent us these prints and are disappointed to find out that their prints have very little value. Some dealers advertise Amsterdam Edition prints as originals. How can you be sure that your print is authentic? We suggest first reading this page - Authenticating Audubon Originals. Still need help?

Who was John James Audubon?

"...there is nothing perfect but primitiveness, and my efforts at copying nature, like all other things attempted by us poor mortals, fall far short of the originals." J.J. Audubon.

Between 1827 and 1838, John James Audubon, brilliant artist and naturalist, published in London, England, in his own style, a series of 435 large-sized, hand-colored etchings with aquatints in a folio entitled The Birds of America. These were reproduced primarily by Robert Havell and Sons from Audubon’s watercolor studies that he had earlier composed during his several journeys throughout the young United States. Looking back, Audubon wrote ... "Having studied drawing for a short while in my youth under good masters, I felt a great desire to make choice of a style more particularly adapted to the imitation of feathers than the drawings in water colours that I had been in the habit of seeing, and moreover, to complete a collection not only valuable to the scientific class, but pleasing to every person, by adopting a different course of representation from the mere profile-like cut figures, given usually in works of that kind." More info.

What is a double elephant?

"It is now a month since my work was begun by Mr. Lizars; the paper is of unusual size, called 'double elephant', and the plates are to be finished in such superb style as to eclipse all of the same kind in existence." - J.J. Audubon, December 10, 1826. Read more...

What is the value of my Audubon print?

Have Princetons been reviewed by professionals?

“True prints, true colors, incredible detail. Princetons are simply the finest Audubon facsimiles ever produced!” - William Steiner, Audubon print collector and author of Audubon Prints: A Collector’s Guide To Every Edition. "Of all the Audubon reproductions, Princetons come the closest in appearance and quality to the originals." Chris Lane, co-owner of Philadelphia Print Shop and guest appraiser on PBS Antiques Roadshow. Princeton Audubons stand above all other modern offset facsimile reproductions. The colors are bright, fresh and natural looking, and the amount of detail seen in the images is extraordinary. - Audubon expert Ron Flynn. "The brilliant art prints in this rare limited edition collection are artistic triumphs of exceptional quality and beauty" James Bell, past director New-York Historical Society, New York City. "With their astounding detail, definition, and color, the Princeton direct-camera facsimiles have long set the standard in Audubon Birds of America lithographs." Louise Mirrer, current Director, The New-York Historical Society. "The quality of the reproductions reflects precisely the extraordinary state of the art craftsmanship Princeton Polychrome Press has consistently engendered since its inception." Theodore S. Amussen, Former director of publications and editor-in-chief, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (Editor's note: Princeton Polychrome Press is the predecessor to Princeton Audubon Limited) "The Princeton Collection represents a remarkable example of historic accuracy and beauty. No other modern Audubon edition gives collectors the quality and value of the Princeton edition. Audubon himself would no doubt be impressed by the superior workmanship in each print." - Glen Mullen, former Gallery Manager, Audubon House & Gallery, Key West, FL. "Selected brilliant engravings from the pages of Audubon's BIRDS OF AMERICA have been reproduced with artistic and technical precision by Princeton Polychrome Press. The Princeton Polychrome Press deserves our praise and congratulations for a job well done!" - James B. Bell, Past Director The New-York Historical Society "The Princeton Collection reproductions of Audubon's birds offer an incredible value. The quality of color, definition and paper are fantastic and far beyond expectations." Ben Frishman, Audubon print expert and owner of Rare-Prints Gallery, Austin, Texas, USA.