Every collector or explorer has his "Holy Grail". An object of great interest or importance, which the person or institution feels will make their lives complete, once it is acquired. We, have ours!

Though we possess the world’s largest collection of original oil paintings by Audubon and his two sons, the world’s largest collection of memorabilia from the Audubon family, wonderful examples of his watercolor birds, crayon/graphite portraits, and a complete collection of all his publications, we have this void in our lives. Before we can lay our heads peacefully on a pillow and sleep contentedly, we must acquire, a "copper plate". It is our "Holy Grail" and Lancelot has nothing on us as far as effort and persistence.

At any rate, Audubon’s paintings of the birds of America were copied by Havell onto thin copper or steel plates. These plates, bearing the enormous detail of Audubon’s original paintings, but in mirror image, were used to print a black image on paper. This image was then brought to life by a complex and laborious process of applying each color by hand, until the images we know today emerged.

Years later, after John James Audubon and his two sons had died, Lucy Audubon faced financial disaster. Then seventy-five years old, Audubon’s widow was forced to sell her home, and all of Audubon’s watercolor paintings of the birds, to pay the debts left by the failed business of her second son, John Woodhouse Audubon.  Still in financial peril, Lucy made the heart wrenching decision to sell the 435 copper and steel plates bearing the images of Audubon’s life’s work. Knowing that the name of Audubon was still magical and revered, she was sure some museum or similar institution would see the historical and artistic importance of these objects and purchase them for preservation and the public good. There were no takers! In the end, with no other option, Lucy sold them for scrap metal.

As they were being thrown into the furnace and melted down, a fourteen year old boy, Charles Cowles, watched. He, like most everyone else, knew about Audubon’s "Birds of America". However, so expensive and rare were the volumes of Audubon’s work, few people would even have the opportunity to see them. As he watched, even in his youth, he knew this should not be happening. He went to his father, the foundry general manager, who refused to stop the destruction. He then convinced his mother to intervene. In all, only 78 survived.

That’s why we need one of these plates to feel complete. They are such an important part of the story. They are such a magical part of the story, showing how Audubon’s birds were immortalized and found their way into the lives of people all over the world. Thus, we will not and cannot rest until this has come to pass.

Strange as it is, a few days after I wrote the above, a copper plate became available. Tune in next time to see what happens!