By JUDY JENKINS, Gleaner staff
John James Audubon's "Tell-Tale Godwit" is telling
a new tale, one that's both history-making and money-making.
That wading bird painted by Audubon in Florida in 1832 and engraved
on a copper plate by famed London printer Robert Havell in 1836 is the
subject of a 100-copy limited-edition print that goes on sale here Tuesday,
Oct. 1.
For the first two weeks, sales will be confined to members of the Friends
of Audubon, the Audubon Museum support group which is sponsoring the project,
and also to those who attended the Aug. 1 USI printing experiment that
saw the Havell plate utilized for the first time in 164 years.
On Oct. 15 any remaining prints will be available to the general public.
The uncolored offerings are $500 each, with 50 of the limited edition printed
in black ink, and 50 in sepia ink.
Though the general public won't have access to the prints until mid-October,
those who are interested in purchasing one or more may call Audubon Museum
Curator Don Boarman or Museum Art Educator Kim McGrew at 827-1893 to have
their names placed on a waiting list.
Referring to the limited-edition offering, Boarman said to the knowledge
of the Friends of Audubon and the museum staff, "No one's ever done this
the way we're doing it." While there previously have been a few prints
or "restrikes" made from the scant number of remaining copper plates used
in Audubon's crowning work, the "Birds of America," there have been no
limited-edition series for sale.
Proceeds from this enterprise will go to the Friends of Audubon coffers
for future acquisitions for the museum's collection.
The possibility of a limited edition of the "Tell-Tale Godwit" -- later
known as "Greater Yellow Legs" -- has been under consideration by the Friends
since that organization and the local Preston Family Foundation purchased
the 166-year-old copper plate in September, 2001 at a cost of $142,500.
The plate, one of only 78 surviving plates from the original 435 used
in the "Birds of America" printing, fulfilled a long-time dream for those
associated with the museum. Boarman referred to it as the museum's "Holy
Grail," as it filled a gap in the facility's collection of Audubon art,
artifacts and family mementos.
The plates, most of them owned by museums or universities, rarely come
on the market, and the Friends of Audubon didn't hesitate when plate #
308, "Tell-Tale Godwit" became available last fall. It had been owned by
Havell descendent George Havell, Jr., who died in 1999 and left the plate
to his nieces and nephews who live in Vermont. They decided to sell it
and contacted an art agent who knew of the local museum's quest.
Last month, that plate was inked by Michael Aakus, USI art professor,
in a breath-holding moment that saw an image "pulled" from its detailed
engraving of two long-legged birds who lived nearly two centuries ago.
Boarman said the results, though reflecting the scratches and nicks
the plate had sustained over many years, were promising. Over the next
month, "We discussed the possibility (of a limited edition) with various
people" and decided to go for it with Aakus "a master printer," making
the 28-by-39-inch prints on archival paper that is embossed with Audubon's
stamp.
The prints, which are numbered, are sheathed in a folder and accompanied
by a letter of authenticity.
Boarman said the future may see another 150 prints produced from the
nickle-coated copper plate, but he doubts there will ever be more than
that because the Friends won't risk further damage to the plate that came
within moments of being melted down for scrap metal in the early 1870s.
That plate and 77 others escaped the fiery furnace when a 14-year-old boy
recognized their value and managed to save them.
Boarman said initially a hand-colored limited edition was contemplated,
"and that was tempting," but it would have necessitated "erasing the plate's
scratches, and that would have erased its history.
"We thought it was better to leave it the way it was. It has a charm
all its own."
September 24, 2002