496 Audubon Octavo 1st Edition Texan Turtle Dove

App measurement 6 1/2 x 9 1.2 inches. When the production of the double elephant prints was nearing its completion, Audubon began a new undertaking. This was to be a miniature edition of the Birds of America, accompanied by text.  This work is often termed The Royal Octavo Edition, the octavo referring to the size of the paper being about 1/8 the size of a normal folio, or about 6 1/2 x 10 1/2inches. Audubon himself called it "The Birds in Miniature" and you will also hear it simply being termed the 'miniatures'.  It was produced in Philadelphia, USA, by John T. Bowen. This print is from the 1st edition, being produced between 1840-1844.