"There is a limited supply, and they are becoming extraordinarily appreciated as our world shrinks," notes Roberta Olson, curator of drawings at the New York Historical Society, which paid Audubon’s widow, Lucy, $4,000 in the early 1860s for the watercolors. "He’s preserved not only a part of America, but a part of the world that is going away."

Nevertheless, truly discerning Audubon collectors believe the smartest long-term investment lies in obtaining the best possible copy of a given print, even at a premium price. At a Sotheby’s sale in January, for example, an original American Flamingo listed at $150,000 to $200,000 failed to sell. The Old Print Shop’s Newman says he had a client who was willing to spend in that range, but he advised the client to pass on this particular print because of a large brown stain on the paper. Restoring the paper would have significantly dimmed the bird’s pink hue, one of the print’s strongest features. "Audubon collectors are particularly finicky–and they should be," he adds. "Condition and color are very important."

Sidor, a California-based pharmaceutical executive, learned that lesson with his first Audubon purchase, the only such prints he has acquired and then resold during his three decades of collecting. Those first images were trimmed and pasted to boards. Sidor bought them before he realized the value of full margins, not to mention the collectibility of various sizes and types of birds. Sidor was young at the time, and says he has no regrets. Since then, however, he has immersed himself in the world of Audubon and allayed any anxieties by working with dealers he trusts and who are experts in paper conservation. "The first few prints I bought were a lesson in how to collect," he explains. "Obviously the value of a print would be much higher if it is in absolutely pristine condition, but, realistically, there is less and less of that available."

Value Judgment: The uniqueness and quality of John James Audubon’s work, combined with his quirky personal story, is fueling a marked increase in the value of his ornithological prints. Prices have consistently and impressively increased in recent years. Dealers and collectors say some undervalued pieces can be found, but warn newcomers to avoid small, unpopular or poorly preserved prints. When it comes to Audubon, condition is critical.

Unlike coin or map mavens who like to congregate and even engage in competitive displays of their collections, Audubon aficionados prefer more private enjoyment of their treasures. Newcomers can find an Internet community at groups.yahoo.com/group/audubonprints. Veteran collectors also recommend minniesland.com, named for the estate Audubon and his wife maintained in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan prior to his death. Classic books include Audubon Art Prints: A Collector’s Guide to Every Edition by Bill Steiner; Under a Wild Sky by William Souder; and Handbook of Audubon Prints by Taylor Clark and Lois Elmer Bannon.

The best way to learn about Audubon prints is to view well-preserved originals and study how purchases should look. Because his work has been widely, and often poorly, reproduced, this seemingly simple exercise can prove revelatory. Collector Keith Kattner of Illinois recalls the first time he saw a full-length Audubon print in the Chicago gallery of dealer Joel Oppenheimer. A student of 19th-century art, Kattner was amazed by the quality of the prints created by Lizars and Havell. "To me, Audubon is one of the most profound artists of the 19th century. A book never gives the impact," says Kattner, who now maintains a collection with a retail value of about $400,000.

Flights of Fancy
Audubon broke with tradition by showing birds in lifelike poses in their natural habitats, which he knew from his explorations of America’s wilderness. Kattner says that Audubon has taught him much about art, particularly techniques for balancing birds on the page and for showing movement. His favorite print features seven lively Carolina parakeets, one of which seems about to fly right off the page.