Alexander Wilson (1766–1813) was a Scottish-American poet, naturalist, illustrator, and pioneering ornithologist whose work laid the foundation for modern American bird study.
After settling near Philadelphia, Wilson supported himself as a schoolteacher while devoting every spare moment to documenting nature. Encouraged by the renowned naturalist William Bartram, he became a tireless field observer of birds. Entirely self-taught as an artist, he mastered drawing and engraving to illustrate his findings with unprecedented accuracy and detail.
Wilson’s landmark American Ornithology (1808–1814) appeared years before John James Audubon’s Birds of America and directly inspired elements of Audubon’s later project.This 19th-century edition testifies to the enduring influence of Wilson’s work. Even as ornithology advanced by the 1870s, his observations and illustrations remained foundational.
These are genuine antique lithographs from 1877.
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)White-headed or Bald Eagle native to the United States of America.America’s national symbol, the Bald Eagle is a powerful raptor with a brilliant white head and tail. Despite the name, it’s not bald — “bald” once meant “white.” With a massive wingspan, it soars masterful..
USD80.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Woodpecker's native to the United States of America.The Ivory-billed Woodpecker was the largest woodpecker of North America. Its striking black and white plumage, massive pale ivory bill and flaming crest made it one of the most iconic birds Wilson ever illustrated. Wide..
USD80.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Shore birds native to the United States of America.A stunning pink wading bird that looks like a flamingo crossed with a spoon. Its vivid rose color comes from a diet of shrimp and crustaceans. Once nearly wiped out by plume hunters, it’s a beautiful symbol of wetland re..
USD80.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Passenger Pigeon and Warblers native to the United States of America.Once the most abundant bird on Earth, with flocks of billions darkening the skies over North America. Hunted relentlessly and stripped of their forest habitat, they went from countless to extinct in dec..
USD80.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Owls native to the United States of America.North America’s most powerful owl (Bubo virginianus), often called the “tiger of the night.” Its prominent ear tufts look like horns, but are just feathers.. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wil..
USD80.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Owl and other birds native to the United States of America.The Eastern Screech-Owl is a small North American owl famous for its eerie trilling calls and screeches. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It ..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Shore birds native to the United States of America.The Louisiana Heron is a nimble hunter in coastal marshes, it darts actively after fish and crabs. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Eagles native to the United States of America.The Ring-tail Eagle is an old name for the young Golden Eagle. Young birds show a distinctive banded “ringed” tail, earning this historic title in early American and European ornithology.. This chromolithograph is from "Ameri..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Shore birds native to the United States of America.Two iconic wading birds of the Americas: the White Ibis probes mud with its long, curved bill for crabs and insects, often flying in dazzling white flocks. The American Flamingo sweeps its unique bent bill upside-down th..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Shore birds native to the United States of America.The Great Heron is North America’s largest heron, a towering 4-foot-tall predator with a 6-foot wingspan. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in ex..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Shore birds native to the United States of America.Watching a flock of Snow Geese land is often described as standing inside a shaken snow globe! This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent con..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Herons native to the United States of America.The Great White Heron is larger and rarer than most herons, it stands tall with snowy plumage, a yellow bill, and long black legs. Once targeted by plume hunters, it’s an elegant symbol of Florida’s coastal wetlands. This chr..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches) This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which complements the rich plumage of the birds...
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Marsh birds common to the United States of America. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which complements the rich plumage of the bir..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches) This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which complements the rich plumage of the birds...
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Shore birds common to the United States of America. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which complements the rich plumage of the bir..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches) This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which complements the rich plumage of the birds...
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Shore birds native to the United States of America. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which complements the rich plumage of the bir..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Sea birds common to the United States of America. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which complements the rich plumage of the birds..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Snowy Owl and Sparrow Hawk native to the United States of America.The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is one of North America's most majestic birds — a powerful, heavy owl built for the frozen north.. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. ..
USD80.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Crossbills and Buntings native to the United States of America.These finches have crossed bills that cross like pliers. This unique adaptation lets them expertly pry open conifer cones and extract seeds with their tongues. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithol..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Swallows are master fliers and catch nearly all their food in mid-air! This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which complements the rich..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Birds native to the United States of America. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which complements the rich plumage of the birds...
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Birds native to the United States of America. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which complements the rich plumage of the birds...
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Cuckoo's and Warbler's native to the United States of America.These cuckoo's are famous for eating hairy caterpillars! This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cr..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)The first nest of the elusive Connecticut Warbler wasn’t discovered until 1883 (over 70 years after the species was described by Alexander Wilson). It remains one of the least-studied North American songbirds. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexa..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)The Fish Hawk is the old name for the Osprey, a spectacular fish-eating raptor common across the USA. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the ..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Owl and finches found in North America. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which complements the rich plumage of the birds...
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)Owl and Hawks native to north America. The Long-eared Owl is one of the most secretive and highly camouflaged raptors in the United States.This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition ..
USD60.00
14 x 22cm (5.5 x 8.75 inches)The Night Hawk has one of the longest migration routes of any North American bird. This chromolithograph is from "American Ornithology" by Alexander Wilson. Published in New York, 1877. It is in excellent condition with a warm light cream tone to the paper which compleme..
USD60.00