American Magpie by John James Audubon, 1827

Discover the beauty of American Magpie (Plate 357), an exquisite bird illustration from John James Audubon’s renowned Birds of America, originally published in 1827. This detailed representation of the American Magpie captures the strength and vivacity of this remarkable bird species, noted for its distinct black and white plumage and long tail.

We offer you an exceptionally high-quality fine art print, meticulously restored and crafted by The Unique Maps Co. Choose to personalize and customize this print to make it uniquely yours, all while preserving the integrity and splendor of Audubon’s original masterpiece.

John James Audubon was an eminent naturalist and painter, celebrated for his expansive work in documenting and illustrating American bird species. The Birds of America, a cornerstone of ornithological literature, consists of 435 hand-colored prints and showcases Audubon's unparalleled capacity to capture the essence and subtleties of his avian subjects. Audubon’s work, including this print of the American Magpie, is characterized by a vivid, lifelike presence, and intricate attention to detail.

The American Magpie itself is a fascinating creature. Despite its abundance in the north-western United States, it seldom ventures near the Atlantic. Audubon’s illustration of this bird not only highlights its distinctive appearance but also sheds light on its intriguing behavior and bold nature, as documented by early American explorers and naturalists. The combination of historical significance and artistic excellence makes this print a compelling piece for bird enthusiasts and art collectors alike.

The vivid contrasts of black, blue, and green hues in the Magpie’s feathers, as depicted by Audubon, bring a dynamic and vibrant element to any space. Observers will appreciate the meticulous rendering of textures and patterns, showcasing Audubon’s skill in combining scientific accuracy with artistic mastery. By owning this print, you capture a piece of natural history rendered through the eyes of one of America's greatest artists.

This beautiful illustration makes for a thoughtful and extraordinary gift for any occasion, be it a birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father's Day, housewarming, or work leaving. Perfect for those who have an impeccable taste in art or an appreciation for birds and the wonders of the natural world.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide