Much as we love birds, and Mr Audubon’s illustrations, little did we know their value in book form, or that we might have this opportunity to see them on display under one roof (click the museum’s banner to the left or any of the bird images to go to the source):
John James Audubon’s hand-engraved The Birds of America (1827-1838), is the world’s most valuable book. But which page illustration from the book should be shown first in our new Treasures gallery?
Vote for your favourite page from the 4 below and see it in the Treasures gallery when it opens on 30 November 2012.
Anti-gambling though we are, we encourage you to cast a vote on the Natural History Museum’s website for your favorite Audubon illustration, with the chance to win a complete edition of Audubon’s The Birds of America.
The original 4-work volume by Audubon is known as the world’s most expensive book and his finely-executed 435 hand-engraved colour illustrations portray the birds life-size in natural positions and in their native habitats.
The closing date for the Free Prize Draw is 31 October 2012 at midnight.
Museum entry is free (though there is a charge for some temporary exhibitions) every day from 10:00 until 17:50, with last admission at 17:30 except on the last Friday of each month, when the museum is open until 22:30
There are many ways to reach the Museum:
- By tube We are within walking distance of South Kensington station on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines.
- By bus Routes 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414 and C1 stop near us. The 360 stops in Exhibition Road.
- By bicycle There are cycle parking facilities by the Cromwell Road entrance and there are racks along Exhibition Road.
- The nearest Barclays Cycle Hire docking station is outside the Exhibition Road entrance. Other nearby locations include Queen’s Gate and South Kensington tube station.
By coach Victoria Coach Station is within walking distance of Victoria train and tube station on the Circle or District lines. The Museum is 2 stops on the westbound underground. For groups travelling by coach, the coach drop-off point is outside the Cromwell Road entrance.
- By car Driving to the Museum may not be easy and parking is not available on Exhibition Road, which is exclusively for residents and a limited number of Blue Badge holders.
Use the Cromwell Road entrance for dinosaurs, creepy-crawlies and the blue whale.
Use the Cromwell Road entrance for the Darwin Centre and the Wildlife Garden.
Use the Exhibition Road entrance for volcanoes, earthquakes and our giant Earth model.
The Cromwell Road entrance has 10 steps. The Exhibition Road entrance is step-free.
More information on Museum entrances.
Organikos 