Audubon's astonishing 'Birds of America'

Birds of America' by John James Audubon is the finest ornithological book ever produced and has pride of place in the Library's 'World of the book' exhibition. Bound in four volumes, the complete set contains 435 portraits of North American birds – each hand-painted and reproduced at life size. Principal Librarian Des Cowley reveals some intriguing stories behind this astonishing work of art, including how the Library came to acquire it.#AntiqueScientific