Abbeville's classic edition of The Birds of America is back in stock-in a striking new package. The Baby Elephant Folio presents all 435 of Audubon's brilliant hand-colored engravings in exquisite reproductions derived from the original plates of the National Audubon Society's archival copy of the rare Double Elephant Folio. Although many attempts have been made to re-create the splendid illustrations in Audubon's masterpiece, nothing has ever equaled the level of fidelity achieved in this luxurious edition. Organized and annotated by Roger Tory Peterson and Virginia Marie Peterson, and issued with the full endorsement and cooperation of the Audubon Society, this volume is as informative as it is beautiful. Its fascinating introduction places Audubon in the context of the history of American ornithological art and also reproduces a wide sampling of the work of his notable predecessors and disciples, including Roger Tory Peterson's own rightfully famous paintings. A new systematic arrangement of the prints, following the modern classification of species, and descriptive captions about each bird allow us to appreciate Audubon's achievement in the light of modern ornithology. AUTHORS: Roger Tory Peterson established himself as America's leading ornithologist with his best-selling Field Guide to the Birds. Like Audubon, Peterson received many honorary degrees and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Honor. Virginia Marie Peterson was a scientist and an expert on the environmental effects of oil spills. SELLING POINTS: . The finest single-volume edition of Audubon's Birds of America-with a luxurious 12 by 15 inch trim size-is back in stock . This printing features a new natural-textured paper stock, a strikingly redesigned cover and slipcase, and improved typography throughout . Edited by legendary ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson and his wife and collaborator Virginia Maria Peterson . Presents all 435 of Audubon's plates in modern taxonomic order, with the Petersons' commentaries on each bird . An abundantly illustrated introduction surveys Audubon's life and career and the history of American bird art before and after him