Black or Surf Duck from 'Birds of America' by John James Audubon, 1827

Introducing "Black or Surf Duck. Fuligula Perspicillata, Male Adult 1, Female 2" by John James Audubon, first published in 1827. This original double-elephant folio aquatint offers a vivid portrayal of two Surf Scoters against their coastal environment backdrop, showcasing Audubon's unparalleled fusion of scientific accuracy and artistic excellence.

Now, for the first time in almost 200 years, you can own a unique, personalized print of this iconic artwork. Your art will be meticulously restored and prepared by The Unique Maps Co. workshop, printed on premium archival matte paper that is both fade-resistant and durable for decades to come.

John James Audubon was a pioneering ornithologist and painter, renowned for his ambitious project, The Birds of America. His work was groundbreaking due to the life-sized format and detailed depiction of various bird species. "Black or Surf Duck" stands out for its dynamic composition, featuring the commanding stance of the male duck with his dark plumage and distinctive white eye patch contrasted with the subtler tones of the watchful female on the beach.

Audubon's work is distinguished not just by its scientific accuracy but by its artistic flair. The meticulous detail of the male Surf Scoter's colorful bill and expressive pose contrasts beautifully with the tranquil demeanor of the female, her plumage blending seamlessly with the sandy shore. This piece captures a serene coastal scene with clamshells scattered by the tide, portraying the natural habits and habitat of these fascinating birds.

This exquisite print would make a treasured gift for any occasion, be it a birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day, housewarming, or a thoughtful gesture for someone with a keen interest in art or ornithology. Add a touch of historical elegance and natural beauty to someone's life with Audubon's timeless "Black or Surf Duck."

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 18x24in (45x60cm) 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