I got this book from a friend, does anyone know why it’s called the “baby elephant folio”? i couldn’t find an answer online

[u/tetraphorus]

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[u/Emotional-Top-8284]

I believe it’s a joke: the original Audubon printing was on a paper size called “double elephant”, about 40” x 26.5”. This printing is much smaller, so to be cheeky they’re calling it “baby elephant”.

[u/Disastrous-Year571 → u/Emotional-Top-8284]

Agree, they are just being playful here.

Back in 1981 there was another “Baby Elephant” Audubon reprint by Abbeville Press that was larger than this and might have influenced the name:

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=32076616298&gQT=2

[u/newly78 → u/Disastrous-Year571]

That's the copy I have.

[u/SassyTheSkydragon → u/Disastrous-Year571]

Holy moly that price though. Is this an older print run?

[u/Disastrous-Year571 → u/SassyTheSkydragon]

From 1981 and they took care to make the plates high quality.

If that seems like a lot of money, look at what the original 1827-1838 Double Elephant folio sells for:

https://www.rarebookhub.com/articles/1227

Single plates from that edition go for thousands of dollars.

[u/tetraphorus → u/Emotional-Top-8284]

oh wow this is very interesting!! how cute :)

[u/Hi_Trans_Im_Dad → u/Emotional-Top-8284]

My grandmother had a first printing of the original and I'm still cross that I didn't get it in the will.

[u/krsisue]

It is the size of the folio. There is a larger size called elephant folio

[u/Organic_Awareness685]

Yes the paper.

[u/5plendiferou5]

Lol, I‘ve had the same little book for years and I’ve never noticed it says that! Had to go find mine to check.