November 9, 2025 • 17 mins
This May 19, 1953 episode of Adventures in Research tells the story of John James Audubon — the artist and naturalist whose devotion to studying and painting birds resulted in one of the most celebrated works in American scientific and artistic history: Birds of America.
From his early fascination with woodland songbirds to the years he spent traveling, sketching, and refining his craft, this broadcast traces Audubon’s lifelong effort to capture birds as they truly appear in nature — vivid, life-sized, and full of motion. His determination would carry him across continents and through hardship, driven by a belief that the beauty of the wild should be preserved and understood.
This short dramatization blends biography with atmosphere, presenting Audubon not only as a painter but as a man who saw the natural world with both precision and awe.
Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net
Related links:
The National Audubon Society
https://www.audubon.org
Birds of America Digital Collection
https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america
John James Audubon Biography:
https://www.nps.gov/people/john-james-audubon.htm
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.
From his early fascination with woodland songbirds to the years he spent traveling, sketching, and refining his craft, this broadcast traces Audubon’s lifelong effort to capture birds as they truly appear in nature — vivid, life-sized, and full of motion. His determination would carry him across continents and through hardship, driven by a belief that the beauty of the wild should be preserved and understood.
This short dramatization blends biography with atmosphere, presenting Audubon not only as a painter but as a man who saw the natural world with both precision and awe.
Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net
Related links:
The National Audubon Society
https://www.audubon.org
Birds of America Digital Collection
https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america
John James Audubon Biography:
https://www.nps.gov/people/john-james-audubon.htm
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Pardon me, are you Adam Graham?
Speaker 2 (00:03):
The very same? And this is my old time radio
snack wagon.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Welcome to the Old Time Radio snack Wagon, where we
serve up a bite sized portion of old time radio.
And now here's your snack wagon host Adam Graham.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
This week we're serving up another episode of Adventures and Research. Now,
this is a series that is known for its focus
on scientific research. But if there's one clear message from
the series, it's that research that advances human understanding can
take on many forms. And today's story is of a
(00:50):
man whose efforts combined art and science. Here from May nineteenth,
nineteen fifty three is Heart in.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
The Skies.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Adventures in Research. Birds suit the fancy of all mankind.
What they feel they can voice as man tries to,
They court and nest, They battle with the elements. They
are torn by a love of home and a passion
for far places. Only with birds does man share so
(01:32):
much emotion. And no one did more to further their
appreciation than an American naturalist and painter who can truly
be said to have had his Heart in the Skies.
This is Paul Shannon bringing you another transcribed story of science,
produced as a public Service in cooperation with the Westinghouse
(01:55):
Research Laboratories, and today bringing you the story of John
James Otto, whose love for birds inspired one of the
greatest creative efforts in all scientific literature, Birds of America.
In seventeen ninety three, in the old city of not, France,
(02:17):
a peasant came to the kitchen door of Naval Captain Audubon.
Speaker 5 (02:21):
Eh, and your body to home? Cook, cook?
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Coming? Coming? Oh? Well?
Speaker 6 (02:28):
Ana?
Speaker 4 (02:29):
The birds?
Speaker 6 (02:30):
Never?
Speaker 4 (02:31):
What have you there? Dangling on the hook?
Speaker 7 (02:34):
Six fine thrushes caught only one hour ago in the forest.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Not today?
Speaker 6 (02:39):
Right now, Madame Audubon has roast for the table.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
Whost It is not everyday one can eat wood.
Speaker 6 (02:47):
Rush six tiny birds for a family of four. Ah,
there's not enough meat there to fill young Master Audubon's tooth.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Oh here he comes now, I will ask.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Him good morning, cook, and you.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
In, young Matstad.
Speaker 6 (03:01):
If you had a choice for dinner, would you prefer
joint hosts or these wood thrush on raynoldshok.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
Wood threshers, song birds? Why have you killed them? Reynard
to shell for food?
Speaker 8 (03:14):
What else?
Speaker 5 (03:15):
I would not eat a bird that sings? Never?
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Tail's your answering? No?
Speaker 8 (03:21):
Then I bid you good day.
Speaker 5 (03:22):
Wait what will you do with these birds? If no
one buys them? Then I put them.
Speaker 8 (03:29):
In the park.
Speaker 5 (03:30):
I have some coppers sell them to me.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Little Jean Jacques got a bond gazed down at the
spotted birds in his hand. It was pleasant to hold them,
to look at them so close, but he had no
way to keep them, so he went to his father
for advice.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
Uh, Juan, what have you there?
Speaker 5 (03:53):
Wood thrushes? I bought them from Raynard?
Speaker 4 (03:57):
And what do you intend to do with them?
Speaker 5 (03:59):
I do no. That is why I've come to you.
I should like to keep one.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
At least, Why do you wish to keep it?
Speaker 5 (04:08):
Because I can never get close enough to them in
the trees, and if I have to throw them away,
I'll not have any birds to look at anymore.
Speaker 9 (04:19):
So that's your problem, is it? Come here, my boy?
You see this book. It contains a picture of a
wood thrush. You can always come to my study and
look at this.
Speaker 5 (04:32):
But father, it is not the same. It won't be
the bird as I see it.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
And tell me how do you see it?
Speaker 5 (04:42):
This morning? This bird was alive, alive and singing. This
picture in a book is as lifeless.
Speaker 9 (04:53):
Well, my son, I am afraid what you are searching
for you will not find Indian books.
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Then I will draw my own birds.
Speaker 9 (05:04):
An ambitious undertaking, my son, But if it makes you happy,
I see no harm in it.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Thus began the inspiration that ultimately led to Ottubon's now
famous Birds of America. Even in childhood, Drdobon was a
scientist to study directly from nature, and he drew birds
as no man before or since has ever seen these
feathered creatures. Years past, Odubon was eighteen, the father made
(05:38):
a sudden decision his son should go to America to
manage the family's interest at Mill Grove in Pennsylvania. And
John James Otdubon, as he now called himself, was no
sooner settled in America than he fell in love with
an English girl, Lucy Bakewell.
Speaker 6 (05:54):
Lucy, have you completely lost your senses? I forbid it,
I forbid you to see this frenchman. He comes here
with his fancy clothes and sings and dances and plays
the violin, and that insufferable way of speaking English, d
and thou.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
That's because John was taught our language by Quakers.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
What in the world do you see in the fellow.
Speaker 6 (06:14):
He's never done an honest day's work, neglected his father's
lead mind to go running off into the woods or
hiding in the rushes down by the creek to watch
the birds. Now, Lucy, is that the sort of wife
you want to be? Playing second fiddle to a lot
of birds, Lucy, Lucy, that's John.
Speaker 8 (06:32):
Now then you must excuse me, Lucy. Yes, John, I
have just come from the forest. I have brought the
a gift, A gift for me. A warbler, Lucy, a
chestnut sided warbler. Has the ever seen a finer bird?
Speaker 5 (06:48):
It? It's beautiful, John.
Speaker 8 (06:51):
This warbler I have drawn on my paper, Lucy. He
will live forever. This bird will never die.
Speaker 5 (06:59):
If I would yell, John, I'd have a bitter time
of it. For every bird's my rival, ah, not.
Speaker 8 (07:05):
Thy rival, Lucy. Each bird speaks of thee.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
What do they say, John.
Speaker 8 (07:12):
That Jean Jacques Audaubon loves thee and he wants thee
to go to Louisville with him as his wife, to Louisville. Yes,
the French colony has gathered in Louisville, and I am
going into business there with Ferdinand Rosier. We will open
a store and sell guns and powder and calico and tea.
(07:35):
Wilt thou come with me, Lucy? Yes, John, it will
not be easy. It is wilderness, and the hard time
lies ahead. I tremble to take thee to all this.
Speaker 5 (07:52):
My home is with you, John. I am not afraid.
Speaker 8 (07:55):
Thou art great and good, Lucy. Indeed, thou art.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
To Louisville. In eighteen hundred and eight, John James Audubon
took his new bride and here with his partner Rosier Audubon,
set up a store. But before very long, the handsome,
eccentric Frenchman was the talk of the newly settled populace.
Speaker 6 (08:20):
I pity that partner of his leaves him to mind
the store while he's off birds nesting.
Speaker 7 (08:26):
Say what you will, but that Ottoman is a crackshot
where he can drive a nail into a tree at
fifty paces eh.
Speaker 6 (08:32):
I sure didn't want to be his wife, sir, leaving
here for days while he's off in the woods.
Speaker 7 (08:37):
Hell, I'll just tell you one good thing about him.
Those pictures of his, Why they're unbelievable, real birds, just
as they are on the wing and alive. I swear
you just want to reach your hand out and touch
them to see if they're alive.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
But one day, Rosier returned from a purchasing trip to
find the store closed. He went directly to Arubon's cabin.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
Well, mister Rosier, won't you come in, I'll get you
some supper.
Speaker 9 (09:11):
I'll not be staying, thank you. I came back to
find the store closed. Your husband, where is he?
Speaker 5 (09:19):
You see, mister Rosier? He shut up shop yesterday morning
when all the men went pigeon hunting, and there's been
no one but women in town ever since.
Speaker 9 (09:27):
Don't women ever buy anything? Madame audubonn Let us be
honest with each other.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
You know, and I know too. Your husband is off
birds nesting. Is that not so?
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Yes? That's so.
Speaker 9 (09:43):
That is what is wrong with John. Too much occupation
with birds. His mind is not on business.
Speaker 5 (09:50):
Mister Rosier. It must be obvious to you now. My
husband is not made for business. So I wouldn't blame
you if you broke.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
With him, mean, dissolve the partnership, just that.
Speaker 5 (10:04):
Frankly, I don't see how you've lasted this long. You
are a clever man, you are industrious, honest. You would
do much better alone.
Speaker 9 (10:13):
Madame Audubon. You are a fine woman. I admire you
and have your interest at heart. Take cold before it
is too late. Save your husband, Make him feel his responsibility,
Make him give up this ridiculous chasing of birds.
Speaker 5 (10:29):
My husband, mister Rosier, is not like other men. He
is a gifted artist, and some day all of us,
perhaps even you, shall be proud to have known him.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
We shall see, Madame, we shall see, Lucie.
Speaker 5 (10:50):
I am home, Yes, John, I see.
Speaker 8 (10:53):
Oh what a trip I had. The woods were filled
with birds, Phoebe's golden winged woodpecker hummingbird.
Speaker 5 (11:01):
John Rosier got home this afternoon, so.
Speaker 8 (11:07):
He caught me out again. What did he say?
Speaker 5 (11:11):
The partnership is dissolved.
Speaker 8 (11:14):
But he cannot not without my consent.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
I gave it, John, The gave it, Lucy. Why it's
best for Rosier, and it's best for you.
Speaker 8 (11:24):
But without the store, how will we live? The children
and thee.
Speaker 5 (11:28):
John listened to me. We need no longer blind ourselves.
You never were meant to be a business man. Since
our marriage, you've tried to do everything except what you
were born to do. You are an artist. You have
a gift. Why not make the most of it?
Speaker 8 (11:44):
We cannot live from my art.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
How many bird paintings have you in your folios?
Speaker 8 (11:49):
Oh, I do not know exactly hundreds?
Speaker 5 (11:52):
And what do you plan to do with them? These
hundreds of pictures, carry them about from one log cabin
to another, hidden away, never seen by anyone.
Speaker 8 (12:01):
No, Lucy, No, My dream is some day to publish
these pictures, to publish them life size, that others might
see these birds as I see them, live, free, soaring.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
Now is the time, John, The time has.
Speaker 8 (12:16):
Come now when I have lost everything. Publication means money,
it means you're a England That's where the best engravers are.
Speaker 5 (12:26):
The artist, then you must go to England.
Speaker 8 (12:29):
That will mean separation from thee from the children.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Ah.
Speaker 8 (12:33):
Besides, who wants to look at bird pictures? Who has
the money to buy them? Sometimes I wish I had
never seen a bird, Never come to this forsaken country.
Speaker 5 (12:43):
John, You must listen to me. I believe in your work.
You must not lose faith. You have the gift of seeing,
of making nature come alive, and all people should share
this joy with you. Out Here you are hiding your talents.
But once you go to England, once the science and
learned men see what you have accomplished. You will be rewarded.
Speaker 8 (13:04):
You will see dost thou really think so, Lucy?
Speaker 5 (13:08):
I really think so.
Speaker 8 (13:11):
Blesslie Lucy for having faith in me.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
In eighteen twenty three, Audubon sailed for England. He was
ready for the world. In his swelling portfolio. His paintings
were not merely art, they were nature. He insisted on
drawing each bird life size, and they were scientifically accurate
to what he saw. And he saw everything, how every
feather lay, and how the light struck everyone. Audubon had
(13:42):
captured many birds new to science. After a week in Liverpool,
he discovered that Lucy was right. The cultural world of
England marbled at Audubon's birds.
Speaker 7 (13:52):
Good, gracious men, this drawing of the rattle sneaker attacking
the mockingbirds in their nest. I've never seen anything like it.
This great footed hawk, superb, magnificent, mister Audubon.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
The people of the world may not know who you are,
but depend on me, sir, they shall know and know
soon Ademan had triumphed.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
It took a full twelve years to finally engrave the
Birds of America series, which today are priceless heirlooms.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
The character of this work.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
It's commanding beauty, its surprising accuracy mark these books as
one of the most remarkable undertakings in the whole history
of literature and science. It will remain for centuries a
shining example of the triumph of human endeavor and of
the spirit and will.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
Of a man.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Indeed, a lasting inspiring adventure in research, and that's today's
in research. Produced in cooperation with the Westinghouse Research Laboratories,
(15:10):
these programs are broadcast to Armed Forces personnel overseas through
the facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Join us
again next week well, another transcribed story of science on
adventures in research.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Welcome Back. Autubond's Birds of America is a work that
had a manse influence on the development of natural science
and our understanding of birds anatomy. It also represents a
magnificent achievement in art. There are only one hundred and
(15:59):
twenty original copies in existence. Those institutions which own copies
put them on display, and those in private collections are
highly priced. A complete set sold at Southerbes for more
than seven million pounds in twenty ten, and according to
(16:22):
the economist that when you adjust for inflation, five of
the ten highest prices ever paid for books or for
copies of The Birds of America. However you slice that
Audubon's masterpiece had a major impact on the world, and
Adventures and Research did a great job, as always in
(16:46):
capturing that works humble origins. It's time for me to
close up the Old snack Wagon, but don't worry. We'll
be back with another serving of old time radio goodness
before you know it. If you want to enjoy some
of them our longer form podcast, you can feast away
at my website at Great Detectives dot net. Your emails
(17:06):
are also welcome at Adam at Snackwagon dot net.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
The Old Time Radio Snackwagon comes to you from Boise, Idaho.
Your host is Adam Graham. Sound production is by Rind's
Media LLC. You can listen to past episodes of the
Old Time Radio Snackwagon, as well as connect on social
media at our website at snackwagon dot net. Email suggestions
(17:31):
for episodes to Adam at snackwagon dot net. This has
been the Old Time Radio Snackwagon.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Until next time. Goodbye,
Pardon me, are you Adam Graham?
Speaker 2 (00:03):
The very same? And this is my old time radio
snack wagon.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Welcome to the Old Time Radio snack Wagon, where we
serve up a bite sized portion of old time radio.
And now here's your snack wagon host Adam Graham.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
This week we're serving up another episode of Adventures and Research. Now,
this is a series that is known for its focus
on scientific research. But if there's one clear message from
the series, it's that research that advances human understanding can
take on many forms. And today's story is of a
(00:50):
man whose efforts combined art and science. Here from May nineteenth,
nineteen fifty three is Heart in.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
The Skies.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Adventures in Research. Birds suit the fancy of all mankind.
What they feel they can voice as man tries to,
They court and nest, They battle with the elements. They
are torn by a love of home and a passion
for far places. Only with birds does man share so
(01:32):
much emotion. And no one did more to further their
appreciation than an American naturalist and painter who can truly
be said to have had his Heart in the Skies.
This is Paul Shannon bringing you another transcribed story of science,
produced as a public Service in cooperation with the Westinghouse
(01:55):
Research Laboratories, and today bringing you the story of John
James Otto, whose love for birds inspired one of the
greatest creative efforts in all scientific literature, Birds of America.
In seventeen ninety three, in the old city of not, France,
(02:17):
a peasant came to the kitchen door of Naval Captain Audubon.
Speaker 5 (02:21):
Eh, and your body to home? Cook, cook?
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Coming? Coming? Oh? Well?
Speaker 6 (02:28):
Ana?
Speaker 4 (02:29):
The birds?
Speaker 6 (02:30):
Never?
Speaker 4 (02:31):
What have you there? Dangling on the hook?
Speaker 7 (02:34):
Six fine thrushes caught only one hour ago in the forest.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Not today?
Speaker 6 (02:39):
Right now, Madame Audubon has roast for the table.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
Whost It is not everyday one can eat wood.
Speaker 6 (02:47):
Rush six tiny birds for a family of four. Ah,
there's not enough meat there to fill young Master Audubon's tooth.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Oh here he comes now, I will ask.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Him good morning, cook, and you.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
In, young Matstad.
Speaker 6 (03:01):
If you had a choice for dinner, would you prefer
joint hosts or these wood thrush on raynoldshok.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
Wood threshers, song birds? Why have you killed them? Reynard
to shell for food?
Speaker 8 (03:14):
What else?
Speaker 5 (03:15):
I would not eat a bird that sings? Never?
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Tail's your answering? No?
Speaker 8 (03:21):
Then I bid you good day.
Speaker 5 (03:22):
Wait what will you do with these birds? If no
one buys them? Then I put them.
Speaker 8 (03:29):
In the park.
Speaker 5 (03:30):
I have some coppers sell them to me.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Little Jean Jacques got a bond gazed down at the
spotted birds in his hand. It was pleasant to hold them,
to look at them so close, but he had no
way to keep them, so he went to his father
for advice.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
Uh, Juan, what have you there?
Speaker 5 (03:53):
Wood thrushes? I bought them from Raynard?
Speaker 4 (03:57):
And what do you intend to do with them?
Speaker 5 (03:59):
I do no. That is why I've come to you.
I should like to keep one.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
At least, Why do you wish to keep it?
Speaker 5 (04:08):
Because I can never get close enough to them in
the trees, and if I have to throw them away,
I'll not have any birds to look at anymore.
Speaker 9 (04:19):
So that's your problem, is it? Come here, my boy?
You see this book. It contains a picture of a
wood thrush. You can always come to my study and
look at this.
Speaker 5 (04:32):
But father, it is not the same. It won't be
the bird as I see it.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
And tell me how do you see it?
Speaker 5 (04:42):
This morning? This bird was alive, alive and singing. This
picture in a book is as lifeless.
Speaker 9 (04:53):
Well, my son, I am afraid what you are searching
for you will not find Indian books.
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Then I will draw my own birds.
Speaker 9 (05:04):
An ambitious undertaking, my son, But if it makes you happy,
I see no harm in it.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Thus began the inspiration that ultimately led to Ottubon's now
famous Birds of America. Even in childhood, Drdobon was a
scientist to study directly from nature, and he drew birds
as no man before or since has ever seen these
feathered creatures. Years past, Odubon was eighteen, the father made
(05:38):
a sudden decision his son should go to America to
manage the family's interest at Mill Grove in Pennsylvania. And
John James Otdubon, as he now called himself, was no
sooner settled in America than he fell in love with
an English girl, Lucy Bakewell.
Speaker 6 (05:54):
Lucy, have you completely lost your senses? I forbid it,
I forbid you to see this frenchman. He comes here
with his fancy clothes and sings and dances and plays
the violin, and that insufferable way of speaking English, d
and thou.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
That's because John was taught our language by Quakers.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
What in the world do you see in the fellow.
Speaker 6 (06:14):
He's never done an honest day's work, neglected his father's
lead mind to go running off into the woods or
hiding in the rushes down by the creek to watch
the birds. Now, Lucy, is that the sort of wife
you want to be? Playing second fiddle to a lot
of birds, Lucy, Lucy, that's John.
Speaker 8 (06:32):
Now then you must excuse me, Lucy. Yes, John, I
have just come from the forest. I have brought the
a gift, A gift for me. A warbler, Lucy, a
chestnut sided warbler. Has the ever seen a finer bird?
Speaker 5 (06:48):
It? It's beautiful, John.
Speaker 8 (06:51):
This warbler I have drawn on my paper, Lucy. He
will live forever. This bird will never die.
Speaker 5 (06:59):
If I would yell, John, I'd have a bitter time
of it. For every bird's my rival, ah, not.
Speaker 8 (07:05):
Thy rival, Lucy. Each bird speaks of thee.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
What do they say, John.
Speaker 8 (07:12):
That Jean Jacques Audaubon loves thee and he wants thee
to go to Louisville with him as his wife, to Louisville. Yes,
the French colony has gathered in Louisville, and I am
going into business there with Ferdinand Rosier. We will open
a store and sell guns and powder and calico and tea.
(07:35):
Wilt thou come with me, Lucy? Yes, John, it will
not be easy. It is wilderness, and the hard time
lies ahead. I tremble to take thee to all this.
Speaker 5 (07:52):
My home is with you, John. I am not afraid.
Speaker 8 (07:55):
Thou art great and good, Lucy. Indeed, thou art.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
To Louisville. In eighteen hundred and eight, John James Audubon
took his new bride and here with his partner Rosier Audubon,
set up a store. But before very long, the handsome,
eccentric Frenchman was the talk of the newly settled populace.
Speaker 6 (08:20):
I pity that partner of his leaves him to mind
the store while he's off birds nesting.
Speaker 7 (08:26):
Say what you will, but that Ottoman is a crackshot
where he can drive a nail into a tree at
fifty paces eh.
Speaker 6 (08:32):
I sure didn't want to be his wife, sir, leaving
here for days while he's off in the woods.
Speaker 7 (08:37):
Hell, I'll just tell you one good thing about him.
Those pictures of his, Why they're unbelievable, real birds, just
as they are on the wing and alive. I swear
you just want to reach your hand out and touch
them to see if they're alive.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
But one day, Rosier returned from a purchasing trip to
find the store closed. He went directly to Arubon's cabin.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
Well, mister Rosier, won't you come in, I'll get you
some supper.
Speaker 9 (09:11):
I'll not be staying, thank you. I came back to
find the store closed. Your husband, where is he?
Speaker 5 (09:19):
You see, mister Rosier? He shut up shop yesterday morning
when all the men went pigeon hunting, and there's been
no one but women in town ever since.
Speaker 9 (09:27):
Don't women ever buy anything? Madame audubonn Let us be
honest with each other.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
You know, and I know too. Your husband is off
birds nesting. Is that not so?
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Yes? That's so.
Speaker 9 (09:43):
That is what is wrong with John. Too much occupation
with birds. His mind is not on business.
Speaker 5 (09:50):
Mister Rosier. It must be obvious to you now. My
husband is not made for business. So I wouldn't blame
you if you broke.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
With him, mean, dissolve the partnership, just that.
Speaker 5 (10:04):
Frankly, I don't see how you've lasted this long. You
are a clever man, you are industrious, honest. You would
do much better alone.
Speaker 9 (10:13):
Madame Audubon. You are a fine woman. I admire you
and have your interest at heart. Take cold before it
is too late. Save your husband, Make him feel his responsibility,
Make him give up this ridiculous chasing of birds.
Speaker 5 (10:29):
My husband, mister Rosier, is not like other men. He
is a gifted artist, and some day all of us,
perhaps even you, shall be proud to have known him.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
We shall see, Madame, we shall see, Lucie.
Speaker 5 (10:50):
I am home, Yes, John, I see.
Speaker 8 (10:53):
Oh what a trip I had. The woods were filled
with birds, Phoebe's golden winged woodpecker hummingbird.
Speaker 5 (11:01):
John Rosier got home this afternoon, so.
Speaker 8 (11:07):
He caught me out again. What did he say?
Speaker 5 (11:11):
The partnership is dissolved.
Speaker 8 (11:14):
But he cannot not without my consent.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
I gave it, John, The gave it, Lucy. Why it's
best for Rosier, and it's best for you.
Speaker 8 (11:24):
But without the store, how will we live? The children
and thee.
Speaker 5 (11:28):
John listened to me. We need no longer blind ourselves.
You never were meant to be a business man. Since
our marriage, you've tried to do everything except what you
were born to do. You are an artist. You have
a gift. Why not make the most of it?
Speaker 8 (11:44):
We cannot live from my art.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
How many bird paintings have you in your folios?
Speaker 8 (11:49):
Oh, I do not know exactly hundreds?
Speaker 5 (11:52):
And what do you plan to do with them? These
hundreds of pictures, carry them about from one log cabin
to another, hidden away, never seen by anyone.
Speaker 8 (12:01):
No, Lucy, No, My dream is some day to publish
these pictures, to publish them life size, that others might
see these birds as I see them, live, free, soaring.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
Now is the time, John, The time has.
Speaker 8 (12:16):
Come now when I have lost everything. Publication means money,
it means you're a England That's where the best engravers are.
Speaker 5 (12:26):
The artist, then you must go to England.
Speaker 8 (12:29):
That will mean separation from thee from the children.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Ah.
Speaker 8 (12:33):
Besides, who wants to look at bird pictures? Who has
the money to buy them? Sometimes I wish I had
never seen a bird, Never come to this forsaken country.
Speaker 5 (12:43):
John, You must listen to me. I believe in your work.
You must not lose faith. You have the gift of seeing,
of making nature come alive, and all people should share
this joy with you. Out Here you are hiding your talents.
But once you go to England, once the science and
learned men see what you have accomplished. You will be rewarded.
Speaker 8 (13:04):
You will see dost thou really think so, Lucy?
Speaker 5 (13:08):
I really think so.
Speaker 8 (13:11):
Blesslie Lucy for having faith in me.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
In eighteen twenty three, Audubon sailed for England. He was
ready for the world. In his swelling portfolio. His paintings
were not merely art, they were nature. He insisted on
drawing each bird life size, and they were scientifically accurate
to what he saw. And he saw everything, how every
feather lay, and how the light struck everyone. Audubon had
(13:42):
captured many birds new to science. After a week in Liverpool,
he discovered that Lucy was right. The cultural world of
England marbled at Audubon's birds.
Speaker 7 (13:52):
Good, gracious men, this drawing of the rattle sneaker attacking
the mockingbirds in their nest. I've never seen anything like it.
This great footed hawk, superb, magnificent, mister Audubon.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
The people of the world may not know who you are,
but depend on me, sir, they shall know and know
soon Ademan had triumphed.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
It took a full twelve years to finally engrave the
Birds of America series, which today are priceless heirlooms.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
The character of this work.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
It's commanding beauty, its surprising accuracy mark these books as
one of the most remarkable undertakings in the whole history
of literature and science. It will remain for centuries a
shining example of the triumph of human endeavor and of
the spirit and will.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
Of a man.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Indeed, a lasting inspiring adventure in research, and that's today's
in research. Produced in cooperation with the Westinghouse Research Laboratories,
(15:10):
these programs are broadcast to Armed Forces personnel overseas through
the facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Join us
again next week well, another transcribed story of science on
adventures in research.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Welcome Back. Autubond's Birds of America is a work that
had a manse influence on the development of natural science
and our understanding of birds anatomy. It also represents a
magnificent achievement in art. There are only one hundred and
(15:59):
twenty original copies in existence. Those institutions which own copies
put them on display, and those in private collections are
highly priced. A complete set sold at Southerbes for more
than seven million pounds in twenty ten, and according to
(16:22):
the economist that when you adjust for inflation, five of
the ten highest prices ever paid for books or for
copies of The Birds of America. However you slice that
Audubon's masterpiece had a major impact on the world, and
Adventures and Research did a great job, as always in
(16:46):
capturing that works humble origins. It's time for me to
close up the Old snack Wagon, but don't worry. We'll
be back with another serving of old time radio goodness
before you know it. If you want to enjoy some
of them our longer form podcast, you can feast away
at my website at Great Detectives dot net. Your emails
(17:06):
are also welcome at Adam at Snackwagon dot net.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
The Old Time Radio Snackwagon comes to you from Boise, Idaho.
Your host is Adam Graham. Sound production is by Rind's
Media LLC. You can listen to past episodes of the
Old Time Radio Snackwagon, as well as connect on social
media at our website at snackwagon dot net. Email suggestions
(17:31):
for episodes to Adam at snackwagon dot net. This has
been the Old Time Radio Snackwagon.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Until next time. Goodbye,
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