William Beebe Paintings & Artwork for Sale | William Beebe Art Value Price Guide

May. 03, 2025
Charles William Beebe Ecologist Lecture Contract
Est: $150 - $200
Charles William Beebe (July 29, 1877 June 4, 1962) was an American naturalist, ornithologist, marine biologist, entomologist, explorer, and author. He is remembered for the numerous expeditions he conducted for the New York Zoological Society, such as the Arcturus mission, his deep dives in the Bathysphere, and his prolific scientific writing for academic and popular audiences. Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, Beebe left college before obtaining a degree to work at the then newly opened New York Zoological Park, where he was given the duty of caring for the zoo's birds. He quickly distinguished himself in his work for the zoo, first with his skill in designing habitats for its bird population, and soon also with a series of research expeditions of increasing length, including an expedition around the world to document the world's pheasants. These expeditions formed the basis for a large quantity of writing for both popular and academic audiences, including an account of his pheasant expedition titled A Monograph of the Pheasants and published in four volumes from 1918 to 1922. In recognition of the research conducted on his expeditions, he was granted honorary doctorates from Tufts and Colgate University. During the course of his expeditions, Beebe gradually developed an interest in marine biology, ultimately leading to his 1930s dives in the Bathysphere, along with its inventor, Otis Barton, off the coast of Bermuda. This was the first time a biologist observed deep-sea animals in their native environment and set several successive records for the deepest dive ever performed by a human, the deepest of which stood until it was broken by Barton 15 years later. Following his Bathysphere dives, Beebe returned to the tropics and began to focus his study on the behavior of insects. In 1949, he founded a tropical research station in Trinidad and Tobago which he named Simla, and which remains in operation as part of the Asa Wright Nature Centre. Beebe's research at Simla continued until his death from pneumonia in 1962 at the age of 84. William Beebe is regarded as one of the founders of the field of ecology, as well as one of the early 20th century's major advocates of conservation. He is also remembered for several theories he proposed about avian evolution which are now regarded as having been ahead of their time, particularly his 1915 hypothesis that the evolution of bird flight passed through a four-winged or "Tetrapteryx" stage, which has been supported by the 2003 discovery of Microraptor gui.
Davis Brothers Auction
Jun. 23, 2024
William Beebe, A Monograph of Pheasants, Four Volumes
Est: $800 - $1,200
A Monograph of the Pheasants, by William Beebe, 1918-22, from an edition of 600, this number 502. In four cloth bound volumes. Published under the auspices of the New York Zoological Society by Witherby and Co. London. Dimensions: each volume is 16 1/2" x 12". Provenance: Property from a Bucks County, Pennsylvania Estate.
Locati LLC
Mar. 07, 2024
World.- Beebe (William), G. Inness Hartley & Paul G. Howes. Tropical Wilfe Life in British Guiana, vol. 1 only (all published) first edition, inscribed by author, New York, 1917; and others by th...
Est: £200 - £300
World.- Beebe (William), G. Inness Hartley & Paul G. Howes. Tropical Wild Life in British Guiana, vol 1. only (all published), first edition, inscribed by author, half-title, frontispiece, illustrations, faint spotting to blanks at beginning and end, original cloth, a little rubbed, slight bumping to corners and extremities, New York, January 1917; The Arcturus Adventure, first edition, presentation copy from author with inscription in another hand, colour frontispiece and 7 colour plates, captioned tissue-guards, plates, title in red and black, slight chipping to contents ff., original cloth, slight bumping to corners and extremities, New York & London, G. P. Putnam's, 1926; Galapagos: World's End, second issue, half-title, colour frontispiece, original cloth, slight bumping to corners and extremities, dust-jacket, slight chipping and minor loss to extremities, light spotting to verso, New York & London, March 1924; and 4 others by the same, 8vo & 4to (7).
Forum Auctions - UK
Mar. 30, 2023
Beebe (William) A Monograph of the Pheasants, 4 vol., first edition, one of 600 copies, 1918.
Est: £1,200 - £1,800
Beebe (William) A Monograph of the Pheasants, 4 vol., first edition, number 39 of 600 copies, 90 colour plates by Thorburn, Grønvold, Lodge, Fuertes and others, 88 photogravure plates, 20 maps, captioned tissue guards, very occasional foxing but a very good copy, original cloth, t.e.g., slightly rubbed (mainly vol.1), [Anker 31; Nissen IVB 84], large 4to, 1918-22.
Forum Auctions - UK
Mar. 23, 2023
Birds.- Beebe (William) Pheasants: Their Lives and Homes, 2 vol., first edition, New York, 1926 & others on birds (13)
Est: £150 - £200
Birds.- Beebe (William) Pheasants: Their Lives and Homes, 2 vol., first edition, New York, 1926; The Edge of the Jungle, first edition, 1922 § Phillips (John C.) A Natural History of Ducks, 4 vol. in 2, facsimile reprint, New York, 1986 § Cade (Tom J.) The Falcons of the World...with Paintings by R.David Digby, 1982, plates and illustrations, some colour, original cloth or boards, the first rubbed and marked, the last two with dust-jackets; and 8 others on birds, 4to & 8vo (13)
Forum Auctions - UK
Sep. 21, 2022
William R. Beebe (born 1956) Timberwind & Heritage 18 x 36 in. (45.7 x 91.5 cm) framed 26 1/2 x 44 1/2 in.
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
William R. Beebe (born 1956) Timberwind & Heritage signed and dated 'William R. Beebe/1997' (lower right) and titled on a presentation plaque oil on canvas 18 x 36 in. (45.7 x 91.5 cm) framed 26 1/2 x 44 1/2 in. For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website
Bonhams
Sep. 21, 2022
William R. Beebe (born 1956) Stephen Taber 18 x 36 in. (46.0 x 91.5 cm) framed 26 1/2 x 44 1/2 in.
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
William R. Beebe (born 1956) Stephen Taber signed and dated '© William R. Beebe 1998' (lower right) and titled on a presentation plaque oil on canvas 18 x 36 in. (46.0 x 91.5 cm) framed 26 1/2 x 44 1/2 in. For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website
Bonhams
Sep. 21, 2022
William R. Beebe (born 1956) Victory Chimes 20 x 30 in. (50.8 x 76.2 cm) framed 28 1/2 x 38 1/2 in.
Est: $700 - $900
William R. Beebe (born 1956) Victory Chimes signed and dated '© William R. Beebe 1998' (lower right) and titled on a presentation plaque oil on board 20 x 30 in. (50.8 x 76.2 cm) framed 28 1/2 x 38 1/2 in. For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website
Bonhams
May. 24, 2021
William Beebe oil on canvas Maine Lighthouse
Est: $400 - $700
William Beebe (American 20th/21st), oil on canvas Maine Lighthouse, signed lower right, 30" x 24".
Pook & Pook Inc.
Dec. 26, 2020
Beebe - Group of 20 Bird Prints
Est: $300 - $600
This colorful photogravure or lithograph is from William Charles Beebe’s A Monograph of the Pheasants . This first edition was limited to only 600 copies. The work was published in London for the New York Zoological Society by Witherby and Co. between 1918 and 1927. The color plates are after A. Thorburn, G.E. Lodge, H. Gronvold, L.A. Fuertes, Chas. R. Knight, H. Jones, and E. Megargee. The work is “notable not only for its beauty and the wealth of information it contains, but also for the unusual grace of its prose” (Ellis).
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
Oct. 08, 2020
BEEBE, Charles William (1877-1962). A Monograph of the Pheasants. London: Witherby & Co., 1918-1922.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
BEEBE, Charles William (1877-1962). A Monograph of the Pheasants. London: Witherby & Co., 1918-1922. 4 volumes, folio (401 x 297 mm). Half-title, titles printed in red and black, 90 color lithographed or collotype plates, 88 photogravures, and 20 distribution maps. (Occasional spotting, some offsetting.) Publisher's gilt-lettered maroon cloth, top edges gilt, others uncut (recased, a few repairs). FIRST EDITION, LIMITED ISSUE, number 477 of 600. One of the greatest ornithological works of the 20th century with plates after works by George Edward Lodge (42), Henrik Gronvold (15), H. Jones (11), C.R. Knight (8), Archibald Thornburn (8), L.A. Fuertes (5), and E. Megargee (1) and photogravures by Beebe and others (mostly vol. III).
Hindman
Mar. 04, 2020
William Beebe. Galapagos.
Est: $50 - $100
World's End. NY 1925 3/4 Leather.
Weiss Auctions
Oct. 05, 2019
Beebe - Bornean Crested Fireback. 38
Est: $75 - $200
This colorful photogravure or lithograph is from William Charles Beebe's A Monograph of the Pheasants. This first edition was limited to only 600 copies. The work was published in London for the New York Zoological Society by Witherby and Co. between 1918 and 1927. The color plates are after A. Thorburn, G.E. Lodge, H. Gronvold, L.A. Fuertes, Chas. R. Knight, H. Jones, and E. Megargee. The work is "notable not only for its beauty and the wealth of information it contains, but also for the unusual grace of its prose" (Ellis).
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
Oct. 05, 2019
Beebe - Common Koklass Pheasant. 45
Est: $75 - $200
This colorful photogravure or lithograph is from William Charles Beebe's A Monograph of the Pheasants. This first edition was limited to only 600 copies. The work was published in London for the New York Zoological Society by Witherby and Co. between 1918 and 1927. The color plates are after A. Thorburn, G.E. Lodge, H. Gronvold, L.A. Fuertes, Chas. R. Knight, H. Jones, and E. Megargee. The work is "notable not only for its beauty and the wealth of information it contains, but also for the unusual grace of its prose" (Ellis).
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
Oct. 05, 2019
Beebe - Temminck's Tragopan. 12
Est: $75 - $200
This colorful photogravure or lithograph is from William Charles Beebe's A Monograph of the Pheasants. This first edition was limited to only 600 copies. The work was published in London for the New York Zoological Society by Witherby and Co. between 1918 and 1927. The color plates are after A. Thorburn, G.E. Lodge, H. Gronvold, L.A. Fuertes, Chas. R. Knight, H. Jones, and E. Megargee. The work is "notable not only for its beauty and the wealth of information it contains, but also for the unusual grace of its prose" (Ellis).
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
Oct. 05, 2019
Beebe - Cabot's Tragopan. 13
Est: $75 - $200
This colorful photogravure or lithograph is from William Charles Beebe's A Monograph of the Pheasants. This first edition was limited to only 600 copies. The work was published in London for the New York Zoological Society by Witherby and Co. between 1918 and 1927. The color plates are after A. Thorburn, G.E. Lodge, H. Gronvold, L.A. Fuertes, Chas. R. Knight, H. Jones, and E. Megargee. The work is "notable not only for its beauty and the wealth of information it contains, but also for the unusual grace of its prose" (Ellis).
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
Sep. 28, 2019
Beebe - Himalayan Impeyan Pheasant. 14
Est: $75 - $200
This colorful photogravure or lithograph is from William Charles Beebe's A Monograph of the Pheasants. This first edition was limited to only 600 copies. The work was published in London for the New York Zoological Society by Witherby and Co. between 1918 and 1927. The color plates are after A. Thorburn, G.E. Lodge, H. Gronvold, L.A. Fuertes, Chas. R. Knight, H. Jones, and E. Megargee. The work is "notable not only for its beauty and the wealth of information it contains, but also for the unusual grace of its prose" (Ellis).
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
Sep. 28, 2019
Beebe - Chinese Impeyan Pheasant. 16
Est: $75 - $200
This colorful photogravure or lithograph is from William Charles Beebe's A Monograph of the Pheasants. This first edition was limited to only 600 copies. The work was published in London for the New York Zoological Society by Witherby and Co. between 1918 and 1927. The color plates are after A. Thorburn, G.E. Lodge, H. Gronvold, L.A. Fuertes, Chas. R. Knight, H. Jones, and E. Megargee. The work is "notable not only for its beauty and the wealth of information it contains, but also for the unusual grace of its prose" (Ellis).
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
Sep. 28, 2019
Beebe - Sclater's Impeyan Pheasant. 17
Est: $75 - $200
This colorful photogravure or lithograph is from William Charles Beebe's A Monograph of the Pheasants. This first edition was limited to only 600 copies. The work was published in London for the New York Zoological Society by Witherby and Co. between 1918 and 1927. The color plates are after A. Thorburn, G.E. Lodge, H. Gronvold, L.A. Fuertes, Chas. R. Knight, H. Jones, and E. Megargee. The work is "notable not only for its beauty and the wealth of information it contains, but also for the unusual grace of its prose" (Ellis).
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
Sep. 28, 2019
Beebe - White-crested Kaleege Pheasant. 21
Est: $75 - $200
This colorful photogravure or lithograph is from William Charles Beebe's A Monograph of the Pheasants. This first edition was limited to only 600 copies. The work was published in London for the New York Zoological Society by Witherby and Co. between 1918 and 1927. The color plates are after A. Thorburn, G.E. Lodge, H. Gronvold, L.A. Fuertes, Chas. R. Knight, H. Jones, and E. Megargee. The work is "notable not only for its beauty and the wealth of information it contains, but also for the unusual grace of its prose" (Ellis).
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
Jun. 18, 2019
Beebe, William (American, 1877-1962), oil on board â€œThe Last of the Three Masters (Victory Chimes)â€, 28â€ x 28", framed 35.75" ...
Est: $800 - $1,600
Beebe, William (American, 1877-1962), oil on board â€œThe Last of the Three Masters (Victory Chimes)â€, 28â€ x 28", framed 35.75" x 35.75" O6796
William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals
Jun. 18, 2019
Beebe, William (American, 1877-1962), oil on canvas â€œVinalhaven Harbor, Maine", 1999, 20" x 30", framed 29" x 39" O4881
Est: $800 - $1,600
Beebe, William (American, 1877-1962), oil on canvas â€œVinalhaven Harbor, Maine", 1999, 20" x 30", framed 29" x 39" O4881
William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals
Jun. 18, 2019
Beebe, William (American, 1877-1962), oil on canvas â€œRounding Rockland Lightâ€, 2001, 22" x 30", framed 29.5" x 37.5" O6663
Est: $800 - $1,600
Beebe, William (American, 1877-1962), oil on canvas â€œRounding Rockland Lightâ€, 2001, 22" x 30", framed 29.5" x 37.5" O6663
William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals
May. 14, 2019
Beebe, William (American, 1877-1962), oil on canvas “Bay Road”, image 21" x 29", Framed 29" x 37", O1611
Est: $800 - $1,600
Beebe, William (American, 1877-1962), oil on canvas 'Bay Road', image 21" x 29", Framed 29" x 37", O1611
William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals
May. 14, 2019
Beebe, William (American, 1877-1962), oil on canvas “Boothbay Harbor”, 1986, image 20” x 29", framed 30" x 40", O955
Est: $800 - $1,600
Beebe, William (American, 1877-1962), oil on canvas 'Boothbay Harbor', 1986, image 20' x 29", framed 30" x 40", O955
William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals
Jun. 19, 2018
Beebe, Charles William
Est: £1,500 - £2,000
Beebe, Charles William A Monograph of the Pheasants. London: Published under the Auspices of the New York Zoological Society, by H.F. & G. Witherby, 1918-22. First edition, 4 volumes, folio, number 522 of 600 copies, 90 colour plates by Archibald Thorburn, H. Grönvold, G.E. Lodge & others, 87 photogravures, 20 maps, original maroon/red cloth gilt, small dampstain affecting extreme lower margin of some plates and text of volume 1, light foxing on a small number of plates, very slight discolouration from tissue guards (as usual), very slight wear to spine ends, bookplates of Nelson Doubleday
Lyon & Turnbull
May. 26, 2018
William BEEBE
Est: €500 - €1,000
William BEEBE A Monograph of the Pheasants London : Witherby for the New York Zoological Society,1918-22. 4 volumes,folio (409 x 295 mm). Toile bordeaux éditeur Première édition tirée à 600 exemplaires. 90 lithographies en couleurs d’après A. Thorburn,G. E. Lodge,H. Grönvold,L. A. Fuertes,C. R. Knight,H. Jones,and E. Megargee,88 photogravures (many with 2 images) from photographs by Beebe and others,20 cartes imprimées en rouge et noir. Provenance : Bibliothèque Marcel JEANSON - Ex-libris Note : Né à la fin du XIXe, industriel, Marcel Jeanson s'est passionné pour les livres à planches et sa bibliothèque rassemblée sur une vingtaine d'années était l'une des plus belles du monde. Elle contenait, principalement, des livres de chasse et d'ornithologie. La première vente, à Monaco (Sotheby’s) en 1987 avait été un événement mondial. La vente du mercredi, 10 octobre 2001, fut indéniablement un nouveau succès,
Carvajal SVV
Aug. 25, 2017
WILLIAM R. BEEBE (CONTEMPORARY MAINE)
Est: $3,000 - $4,000
WILLIAM R. BEEBE (CONTEMPORARY MAINE) "Timberwind and Heritage Schooners", oil on canvas, signed lower right and dated 1997, in gold molded frame with linen liner, OS: 33" x 45", SS: 23 1/2" x 35 1/2". Fine condition. From the former MBNA Corporate Collection.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Aug. 30, 2015
WILLIAM R. BEEBE (Contemporary Maine) - "Monhegan Island", oil on canvas, signed lower right and dated 1993, in gold molded frame with linen liner, OS: 28" x 38", SS: 19 1/4" x 29 1/4". Fine condition. From the former...
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
WILLIAM R. BEEBE (Contemporary Maine) - "Monhegan Island", oil on canvas, signed lower right and dated 1993, in gold molded frame with linen liner, OS: 28" x 38", SS: 19 1/4" x 29 1/4". Fine condition. From the former MBNA Corporate Collection.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Feb. 16, 2013
William R. Beebe, (American, b. 1956), Untitled, 1995, Oil on Canvas, 23 1/2" x 17 1/2", frame: 32 3/4" x 27"
Est: $400 - $800
William R. Beebe (American, b. 1956) Untitled, 1995 Oil on Canvas Tour boat passing by a black and white lighthouse. Signed and dated in red on the lower right corner by the artist. 23 1/2" x 17 1/2", frame: 32 3/4" x 27"
Quinn's Auction Galleries Central Virginia
Nov. 13, 2012
BEEBE (WILLIAM)
Est: £1,500 - £2,000
A Monograph of the Pheasants, 4 vol., FIRST EDITION, NUMBER 179 OF 600 COPIES, half-titles, 90 chromolithographed or collotype plates after Thorburn, G.E. Lodge, H. Grönvold, L.A. Fuertes, C.R. Knight, H. Jones and E. Megargee, 88 photogravure plates from photographs by Beebe and others, all with captioned tissue guards, 20 maps, publisher's maroon buckram, t.e.g. [Nissen IVB 84; Anker 31; Mengel 203, 'perhaps the greatest ornithological work of the present century'; Zimmer I, 49], folio, Witherby & Co., for the New York Zoological Society, 1918-1922
Bonhams
Jun. 12, 2012
BEEBE (WILLIAM)
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
A Monograph of the Pheasants, 4 vol., FIRST EDITION, NUMBER 179 OF 600 COPIES, half-titles, 90 chromolithographed or collotype plates after Thorburn, G.E. Lodge, H. Grönvold, L.A. Fuertes, C.R. Knight, H. Jones and E. Megargee, 88 photogravure plates from photographs by Beebe and others, all with captioned tissue guards, 20 maps, publisher's maroon buckram, t.e.g. [Nissen IVB 84; Anker 31; Mengel 203, 'perhaps the greatest ornithological work of the present century'; Zimmer I, 49], folio, Witherby & Co., for the New York Zoological Society, 1918-1922
Bonhams
May. 09, 2012
WILLIAM BEEBE
Est: $75 - $100
WILLIAM BEEBE (1877-1962) American naturalist and explorer who headed expeditions to Nova Scotia, Mexico, South America, and so forth, for the New York Zoological Society. His signature on a small card in blue ink, beside which is a caricature of a man's head with large ears - likely a humorous self-portrait. Slight smearing to signature, otherwise very good condition. Ex: Walter R. Benjamin, with original receipt.
Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
May. 09, 2012
WILLIAM BEEBE
Est: $75 - $100
WILLIAM BEEBE (1877-1962) American naturalist and explorer who headed expeditions to Nova Scotia, Mexico, South America, and so forth, for the New York Zoological Society. A.L.S. on New York Zoological Society letterhead, 1p. 8vo., March 29, 1950, to a gentleman, in part: "...Your letter was forwarded to me in the Trinidad jungle and as I read it, three hummingbirds flew past my head. I wish you could see the flowering trees...". Fine.
Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
Oct. 05, 2007
Beebe, William
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
A Monograph of the Pheasants. London: Witherby for the New York Zoological Society, 1918-22 4 volumes, folio (16 x 11 5/8 in.; 409 x 295 mm). 90 fine color lithographed or collotype plates after A. Thorburn, G. E. Lodge, H. Grönvold, L. A. Fuertes, C. R. Knight, H. Jones, and E. Megargee, 88 photogravure plates (many with 2 images) from photographs by Beebe and others, 20 distribution maps printed in red and black, plates and photogravures with captioned tissue-guards, title-pages in red and black, half-titles. Publisher's maroon cloth gilt; volume 1 with some wear and rubbing at extremities and with tear on spine, other volumes with minimal wear.
Sotheby's
Oct. 15, 2006
BEEBE, WILLIAM
Est: $100 - $150
1323. WILLIAM BEEBE (1877-1962) American naturalist and explorer who headed scientific expeditions around the world. Signed copy of Galapagos: World's End, by William Beebe, G.P. Putnam's Sons, NY; 1924. Signed and inscribed on the half-title page, with original dustcover, lightly chipped; with nine full color plates, very good. $100-150
Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
Jul. 21, 2004
BEEBE William
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
BEEBE William A monograph of the pheasants … 1st edition, 4 volumes, 90 chromolithographed plates, 88 photogravure plates by Thorburn, Gronwold, Lodge etc., 20 maps, plate 15 bound at the end of vol. 4, original cloth, t.e.g., small tear in the spine of vol. 1, lower cover of vol. 2 water stained, folio, London: Witherby, 1918-22 [4] Note: Nissen IVB 267. No 35 of 600 copies One of the last books to use the process of chromolithography.
Lyon & Turnbull