In 1832, naturalist and bird artist Josiah Rook sets out across America, writing each month to Clara Vandegrift.
Each letter arrives with a fine art bird print and a small paper keepsake from the journey - created to be kept.
12 letters. 12 months. One story.
A Handwritten Letter
Two sides in his hand, with sketches down the margins, route references and whatever the weather was doing when he wrote it.
A Fine Art Bird Print
A museum-quality print of a bird from Josiah’s travels, in the Audubon tradition, printed edge to edge on archival fine art paper.
A Poem Postcard
An original poem by Josiah, printed on vintage-style postcard stock - perfect for keeping, or for sending on.
Field Notes & Paper Ephemera
A field note card and occasional paper keepsakes from his travels - maps, clippings, labels, or journal fragments.
A Monthly Surprise
A unique paper keepsake that changes every month. It is a surprise - never revealed in advance.
Josiah Rook has a dream: to publish the greatest book of American birds ever made - by subscription, not by patronage. His work has always gone out under other men’s names.
Clara Vandegrift, the woman he is courting, runs the home office from Bordentown: the ledger, the printers, the paper samples, the plates promised against the plates finished. And, unknown to her father, she begins quietly building the list of subscribers who believe in him.
Twelve letters. One impossible condition. And the distance between a man’s ambition and a life worth coming home to.
Twelve letters over twelve months,with an ending that lands.
Delivered Monthly
Posted the first Tuesday, beautifully packaged, straight to your door.
Inspired by History
Set in 1832, alongside the real events and figures of the Audubon era.
Made to be Kept
Archival stock, flat in a rigid mailer. Every piece is made to last.
