8. A Flora of North America, another spectacular work from William P. C. Barton. This is a three volume set which followed Barton's earlier medical botany. Published from 1820-1824, it includes 106 hand-colored plates from Barton and others. $17,500.

9. The Birds of America... by John James Audubon. This is the first octavo edition of Audubon's classic, published in seven volumes from 1839-1844. It contains 500 hand-colored lithographed plates. The octavo edition, which followed the fantastically expensive folio edition, was sufficiently affordable to be within reach of more than just the wealthiest readers. It made Audubon's career a success. $120,000.

The William Reese Company may be reached at 203-789-8081 or amorder@reeseco.com. Their website is found at www.reeseco.com.