For the first time, "Natural Histories" allows readers a privileged glimpse of seldom seen, fully illustrated scientific tomes from the "American Museum of Natural History's Rare Book Collection" - a collection of over 450,000 volumes. Forty essays from the museum's top experts in a variety of natural science disciplines, from anthropology to zoology, accompany and discuss each rare tome's unique qualities and scientific contribution. Packaged with extraordinary prints suitable for framing and facsimile items inside bound-in envelopes, this deluxe edition will fascinate both natural science and art lovers alike.