Smithsonian Baseball: Inside the World’s Finest Private Collections, by Stephen Wong (Collins, 2005, $29.95). Revealing stories, lavish photography and essays highlight 21 of the best private collections of baseball memorabilia in existence. From a 1848 copy of the first written rules of the game to Mark McGwire’s 1998 record-shattering home-run ball, this book spans baseball’s history.

The Art of Botanical Painting, by Margaret Stevens (Collins, 2005, $29.95). A practical teaching guide to the art of botanical illustration, from exotic and garden flowers and plants to fruits and vegetables. Published in association with the Society of Botanical Artists.

Collins Atlas of the Night Sky, by Storm Dunlop (Collins, 2005, $29.95). A large-format atlas containing specially commissioned charts of the 88 constellations, maps of the moon and planetary information covering the next five years.

War in the Air, 1914-1945, by Williamson Murray (Collins, 2005, $29.95). This book is an illustrated account of the conditions under which World War I and World War II pilots fought, following the rise of air warfare from its beginnings to the Enola Gay’s  dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

Explorers: A Photographic History of Exploration, by Richard Sale (Collins, 2005, $24.95). A complete chronological and geographical overview of exploration since the late 19th century. This illustrated book celebrates the men and women who have pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge of the world’s least-known places.

New Orleans Street Singer (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2005, $15). This 1959 acoustic blues album by Snooks Eaglin showcases his idiosyncratic and passionate singing and guitar playing. On CD for the first time, with seven previously unreleased tracks.

Dark Holler: Old Love Songs and Ballads (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2005, $15). A remarkable collection of traditional North Carolina singing featuring Dillard Chandler and his peers.

Rolas de Aztlán: Songs of the Chicano Movement (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2005, $15). A compilation of powerful songs recorded between 1965 and 1999 that range from farm-worker strike songs to civil rights anthems.

Hobart Smith, In Sacred Trust: The 1963 Fleming Brown Tapes (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2005, $15). Mountain music virtuoso Hobart Smith (1897-1965) sings and plays banjo, fiddle, guitar and piano  in this album of deeply personal recordings. An 80-page booklet with historical photos and lyrics is included.

Books can be ordered through online book vendors. They also can be purchased in many bookstores nationwide.

Recordings can be ordered from Smithsonian Folkways Mail Order, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings Dept. 0607, Washington, D.C. 20073-0607. To order by phone, call (800) 410-9815 or (202) 275-1143.