Hannah and I went exploring the other day. We landed in Corea, Maine – the spot of one of Maine’s most picturesque Harbors. There’s a little art gallery called Chapter Two that I’d never been to but had heard about. This trip was my first visit, and we enjoyed browsing the art, gifts, and used books.

Then we discovered something truly wonderful. There is a separate little building off to the side that houses stacks and stacks of used books. The shop is unmanned. Every book is a dollar, and you pay via the honor system by depositing your money and making change in a little wooden chest.

Birds of America is my one dollar find. The original copyright is 1917 by The University Society, Inc. The copyright on this version is 1936 by Double Day & Company, Inc.

It has 289 pages and contains 106 color plates in full color by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, courtesy of the New York State Museum. Here are a few of my favorites.

My first thought when I paid my dollar is that I’ll remove some of my favorite color plate images and frame them. Now, as I think about it, I feel a bit guilty about destroying the book. But it was only a dollar. For now, it’s on the coffee table to enjoy and ponder the dilemma.