To celebrate their 125th anniversary, National Geographic have teamed up with Taschen to release a special edition three-volume photo book collection and we have a sneak peak at some of these rare pictures from their photos library.

1. New York, 1957

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 1

Photo by B. Anthony Stewart

2. Canada, 2011

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 2

Photo by Paul Nicklen

3. New Mexico, 1939

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 3

Photo by Luis Marden

4. California, 1965

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 4

Photo by B. Anthony Stewart

5. Mexico, date uncertain

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 5

Photo by Steve Winter

6. Ecuador, 2008

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 6

Photo by Frans Lanting

7. Antarctica, 2012

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 7

Photo by Paul Nicklen

8. Arizona, 2005

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 8

Photo by John Burcham

9. East Germany, 1973

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 9

Photo by Gordan Gahan

10. South Africa, 1995

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 10

Photo by Chris Johns

11. India, 1948

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 11

Photo by Volkmar K. Wentzel

12. Iraq, 1984

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 12

Photo by Steve McCurry

13. Lebanon, 1957

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 13

Photo by Thomas J. Abercrombie

14. India, 1976

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 14

Photo by James L. Stanfield

15. Sri Lanka, 1995

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 15

Photo by Steve McCurry

16. Hong Kong, 1931

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 16

Photo by W. Robert Moore

17. Australia, 1977

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 17

Photo by Paul A. Zahl

18. Papua New Guinea, 2000

Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library 18

Photo by Jodi Cobb

Which of these Rare And Amazing Pictures From the National Geographic Photos Library do you think is the most amazing?

For five generations, National Geographic magazine has dazzled and educated people with its incredible photographs, illustrations, and gripping stories from the four corners of the earth. Combining travel, wildlife, science, history, culture, and conservation, the National Geographic Society’s trailblazing magazine has inspired millions of readers to explore and take an interest in the planet we inhabit.

Now, in celebration of its 125th anniversary, National Geographic has given TASCHEN complete access to its photos library to distill the journey of a lifetime into three prodigious volumes featuring photographs—many unpublished—almost as rich, deep, and colorful as the world itself.