Next month, the prestigious RM Sotheby’s auction->ke2845 house will set up shop amongst the gleaming yachts and flashy casinos of Monte Carlo for its 2016 Monaco event. This biennial orgy of money and mirror-polished metal regularly attracts throngs of well-heeled collectors, who arrive to browse and bid on an assembly of top-dollar automobiles while enjoying a historic motorsports atmosphere. To help spark the flames of enthusiasm, RM Sotheby’s has released a digital catalogue documenting the lots slated to hit the block, which is available for browsing online here. The catalogue is also available for purchase as a high-quality print here.

While a bit pricey (70 euros, or $78.56 at current exchange rates), the catalogue makes for a fantastic (and unique) gift for that car lover in your life, with stunning photography, specs, history, and individual background on each of the automobiles scheduled to appear in Monaco. Standouts include the 1951 Ferrari 340 America Barchetta (Lot 232, page 98), 2008 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Le Mans Prototype (Lot 251, page 170), 1968 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spider (Lot 254, page 186), and 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution (Lot 261, page 218).

At the last RM Sotheby’s Monaco auction in 2014, total sales reached 41 million euros ($46 million at current conversion rates, 04/22/2106), and this year’s event is expected to match (if not exceed) that figure. The event will be held at Le Sporting Monte-Carlo on Saturday, May 14th. Stay tuned to TopSpeed for a full recap.

Why It Matters

Even if you don’t have the bankroll to raise a paddle at RM Sotheby’s, these catalogues are still a nice slice of the sweet life. The layout and pictures make for highly enjoyable browsing, with contemporary professional shots complemented by historic photography. Meanwhile, the specs and text are easy to read, coming jam packed with nitty gritty info. It’s hard not to get that enthusiast’s lust as you turn the pages.

Our suggestion? Grab a copy and throw it on the coffee table. Car folks and non-car folks alike will get a kick out of it, and it’ll add a little extra class to your living room, even if it’s littered with old race tires and smells like oil.