Albertus Seba's "Cabinet of Curiosities" is one of the 18th century's greatest natural history achievements and remains one of the most prized natural history books of all time. Though it was common for men of his profession to collect natural specimens for research purposes, Amsterdam-based pharmacist Albertus Seba had a passion that led him far beyond the call of duty. His amazing, unprecedented collection of animals, plants and insects from all around the world gained international fame during his lifetime. After decades of collecting, Seba commissioned illustrations of each specimen and arranged the publication of a four-volume catalog detailing his entire collection. This superb, complete reproduction is taken from a rare, hand-colored original.
 |
Shop the Amazon.com Textbooks Store and save up to 70% on textbook rentals, 90% on used textbooks and 60% on eTextbooks. |
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
A gorgeous testament to the wonder with which the Old World surveyed the New. -- Wall Street Journal - November 30, 2001
Perhaps this year's most unusual book. -- Town & Country, December 2001
Perhaps this year's most unusual book. -- Town & Country, December 2001
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
141 of 148 people found the following review helpful
By Mark Mauer
Format:Hardcover
I saw this huge beautiful book at a store today and nearly bought it on a whim -
even with the $150 price tag. Then I thought I'd check on Amazon
and maybe get it at a discount - no such luck.
They said they don't discount such hard-to-find titles. Well, it's certainly not hard to
find, as it is published by Taschen, and any decent bookstore has plenty of Taschen
books. It is however huge, and expensive, so there's the trouble. Here is some info on the
book directly from the publishers:
Albertus Seba's "Cabinet of Curiosities" is one of the 18th
century's greatest natural history achievements and remains one
of the most prized natural history books of all time.
even with the $150 price tag. Then I thought I'd check on Amazon
and maybe get it at a discount - no such luck.
They said they don't discount such hard-to-find titles. Well, it's certainly not hard to
find, as it is published by Taschen, and any decent bookstore has plenty of Taschen
books. It is however huge, and expensive, so there's the trouble. Here is some info on the
book directly from the publishers:
Albertus Seba's "Cabinet of Curiosities" is one of the 18th
century's greatest natural history achievements and remains one
of the most prized natural history books of all time.
Though it was common for men of his profession to collect natural
specimens for research purposes, Amsterdam-based pharmacist
Albertus Seba (1665-1736) had a passion that led him far beyond
the call of duty. His amazing, unprecedented collection of animals,
plants and insects from all around the world gained international
fame during his lifetime. In 1731, after decades of collecting, Seba
commissioned illustrations of each and every specimen and
arranged the publication of a four-volume catalog detailing his
entire collection-from strange and exotic plants to snakes, frogs,
crocodiles, shellfish, corals, insects, butterflies and more, as well
as fantastic beasts, such as a hydra and a dragon.
Seba's scenic illustrations, often mixing plants and animals in a
single plate, were unusual even for the time. Many of the stranger
and more peculiar creatures from Seba's collection, some of which
are now extinct, were as curious to those in Seba's day as they
are to us now.
Our superb, complete reproduction is taken from a rare,
hand-colored original. The introduction offers background
information about the fascinating tradition of the cabinet of
curiosities to which Seba's curiosities belonged and an additional
annex, written by contemporary biologists, provides descriptions of
the specimens.
I'll most likely save my dollars until I can buy this without feeling too guilty: By the way - it's 646 pages and about 18 inches high.
118 of 128 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Let me start off by saying that I'm a huge fan of this book publisher Taschen. If you go to any book store and find yourself flipping through some spectacularly illustrated book that seems very cutting edge, there is a good chance it is a Taschen. Taschen is a company led by Benedikt and Angelika (last name: Taschen!). These people are pure and simple revolutionaries. I've been collecting books for close to 20 years, and it has really only been with the advent of Taschen that I've found myself excited by anything newly published.
This book specifically: Does the price seem a little spendy?? To the contrary. If you buy it you will be so utterly astonished at the imposing size and the overall high quality that you will find it to be the best bargain of your bargain-hunting and book-buying lifespan. This book is a work of art in its own right. The content is fabulous: spectacular color plates that reveal nature as the most creative (if not downright psychedelic) of artists. It truly is amazing to see a display of awe-inspiring bio-diversity documented in this fashion. If you are not an eager advocate for the environment, you very well may become one upon flipping through these pages. It is impossible to not feel affection for these various small and beautiful creatures, and one feels a mandate to recognize their rightful place on the planet when you have them introduced to you in this fashion. I would personally buy a copy of this for George W. Bush if I could rest assured that he would flip through every page if only once. He would have to re-examine his approach to the planet as a result, or he simply is not human.
Okay, one gripe, one mistake I see Taschen making: a book of this magnitude needs a cloth or "buckram" cover, not a mere "finished cardboard" cover. The cover is nicely decorated and textured, but it is essentially of the same quality as a Dr. Suess book. It is the only aspect of the book where Taschen has cut a corner in an obvious attempt to save money. It is sad that they did so. I think Taschen needs to keep the quality of the bindings high and traditional. Taschen content is so innovative and progressive that they don't need to get too clever with the covers. I have another Taschen book with a "shiny cardboard cover"; it appears to be coated with some type of plastic or resin. Already, after only two years or so, it is making creaking noises when you open it. I envision after a few more years those synthetic molecules quite simply giving up and the entire book falling apart in my hands. Taschen, listen up: most of us are happy to spend a few bucks more for top quality all the way across. This "Cabinet of Curiosities" in particular is insulted by the compromise cover. But despite this caveat, I can not imagine any enlightened person being anything other than fully blown-away by this book. It truly doesn't get much better than this in the world of contemporary books.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the perfect gift for an impossible to buy for person. The book is massive in size and content. Filled with interesting drawings of creatures and plants practically every page could be taken from the book and framed. I highly recommend this book to lovers of nature or art. Each time you flip it open you are bound to see something new. Cabinet of curiosities indeed!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ummm...
Am I the only person who thinks it's ridiculous that someone's trying to get almost $2000 for a book I bought less than a decade ago in the Barnes & Noble bargain books section for... Read more
Published on May 15, 2011 by Alizara
3.0 out of 5 stars
For bibliophiles, more than biophiliacs
This huge book is the distillation of 4 volumes, published in the 18th century, by a collector of oddities who commissioned drawings of his wunderkammer and began publishing them... Read more
Published on February 24, 2010 by Paul Sas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book
It is really great book and should be more expensive :)
I'm happy that I bought it!
I'm happy that I bought it!
Published on August 23, 2009 by Elimelech Nesher
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book of a Lifetime
Don't even think about it- buy this one. It is huge and may require its own room but is wonderful in every way. Read more
Published on June 26, 2009 by Joan E. Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing book
This book is beautiful, especially sitting on our coffee table. It appeals to all ages and the pictures are very colorful! Read more
Published on April 25, 2009 by Julie A. Maas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book!
I wanted to buy this book for years!Now that I have it, I love to look at it over and over. I give this book to all my friends who work in the design field! Read more
Published on February 9, 2009 by Tai I. Rivera
5.0 out of 5 stars
Big but Beautiful
If you love art, nature, or have an intrest in taxinomony. This is the one for you.
Published on January 23, 2009 by Jessie L. Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Book Ever !!!!!
I first saw this book at a resort we were staying at. I had to have it!! I have never seen a more amazing book. This book is something I believe everyone should own. Read more
Published on April 12, 2008 by Denise Zofcin
5.0 out of 5 stars
My most cherished book
This book is an outstanding bargain. It is beautiful and breathtaking. I hadn't read the dimensions of the book before ordering and was really surprised when this 16 pound book... Read more
Published on November 27, 2006 by Edith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Impresive
The book is more than I expected. It will be proudly display at my store Sol Interios. I know it will get lots of attention.
Published on November 5, 2006 by Esperanza Koop
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
Look for Similar Items by Category
- Books > Education & Reference
- Books > History > Modern (16th-21st Centuries) > 19th Century
- Books > New, Used & Rental Textbooks > Science & Mathematics > Biology & Life Sciences > Biology
- Books > Science & Math > Biological Sciences > Biology
- Books > Science & Math > History & Philosophy
- Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Reference
