Cabinet of Natural Curiosities

Curious Creatures: Albertus Seba's Unrivaled Catalog of Animals, Insects, and "Freaks of Nature"

The Cabinet of Natural 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. Amsterdam-based pharmacist Albertus Seba (1665–1736) was unrivaled in his passion for collecting natural specimens, and his amazing collection of animals, plants, and insects from around the world earned him international fame.

A Legendary Collection:

In 1731, after decades of collecting, Seba commissioned careful and often scenic illustrations of every specimen. These meticulous drawings were arranged into a four-volume catalog covering the entire collection—from strange and exotic plants to snakes, frogs, crocodiles, shellfish, corals, birds, and butterflies, as well as creatures that are now extinct.

What's Inside:

• 560 pages of stunning hand-colored illustrations
• Animals, plants, and insects from around the world
• Snakes, frogs, crocodiles, and exotic creatures
• Shellfish, corals, birds, and butterflies
• "Double-headed monsters," dragons, and curiosities
• Extinct species preserved in illustration
• Scenic and detailed engravings by master craftsmen

Specifications:

• Format: Hardcover
• Dimensions: 25 x 34 cm
• Weight: 3.64 kg
• Pages: 560
• ISBN: 978-3-8365-6906-4
• Edition: Multilingual (English, French, German)
• Publisher: TASCHEN

"A powerful testament to nature's beauty and diversity." — Chicago Tribune

"The eye-popping displays leave us in awe of the diversity of the natural world, as well as the engravers' skill in producing these beautifully detailed plates." — The Huffington Post

Taken from a rare hand-colored original, this best-selling collection features an introduction that contextualizes the fascinating tradition of natural collections to which Seba's curiosities belonged. Perfect for natural history enthusiasts, collectors, and anyone captivated by the wonders of the natural world.