Le Cabinet Des Curiosités Naturelles, Albertus Seba, Musch (Book)

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The Cabinet of Natural Curiosities, Albertus Seba (Book) by Albertus Seba, Irmgard Müsch, Rainer Willmann. Interior in very good condition, top of pages slightly dog-eared, light creases on dust jacket, Albertus Seba (1665-1736). 636 pages, large format. 2001. French language.

Albertus Seba’s “Cabinet of Natural Curiosities” is one of the greatest achievements of natural history of the 18th century and remains one of the most sought-after natural history books of all time. Although it was common for men of his profession to collect natural specimens for research purposes, the Amsterdam-based pharmacist Albertus Seba (1665-1736) had a passion that took him far beyond the call of duty.

His astonishing and unprecedented collection of animals, plants and insects from around the world gained international fame during his lifetime. In 1731, after decades of collecting, Seba commissioned illustrations of each specimen and arranged for the publication of a four-volume catalogue detailing his entire collection, from strange and exotic plants to snakes, frogs, crocodiles, crustaceans, corals, insects, butterflies and more, as well as fantastical beasts, such as a seven-headed hydra.

The beautiful illustrations transport these creatures from the scientific world of the specimens into highly aesthetic and vivid scenes, where plants and animals intermingle. It is this narrative element that still gives the book much of its special fascination today.

This magnificent reproduction of the original 449 plates is taken from a rare hand-coloured copy held at the Koninklijke Bibliotheek in The Hague. The introduction provides background information on the fascinating tradition of the cabinet of curiosities to which Seba’s collection belonged.

A journey into the past and at the same time a path to the rediscovery of the wonders of nature, which remain more vital than ever.