Cabinet of Natural Curiosities

The Complete Plates in Colour, 1734-1765
Albertus Seba

Albertus Seba's Cabinet of Natural Curiosities is one of the 18th century's greatest achievements in natural history and one of the most prized natural history books of all time. A Dutch pharmacist, Seba had a passion for collecting plants and creatures from all around the world. In 1731, after decades of collecting, Seba commissioned illustrations of every specimen and arranged the publication of a four-volume catalog. The extraordinary depictions of strange and exotic plants, snakes, frogs, shellfish, corals, insects, butterflies and more created a sensation in Seba's time and remain among the most beautiful and arresting images from natural history ever published.

This superb 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 collection belongs.

“A powerful testament to nature’s beauty and diversity.” –Chicago Tribune 

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