Historical book reissued

Amsterdam-born Jan Christiaan Sepp was introduced to the study of nature and drawing by his father Christiaan. Published in 1776, his Book of Marble was considered one of the best illustrated scientific books of its time. TASCHEN has decided to re-release the book after almost 300 years.

Amsterdam-born Jan Christiaan Sepp was initiated into the study of nature and drawing by father Christiaan. Published in 1776, his Book of Marble was considered one of the best illustrated scientific books of the time. TASCHEN decides to re-release the book after almost 300 years.  

Jan Christiaan Sepp was the eldest son of Christiaan Sepp, a respected collector who gained his reputation through publications on scientific themes. One of which is Dutch Insects. Son Jan Christiaan was born in 1739 in Amsterdam, he married Sara Focking, daughter of an Amsterdam paper seller. It was Jan who created the visual masterpiece Marmor Types created. A visual anthology about 570 types of marble, from all over the world. Only 100 copies were printed. But getting your hands on the rare book is now still possible...

Like hot cakes 

Published at the height of the Enlightenment in 1776, scientific thinking based on rationalism and empiricism was central. This created a new worldview based on a strong reliance on reason and overall progress in science, education, social reform, and politics. Visually attractive books that categorized and annotated sold like hotcakes. Books by father and son Sepp provided education to many people who did not have access to such collections of rare and exotic objects. 

Under the name The Book of Marble, the scientific masterpiece will return in 2023 in a (semi) new guise. In the new edition, published by TASCHEN, the hand-drawn plates create an abstract art feeling. By reprinting the work in full for the first time, The Book of Marble brings the rare blend of beauty and encyclopedic knowledge to a wider audience.