The Kisokaido route through Japan was ordained in the early 1600s by the country's then-ruler Tokugawa Ieyasu, who decreed that staging posts be installed along the length of the arduous passage between Edo (present-day Tokyo) and Kyoto. Inns, shops, and restaurants were established to provide sustenance and lodging to weary travellers. In 1835, renowned woodblock print artist Keisai Eisen was commissioned to create a series of works to chart the Kisokaido journey. After producing 24 prints, Eisen was replaced by Utagawa Hiroshige, who completed the series of 70 prints in 1838. Both Eisen and Hiroshige were master print practitioners. In The Sixty-Nine Stations along the Kisokaido, we find the artists' distinct styles as much as their shared expertise. From the busy starting post of Nihonbashi to the castle town of Iwamurata, Eisen opts for a more muted palette but excels in figuration, particularly of glamorous women, and relishes snapshots of activity along the route, from shoeing a horse to winnowing rice. Hiroshige demonstrates his mastery of landscape with grandiose and evocative scenes, whether it's the peaceful banks of the Ota River, the forbidding Wada Pass, or a moonlit ascent between Yawata and Mochizuki. Taken as a whole, The Sixty-Nine Stations collection represents not only a masterpiece of woodblock practice, including bold compositions and an experimental use of colour, but also a charming tapestry of 19th-century Japan, long before the spectre of industrialisation. This new Taschen super-sized XXL edition revives the series with due scale and splendour. Sourced from the only-known set of a near-complete run of the first edition of the series, this legendary publication is reproduced in optimum quality, bound in the Japanese tradition and with uncut paper. It is at once a visual delight and a major artefact from the bygone era of Imperial Japan. Japanese binding in clothbound box, 44 x 30cm, 234 pages, text in English, French and German.

Exquisitely bound in a satin cloth decorated with an Archimboldo design of the head with the face made of flowers and plants and this outsize volume has a pink satin pagemarker and double gate centre pages, stunning black glossy background highlighting its treasures and many of these collectables are made of Nautilus shells with gilt-bronze settings decorated with dolphins, a lion's mouth, and some encrusted with rubies and turquoises. There are ornamental goblets, cups, exquisite glassware, shells of all shapes and colours, many in glass fronted cabinets, and the more gruesome skeletons, lizards and snakes and frogs, and more tasteful collections cameos, marble, silverware, and in today's eyes less tasteful rare birds, carved and inlaid ivory, armadillos, alligators, carved ebony servants. Seven countries Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Italy and England have been chosen with museums natural history, chateau, private collections, the Schloss Friedenstein in Gotha, Uppsala University in Sweden and curiosities of fantastic drawings, portraiture, semiprecious stones, collections of macabre paintings of humans with animal faces dressed in Tudor costumes, a man with a bloodied eye and the other eye socket pierced with a spear, there are decorative ships and dragons and all manner of shapes and colours and ideas for interior design, reflecting the history of collecting with beautiful objects, weapons and natural curiosities. The unique new Taschen publication, dripping with colour. The Wunderkammer, or "cabinet of curiosities," saw collectors gathering objects from many strands of artistic, scientific and intellectual endeavour, in an ambitious attempt to encompass all of humankind's knowledge in a single room. From the Grand Duke Francesco I de' Medici and Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II to Archduke Ferdinand II of Habsburg, these aristocratic virtuosos acquired, selected and displayed the objects in real-life catalogues that represented the entire world - spanning architecture, interior design, painting, sculpture, gemology, geology, botany, biology and taxonomy, astrology, alchemy, anthropology, ethnography and history. Marvel at the unicorn horns (narwhal tusks), gems, rare coral growths, Murano glasswork, paintings and peculiar mechanical automata. Browse through illustrations of exotic and mythical creatures and discover the famed "Coburg ivories," an astounding collection of crafted artifacts. These collections are nothing short of a journey through time, from the Renaissance and Age of Discovery, the Mannerist and Baroque periods, up to the present day. Massimo Listri travelled to seven European countries over several decades and the result is a set of gorgeous photographs on each of 19 astonishing chambers, highlighting the most remarkable items in each collection. Text in English, French and German. Colour. 29 x 39½cm, 5.04 kg, 356 pages.

Exotic plants, corals and crocodiles, birds and butterflies. Albertus Seba's extraordinary catalogue of natural specimens is not only one of the 18th century's greatest natural history achievements but also one of the most prized natural history books of all time. It is a beautiful tribute to the abundance and diversity of Earth's creatures, great and small, as well as a fascinating record of some now-extinct animals. Though scientists of his era often collected natural specimens for research purposes, Amsterdam-based pharmacist Albertus Seba (1665-1736) was unrivalled in his passion. Seba's scenic illustrations, often mixing plants and animals in a single plate, were unusual even for the time. His amazing 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 careful and often scenic illustrations of every specimen. With these meticulous drawings, he arranged for the publication of a four-volume catalogue, covering the entire collection from strange and exotic plants to snakes, frogs, crocodiles, shellfish, corals, birds, and butterflies, as well as now extinct creatures. This reproduction is taken from a rare, hand-coloured original. 15.6 x 21.7cm, 512 pages.

Ren Hang, who took his life February 23, 2017, was an unlikely rebel. Slight of build, shy by nature, prone to fits of depression, the 29-year-old Beijing photographer was nonetheless at the forefront of Chinese artists' battle for creative freedom. Like his champion Ai Weiwei, Ren was controversial in his homeland and wildly popular in the rest of the world. His models, friends, and in his last years, fans, are naked, often outdoors, high in the trees or on the terrifyingly vertiginous rooftops of Beijing, stacked like building blocks, heads wrapped in octopi, body cavities sprouting phone cords and flowers, whatever entered his mind at the moment. He denied his intentions were sexual, and there is a clean detachment about even his most extreme images: the urine, the insertions, the many, many erections. In a 2013 interview said "It's not just dicks I?m interested in, I like to portray every organ in a fresh, vivid and emotional way." True though that may be, the penises Ren photographed were not just fresh and vivid, but unusually large. Hang also stated, "Gender isn't important when I'm taking pictures, it only matters to me when I'm having sex," making him a pioneer of gender inclusiveness. Young fans still eagerly flock to his website and Facebook, Instagram, and Flickr accounts. His photographs, all produced on film, have been the subject of over 20 solo and 70 group shows in his brief six-year career. He self-published 16 monographs, in tiny print runs. Taschen's new book covers his entire career, with well-loved favorites and many never-before-seen photos of men, women, Beijing, and those many, many erections. Text in English, French and German. 8.9" x 11.8", 312 pages. New from Taschen.

Pop artist, painter of modern life, landscape painter, master of colour, explorer of image and perception, for six decades, David Hockney has been known as an artist who always finds new ways of exploring the world and its representational possibilities. He has consistently created unforgettable images: works with graphic lines and integrated text in the Swinging Sixties in London; the famous swimming pool series as a representation of the 1970s California lifestyle; closely observed portraits and brightly coloured, oversized landscapes after his eventual return to his native Yorkshire. In addition to drawings in which he transfers what he sees directly onto paper, there are multiperspective Polaroid collages that open up the space into a myriad of detailed views, and iPad drawings in which he captures light using a most modern medium -testaments to Hockney's enduring delight in experimentation. This special edition has been newly assembled from the two volumes of the David Hockney: A Bigger Book monograph to celebrate art publisher Taschen's 40th anniversary. Hockney's life and work is presented year by year as a dialogue between his works and voices from the time period, alongside reviews and reflections by the artist in a chronological text, supplemented by portrait photographs and exhibition views. Together they open up new perspectives, page after page, revealing how Hockney undertakes his artistic research, how his painting develops, and where he finds inspiration for his multifaceted work. 15.6 x 21.7cm, 1.47 kg, 512 pages. Glorious colour reproductions. New from Taschen.

For the seasoned car collector or the awestruck newcomer, this volume is the consummate sports car anthology, bringing together 50 of the most exquisite, desirable, and adrenaline-charging sports cars of all time. It recounts the enthralling endeavours in automotive design and engineering in pursuit of optimum dynamic performance for both road and track. This expertly curated roundup of glorious, high-speed two-seaters includes both all-out sports racers as well as their street-legal brethren. Indeed, some of the most desirable cars are from the glorious golden era of sports car racing, which existed up until the late 1960s. In that time, gentleman privateers would drive their cars to a competition event, such as the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans, race them hard - perhaps winning their class or even the race - before coolly driving them home again. Showcasing 50 of the most sought-after sports cars ever created, from the 1912 Stutz Model A Bear Cat and the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B MM Spider to the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR "Uhlenhaut Coupé" - the world's most expensive car - and the 1962/64 Ferrari 250 GTO Series II, this spectacular volume is an automobilia treasure trove. Each fabled model is presented with lavish colour photographic spreads, stunning imagery taken by the world's leading car photographers alongside rare archival gems, from original factory photos to famous motorsports event posters and expert descriptive texts and specs. 15.6 x 21.7cm, 512 pages. New from Taschen.

Amid our ever-growing consumption of data visualization, nothing makes for tastier morsels than the fine art of food and dining. Ushering the cookbook into the future, this volume gathers together the best infographics of all things eating, drinking, and cuisine, from measurement conversion charts and recipes for cookies and cocktails to stress-free party planning. A must-have for every 21st century foodie, this is gastro-guidance at its most visually appealing as much as expert. Want to master sashimi? Know the secret to perfectly grilled steak? Wow guests with your own dry martini? Food & Drink Infographics has all the answers and more, using the best culinary graphics to answer kitchen conundrums in lively, simple, and memorable form. You'll find appealing colour infographics on all the food groups, from grains and pulses to fruit and vegetables, to fish, meat, and poultry. Recipe ideas include soups, sandwiches, snacks, sweet treats, and just-right dressings. Other sections cover flavour pairings, baking, cooking tools and techniques, and alcohol, coffee, and tea. The book opens with a foreword by cooking author Michael Ruhlman, followed by a historic survey of food imagery examining how and where pictures have been used to enjoy, prepare, and serve food and drink, from Egyptian tomb paintings showing flatbread being made to 19th century classics such as Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management. Slick, smart, and packed full of perfect nuggets of advice, Food & Drink Infographics rounds up a delightful visual exploration of food and dining as much as an indispensable collection of everyday tips, techniques, and temptations. Two fold-outs, 24.6 x 37.2cm, 3.75 kg, 464 pages. Text in English, French and German. New from Taschen.

On November 18, 1928, the world's most famous mouse made his very first public debut. Today, we celebrate 90 plus years of Mickey Mouse in one of the most expansive illustrated publications on the Disney universe. Starting with the first sketches of a character who was almost named Mortimer, we trace the career of Walt Disney's and Ub Iwerks's most famous creation, one met with an explosion of worldwide popularity preceded only by the earlier successes of Charlie Chaplin. This edition is derived from the XXL book that was produced with unlimited access to Disney's vast historical collections as well as public and private collections. The authors bring Mickey's success story to life: concept art, story sketches, background paintings, and animation drawings as well as historical photographs trace the origins and evolution of such timeless favourites as Steamboat Willie, The Band Concert, and Brave Little Tailor. They also follow Mickey as he builds on this legendary library of short cartoons by appearing in two historic feature-length films, Fantasia and Fun and Fancy Free. Unfinished projects, many of them presented for the first time through original storyboard drawings, unveil a Mickey that might have been. Extensive archival research sheds new light on little-known chapters of Mickey's career, such as his pioneering radio shows, the origins of the Mickey Mouse Club, and his use as a patriotic icon during World War II. Along the way, we encounter the work of Ub Iwerks, Win Smith, Ferdinand Horvath, Fred Moore, Floyd Gottfredson, Carl Barks, Manuel Gonzales, Paul Murry, Romano Scarpa, Giorgio Cavazzano, Byron Erickson, César Ferioli, and Noel Van Horn. Today, 90 years after his creation, Mickey remains as lovable and popular as ever. Let's pay the ultimate tribute to the little fellow, his legend, and his legacy. 496 colour-packed pages. 25 x 34cm, heavy at over 3kg. New from Taschen.

"Bond, James Bond." Since Sean Connery uttered those immortal words in 1962, the most dashing secret agent in the history of cinema has been charming and thrilling audiences worldwide. This impeccably British character created by author Ian Fleming has starred in 25 EON-produced films, played by six different actors over five decades. EON Productions opened their archives of photos, designs, storyboards and production materials to editor Paul Duncan who spent two years researching over one million images and 100 filing cabinets of documentation. The result is the most complete account of the making of the series, covering every James Bond film ever made, beginning with Dr. No (1962) and ending with No Time To Die (2021), including the spoof Casino Royale (1967) and Never Say Never Again (1983). The wealth of previously unpublished photography, set designs, storyboards and production memos is supplemented by an oral history recounted by over 150 cast and crew. From producers to stuntmen, directors to production designers, these personal narratives relate the true inside story from the Bond sets, offering outstanding insight into the personalities and processes behind the most successful and longest-running film franchise in cinema history. This brand newly published updated edition includes exclusive colour photography and new interviews with Daniel Craig, director Cary Fukunaga, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, and many others, revealing the full story behind the making of the emotionally charged No Time To Die. Made with unrestricted access to the Bond archives, this book recounts the history of James Bond in words and pictures. Among the 1,100 images are many previously unseen stills, on-set photos, memos, documents, storyboards, posters, and designs, plus unused concepts, and alternative designs. Heavyweight, landscape, quality 33.7 x 24.6 cm (13.3 x 9.7 in.), 648 pages. Multi language edition new from Taschen.

From the mighty halls of ancient Alexandria to the coffered ceilings of the Morgan Library in New York, human beings have had a long, enraptured relationship with these collections of knowledge, learning, and imagination offering a sense of infinite possibility. In this new photographic journey, Massimo Listri travels to some of the oldest and finest libraries to reveal their architectural, historical, and imaginative wonder. Through great wooden doors, up spiraling staircases, and along exquisite, shelf-lined corridors, he leads us through outstanding private, public, educational, and monastic libraries, dating as far back as 766. Between them, these medieval, classical, baroque, rococo, and 19th-century institutions hold some of the most precious records of human thought and deed, inscribed and printed in manuscripts, volumes, papyrus scrolls, and incunabula. In each, Listri's poised images capture the library's unique atmosphere, as much as their most prized holdings and design details. Featured libraries include the papal collections of the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Trinity College Library, home to the Book of Kells and Book of Durrow. With meticulous descriptions accompanying each featured library, we learn not only of the libraries' astonishing holdings - from which highlights are illustrated - but also of their often lively, turbulent, or controversial pasts like the Franciscan monastery in Lima, Peru, with its horde of archival Inquisition documents. At once a bibliophile beauty pageant, an ode to knowledge, and an evocation of the particular magic of print, the book is above all a cultural-historical pilgrimage to the heart of our halls of learning. Heavyweight, brand-new Taschen publication. 16.7 x 22.5cm. 512 pages, gorgeous colour illustrations.