From his humble beginning selling comic books in his native Cologne to his rapidly expanding book publishing empire, Benedikt Taschen has been all about living large — literally. Sumo, a 464-page, 66-pound compendium of Helmut Newton’s photography is one of the largest and heaviest books ever produced — it comes with its own display stand — and among the most expensive, too. The first copy in a limited edition published in 1999 and signed by many of the celebrities whose images appear in its pages sold at auction for $364,000.
TASCHEN’s success derives from his personality: he publishes books that reflect his own diverse personal enthusiasms. TASCHEN’s lavishly produced art books run the gamut from the ridiculous (The Big Book of Breasts) to the sublime (17th-century naturalist Albertus Seba’s Cabinet of Natural Curiosities).
The TASCHEN catalog includes scholarly examinations of cultural icons such as Muhammad Ali, gorgeous monographs on painters like Hieronymous Bosch, exquisite books of photography like Sebastião Selgado’s Genesis and portfolios of muscle cars. In addition to his 11 bookstores located in the United States and Europe, TASCHEN recently opened an art gallery in Los Angeles devoted to photography.
As you can see from the titles available on these pages, you are more than likely to have an interest in common with Benedikt Taschen — and his marvelous books give you a way to explore it fully.
$469 / item
Tom of Finland. Bookend ‘Durk’
By Tom of Finland, TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tom of Finland. Bookend ‘Durk’ Bookend, painted cast resin, height 12.8 in., base 6 x 6 x 0.8 in. Always Ready to Handle the Heaviest Load- Get Your Books Sandwiched and Add Some Pl...
Resin
$469 / item
Tom of Finland. Bookend ‘Pekka’
By TASCHEN, Tom of Finland, Duffy London
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tom of Finland. Bookend ‘Pekka’ Bookend, painted cast resin, height 12.8 in., base 6 x 6 x 0.8 in. Always Ready to Handle the Heaviest Load - Get Your Books Sandwiched and Add Some ...
Resin
Pair of Vintage Geode Quartz Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Admired since ancient times, natural quartz is prized for its extraordinary natural design. These vintage 1970s gems are polished and present the beautiful array of tan and brown col...
Stone, Quartz
Pair of Japanese Bronze Bookends, circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Japanese Bronze Bookends, circa 1880
Bronze
Pair of Japanese Bronze Bookends, circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Japanese bronze bookends, circa 1880.
Bronze
Pair of Vintage Brown Geode Quartz Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Admired since ancient times, natural geode quartz is prized for its extraordinary natural design. These vintage 1970s gems are polished and present the beautiful array of tan and bro...
Stone, Quartz
Pair of Reclining Lion Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of reclining lion bookends, a stunning pair with the look of limestone, but a composition material. The pair are of good weight for those larger bo...
Composition
Pair of Roman Column Marble Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of Roman column green marble bookends, circa 1970s. The marble is beautifully veined and in great condition and the bookends together crea...
Marble
Pair of Virginia Metalcrafters Brass Eagle Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Nice set of high quality, heavy brass Virginia Metalcrafters Eagle bookends. Made in Waynesboro Virginia. Can hold large stack of books. Has thin felt rounds on bottom of each to pr...
Brass
Pair of French Lion and Tiger Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Pair of French Lion and Tiger Bookends A pair of bookends. Each bookend features a metallic sculpture of a big cat, with one being a lion and the other a tiger. The sculptures are mo...
Marble, Metal
Pair of Vintage Brass Eagle Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Nice set of heavy brass Eagle bookends. Has thin felt on bottom of each to prevent scratching furniture. Great on a book shelf or desk. Nice condition, hand polished, ready to use. 6...
Brass
Pair of Continental Patinated Copper Elephant Bookends
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Continental (possibly Austrian - 20th Century) bronze-patinated copper bookends in the form of elephants. (PRICED AS Pair)
Copper
Pair of Vintage Brass Eagle Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Nice set of extra large, heavy brass Eagle bookends. Has thin felt on bottom of each to prevent scratching furniture. Great on a book shelf or desk. Nice condition, hand polished, Re...
Brass
Max Le Verrier - Pair Of Gazelle Bookends
By Max Le Verrier
Located in Beaune, FR
Pair of Art Deco style bookends in green patinated spelter representing leaping gazelles. They rest on a black marble base. They are signed "M. LeVerrier" and are in good condition w...
Marble, Spelter