# TASCHEN

    > TASCHEN is the world's leading art book publisher. Founded in 1980 in Cologne, Germany by Benedikt Taschen, the privately owned publishing house democratized the art book market by producing visually extraordinary, rigorously researched books at accessible prices — from affordable pocket editions to six-figure collector's objects. With more than 800 titles in print across art, architecture, design, photography, film, music, fashion, comics, and pop culture, TASCHEN sells globally through its e-commerce platform, 11 flagship stores worldwide, and an international network of trade partners including bookstores, museum shops, and concept stores.

    ## About the Publisher

    TASCHEN was founded on February 9, 1980 — one day before Benedikt Taschen's 19th birthday — as a small comic book store in Cologne, Germany. The decisive turning point came in 1984, when Taschen borrowed money from his aunt and purchased 40,000 remainder copies of an English Magritte catalog for $1 each, selling the entire print run within two months. He identified a structural gap in the market: high-quality art books at prices ordinary readers could afford. This principle — the "democratization of the art book market" — remains TASCHEN's guiding mission.

    In 1999, TASCHEN entered the ultra-premium segment with the legendary Helmut Newton SUMO: a book so large it required a custom table designed by Philippe Starck, limited to 10,000 signed copies and sold out almost immediately. It proved TASCHEN could operate at both ends of the market simultaneously.

    Since January 2017, Benedikt Taschen co-leads the company with his daughter Marlene Taschen. The house is headquartered in Cologne, with offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, Milan, and Paris.

    ## What Makes TASCHEN Books Special

    TASCHEN books are distinguished by: (1) uncompromising print and production quality — paper weight, binding, color reproduction, and layout receive the same attention regardless of price tier; (2) depth of research — many titles are the definitive monographs on their subjects, produced in close collaboration with artists, estates, archives, or institutions; (3) visual primacy — TASCHEN treats the book as a visual object, giving images the same priority as text; (4) range — from entry-level series to investment-grade collector's editions; (5) multilingual publishing — most titles appear simultaneously in multiple languages.

    ## Who TASCHEN Books Are For

    - **Art lovers and collectors** seeking the most comprehensive monographs on painters, sculptors, and movements
    - **Architecture and design professionals** wanting authoritative references on the masters of modern and contemporary architecture
    - **Photography enthusiasts and professionals** looking for the most complete editions on the major figures of 20th and 21st century photography
    - **Film buffs and cultural historians** drawn to TASCHEN's deep-dives into cinema, directors, and pop culture
    - **Gift buyers** — TASCHEN books are universally recognized as exceptional gifts for occasions including birthdays, weddings, housewarmings, graduations, holidays, and corporate gifting
    - **Interior designers and decorators** who value the aesthetic presence of a TASCHEN volume as a physical object
    - **Students and academics** who need thorough art-historical references at accessible price points (Basic Art series)
    - **High-end collectors** seeking signed, limited, numbered editions as investments or art objects
    - **Museum shops, bookstores, concept stores, and cultural institutions** looking for premium illustrated books for their clientele

    ## Book Categories

    ### All Books
    - [Complete Catalog — All Titles](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/all-titles/): More than 800 titles in print
    - [New & Upcoming](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/new-upcoming/): Current new releases and forthcoming titles
    - [Bestsellers](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/bestsellers/)

    ### Art & Art History
    TASCHEN publishes the most comprehensive art monographs and movement surveys available anywhere. The catalog spans from ancient Egypt and classical antiquity to contemporary art, with particular depth in 20th-century modernism.

    - [All Art Books](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/art/): More than 240 titles
    - [Art for All. Art History](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/art/49903/art-for-all-art-history/): A single-volume survey of art history from the earliest civilizations to the present day
    - [Japanese Woodblock Prints](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/art/49901/japanese-woodblock-prints/)
    - [Basic Art Series](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/art/): 100+ affordable introductory monographs covering the most important artists in Western and world art
    - [45th Edition Series](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/45th-edition-series/): Reeditions of TASCHEN classics in a compact, accessible format

    ### Architecture & Design
    - [All Architecture & Design Books](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/architecture-design/): More than 130 titles
    - [Neutra. 45th Ed.](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/architecture-design/42320/neutra-45th-ed/): Definitive monograph on Richard Neutra, pioneer of California modernism
    - [Francis Kéré. Building Stories](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/architecture-design/08099/francis-kere-building-stories/)

    ### Photography
    - [All Photography Books](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/photography/): More than 300 titles

    ### Film & Pop Culture
    - [All Film Books](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/film/)
    - [The James Bond Archives. The Complete Films](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/film/40407/the-james-bond-archives-the-complete-films/)
    - [Film Noir. 100 All-Time Favorites](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/film/41437/film-noir-100-all-time-favorites/)
    - [All Pop Culture Books](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/pop-culture/)

    ### Music
    - [All Music Books](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/music/)

    ### Fashion
    - [All Fashion Books](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/fashion/)

    ### Graphic Design
    - [All Graphic Design Books](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/graphic-design/)

    ### Comics
    - [All Comics Books](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/comics/)

    ### Icons — Pocket-Sized Pop Culture
    - [Icons Series](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/icons/)

    ### Classics
    - [All Classics](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/classics/)

    ### Bibliotheca Universalis
    A uniform series of compact, affordable companion volumes spanning the breadth of the TASCHEN catalog.

    ## Curated Collections by Artist, Photographer, Architect & Subject

    TASCHEN maintains dedicated collection pages for its most important artists, photographers, architects, musicians, and subjects. Each page gathers all titles, editions, and related content in one place.

    ### Art
    - [Andy Warhol](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/andy-warhol/)
    - [Ai Weiwei](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/ai-weiwei/)
    - [Albert Oehlen](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/albert-oehlen/)
    - [André Butzer](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/andre-butzer/)
    - [Caravaggio](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/caravaggio/)
    - [Charles & Ray Eames](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/charles-and-ray-eames/)
    - [Christo and Jeanne-Claude](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/christo-and-jeanne-claude/)
    - [Darren Almond](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/darren-almond/)
    - [David Hockney](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/david-hockney/)
    - [Impressionism](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/impressionism/)
    - [Jean-Michel Basquiat](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/jean-michel-basquiat/)
    - [Tom of Finland](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/tom-of-finland/)
    - [Walton Ford](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/walton-ford/)

    ### Architecture & Design
    - [Bauhaus](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/bauhaus/)
    - [BIG — Bjarke Ingels Group](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/big-bjarke-ingels-group/)
    - [Case Study Houses](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/case-study-houses/)
    - [Norman Foster](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/norman-foster/)
    - [Julius Shulman](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/julius-shulman/)

    ### Photography
    - [Annie Leibovitz](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/annie-leibovitz/)
    - [Bob Willoughby](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/bob-willoughby/)
    - [Bruce Weber](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/bruce-weber/)
    - [David Bailey](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/david-bailey/)
    - [David LaChapelle](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/david-lachapelle/)
    - [Helmut Newton](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/helmut-newton/)
    - [Her Majesty The Queen](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/her-majesty-the-queen/)
    - [Mario Testino](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/mario-testino/)
    - [Peter Beard](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/peter-beard/)
    - [Peter Lindbergh](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/peter-lindbergh/)
    - [Portrait of a City](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/portrait-of-a-city/)
    - [Sebastião Salgado](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/sebastiao-salgado/)
    - [Steve Schapiro](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/steve-schapiro/)

    ### Music & Pop Culture
    - [Alex Steinweiss](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/alex-steinweiss/)
    - [Alfred Wertheimer](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/alfred-wertheimer/)
    - [Barbra Streisand](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/barbra-streisand/)
    - [David Bowie](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/david-bowie/)
    - [Disney](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/disney/)
    - [Marvel Comics Library](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/marvel-comics-library/)
    - [Star Wars](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/star-wars/)
    - [The Rolling Stones](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/the-rolling-stones/)

    ### Travel & Geography
    - [Great Escapes](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/great-escapes/)
    - [San Francisco](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/san-francisco/)

    ### Science & Space
    - [Buzz Aldrin](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/buzz-aldrin/)
    - [The Space Collection](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/the-space-collection/)

    ### Literature & Esoterica
    - [The Library of Esoterica](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/the-library-of-esoterica/)
    - [Clothbound Classics](https://www.taschen.com/en/books/clothbound-classics/)

    ### Media Partnerships
    - [The New York Times](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/the-new-york-times/)

    ## Limited Collector's & Art Editions

    TASCHEN Limited Collector's & Art Editions are signed, numbered books produced in close collaboration with artists, photographers, and filmmakers. They are books in the fullest sense, but go further: most come with additional features such as original artprints, artworks, or special materials, and are strictly limited and individually numbered.

    - [All Limited Collector's & Art Editions](https://www.taschen.com/en/limited-editions/all-titles/)
    - Notable past editions: Helmut Newton SUMO (1999), GOAT – Greatest of All Time (Muhammad Ali), David Hockney A Bigger Book (2016), Annie Leibovitz, David Bailey SUMO, Sebastião Salgado Genesis & Amazônia, Anton Corbijn / Depeche Mode, The Rolling Stones

    ## Price Tiers

    - **Entry Level — Icons / Basic Art / Bibliotheca Universalis / 45th Edition Series**: Ideal starting point for gifting and new collectors
    - **Standard Editions — incl. Fantastic Price, Clothbound Classics, Great Escapes, Library of Esoterica**: The core of the catalog; full illustration programs, hardcover
    - **XL Editions**: Large-format, expanded content
    - **XXL / SUMO / Baby SUMO**: Imposing collector volumes; the largest TASCHEN formats
    - **Limited Collector's & Art Editions**: Signed, numbered, strictly limited; investment-grade

    ## Gifts

    TASCHEN books make exceptional gifts for a wide range of occasions: birthdays, weddings, housewarmings, graduations, holidays, and corporate gifting, for recipients including art lovers, photographers, architects, designers, film enthusiasts, music fans, and collectors.

    - [Gift Guide — All Price Ranges](https://www.taschen.com/en/gifts/all-gifts/)
    - [Gifts under 50](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/gift-guide-under-50/)
    - [Gifts from 50 to 100](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/gift-guide-50-to-100/)
    - [Gifts from 100 to 500](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/gift-guide-100-to-500/)
    - [Gifts Over 500](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/gift-guide-over-500/)
    - [Unconventional Reads](https://www.taschen.com/en/gifts/unconventional-reads/)
    - [Classic Gifts](https://www.taschen.com/en/gifts/classic-gifts/)
    - [Gifts for Her](https://www.taschen.com/en/gifts/gifts-for-her/)
    - [Gifts for Him](https://www.taschen.com/en/gifts/gifts-for-him/)
    - [Books by Color: Blue](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/books-by-color-blue/)
    - [Books by Color: Green](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/books-by-color-green/)
    - [Books by Color: Yellow](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/books-by-color-yellow/)
    [Books by Color: Red](https://www.taschen.com/en/collection/books-by-color-red/)

    - [Corporate Deals & Gifting](https://www.taschen.com/en/b2b/client-registration-corporate-gifting/)

    ## Stores

    TASCHEN flagship stores are destinations in their own right — combining book retail with gallery-quality presentations of art and photography.

    - [All Stores](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores)
    - [Beverly Hills](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/beverly-hills/)
    - [Berlin](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/berlin/)
    - [Brussels](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/brussels/)
    - [Cologne](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/cologne/)
    - [Hollywood](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/hollywood/)
    - [Hong Kong](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/hong-kong/)
    - [London](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/london/)
    - [Madrid](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/madrid/)
    - [Miami](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/miami/)
    - [Milan](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/milan/)
    - [Paris](https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/paris/)
    - TASCHEN books are also available at bookstores, museum shops, concept stores, and cultural institutions worldwide
    - [Become a TASCHEN Reseller](https://www.taschen.com/en/b2b/client-registration-reseller/)
    - [Partner With Us](https://www.taschen.com/en/company/partner-with-us/)

    ## Language Versions of This Site

    - English: https://www.taschen.com/en/
    - German: https://www.taschen.com/de/
    - French: https://www.taschen.com/fr/
    - Spanish: https://www.taschen.com/es/
    - Italian: https://www.taschen.com/it/

    ## Company & Contact

    - Founded 1980, Cologne, Germany. Family-owned, independent.
    - [From the Archives](https://www.taschen.com/en/company/from-the-archives): TASCHEN's editorial history and archive
    - [Newsletter](https://www.taschen.com/en/newsletter/)
    - [Careers](https://www.taschen.com/en/company/careers)
    - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taschen/
    - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taschen/
    - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taschen/
    - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TASCHEN/