Items related to The Alphabetic Labyrinth: Letters in History and Imagination
Synopsis
The letters of the alphabet have been the object of speculation since their invention almost 4000 years ago. The symbols represent sounds, yet they exist in their own right, often invested with quasi-magical power. This book examines the many imaginative, often idiosyncratic ways in which the letters of the alphabet have been assigned value in political, spiritual, or religious belief systems over two millennia. The birth of writing was linked to religion and cosmology and was endowed with semi-divine status. Plato saw letter-forms as reflecting ideas, while the Pythagoreans assimilated them to number-theory. The Greeks employed letters for occult and divinatory purposes, while the Romans used them in more practical ways, such as the invention of shorthand. The Middle Ages saw the rise of further theories about letters in Christian philosophy, alchemy and Kabbalah. Theories of their divine origin and mystical significance continued into the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming involved with nationalism and revolutionary political theory. In our own day letters of the alphabet are the subject of scholarly research, and inspiration to graphic artists and a fertile field for mystical speculation. This book explores this realm, and should be of interest to cultural historians, art historians, and anyone interested in the history of typography.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Buy New
View this item
£ 20.17
£ 22.33 shipping from U.S.A. to United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds
Search results for The Alphabetic Labyrinth: Letters in History and Imagination
Stock Image
The Alphabetic Labyrinth : The Alphabet in History, Mysticism and Imagination
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP14392686
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Alphabetic Labyrinth: Letters in History and Imagination
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # wbs4311232718
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Alphabetic Labyrinth : The Alphabet in History, Mysticism and Imagination
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # GRP80307175
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Alphabetic Labyrinth : The Alphabet in History, Mysticism and Imagination
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP64530313
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Alphabetic Labyrinth: Letters in History and Imagination
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003328382
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Alphabetic Labyrinth: The Letters in History and Imagination
Seller: Anybook.com, Lincoln, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,1300grams, ISBN:9780500016084. Seller Inventory # 4848766
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Alphabetic Labyrinth: Letters in History and Imagination
Seller: GREENSLEEVES BOOKS, Oxford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 0500016089. 1995, bright clean copy, with dustjacket, no markings, Professional booksellers since 1981. Seller Inventory # 163215
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Alphabetic Labyrinth: The Letters in History and Imagination
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 2.49. Seller Inventory # G0500016089I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Alphabetic Labyrinth: The Letters in History and Imagination
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 2.49. Seller Inventory # G0500016089I3N01
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Alphabetic Labyrinth: The Letters in History and Imagination
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 2.49. Seller Inventory # G0500016089I3N00
Quantity: 1 available