Alphabets: A Miscellany of Letters - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1907317090 ISBN 13: 9781907317095

Publisher: Black Dog Publishing London UK, 2010

Synopsis

Alphabets: A Miscellany of Letters is a colourful and playful treasury of letters in use. From a comprehensive introduction on the origins of the written word, through to theories such as ''The Alphabet Effect'', to exploring coding, decoding and abstraction Alphabets features illustrations, found objects, graphic design, art, conceptual typography, graffiti and much more. Through the exploration of this grouping of 26 symbols, the compelling persona and history of each letter is revealed. The alphabets presented in this title show how artists, typographers, illustrators and educators have uniquely interpreted each individual letter. Featuring letters of all shapes and sizes and alphabets ranging from Victorian classroom aides, Dr Seuss' ABC through to Peter Blake, Michael Craig-Martin, Tauba Auerbach, and the 'Tangled Alphabets' of Leon Ferrari and Mira Schendelto to ABC Blocks, phonetics, Braille, and Muji alphabet ice cube moulds, Alphabets: A Miscellany of Letters offers a cornucopia of imagery alongside fascinating text.

About this title

Product Description:

Originally deriving from pictograms, letter forms have been developed, refined and adapted for myriad uses, from a simple clear typeface for advertising to a decorated animal alphabet for children. This highly illustrated exploration of the history and use of letters begins with an essay detailing the development of the Western alphabet and then, using each letter as a starting point, explores how it has been creatively employed by artists, designers, typographers and publishers.

Review:

''The new book from preeminent alphabet historian David Sacks combines eye candy, font fetishism, and sociological etymology in a lavishly illustrated love letter to the modern A-to-Z. (...) an engaging, encyclopedic romp through our collective visual history that celebrates human creativity and cultural expression not only in the use of the written word, but in its very invention.'' --Flavorpill

''[An] entertaining and visually exhilarating exploration of the language of letters.'' --Time Out

About this edition

• Publisher: Black Dog Publishing London UK
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1907317090
• ISBN 13: 9781907317095
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240