The Alphabet Abecedarium: Some Notes on Letters
Richard A. Firmage
Sold by Book Grocer, Tullamarine, VIC, Australia
AbeBooks Seller since 15 October 2025
Used - Hardcover
Ships from Australia to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketSold by Book Grocer, Tullamarine, VIC, Australia
AbeBooks Seller since 15 October 2025
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketRichard A. Firmage, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. If you think you know your alphabet, think again. Drawing from mythology, cosmology, history, the Bible and literature, this book takes the reader on a tour of each of the 26 letters of the Roman alphabet. It shows the history and development of each letter and how its shape evolved.
Seller Inventory # 9780747547570-SECONDHAND
Originally intended as "a winter's brief exercise" by American editor and book designer Richard A Firmage, the book, in the author's words, "far overstepped its original bounds". Years of research finally yielded a work that traces the development of the alphabet from the time the Phoenicians began representing sounds with symbols to the contemporary explosion in computerised typography. Along the way, Firmage brings in some intriguing trivia. For example, the stylus used by ancient Greek scribes often doubled as a weapon and, in 1939, one E V Wright published a 50,000-word novel which didn't once use the letter "e".
In 26 chapters (one for each letter of the alphabet), Firmage explains not only the linguistic origins of each letter but also the evolution of its representation in script and in type. The author's prose is stately and learned, but never over-scholarly or tedious, and the text is accompanied by abundant black-and-white illustrations of historical typefaces and alphabetical ephemera.
Anyone interested in the Western alphabet and how it got that way will enjoy The Alphabet Abecedarium. The book is an excellent gift choice for the aspiring designer or budding bibliophile, but you'd best buy two copies--if you care enough about the alphabet to be reading this review, you'll probably want one for yourself. --C A Wills
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Book Grocer, Tullamarine, Victoria, Australia, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
| Order quantity | 15 to 25 business days | 7 to 14 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 22.72 | £ 37.86 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.