Basic Isotype by Neurath (4 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Author Otto Neurath (1882-1945) was the Director of the International Foundation for Visual Education, and inventor/writer of "International Picture Language". Austrian-born, Neurath was a philosopher of science, a sociologist, and political economist. His Isotype Method sought to provide a standardized language in which pictures were used for communication, particularly to represent social scientific data. Neurath created specific guidelines on how to combine identical figures using serial repetition for clear communication. This book, "Basic by Isotype", is an example of the way in which pictures may be of help in making the sense of words and statements clear within a rough outline, using Neurath's method. (Book contents / Wikipedia).BOOK DESCRIPTION: This small copy measures a little over 6 inches tall and 4 inches wide. Bound in two-tones, spine is green cloth bearing a paper label with green text, matching the green text on the tan paper cover. Text and illustrations are primarily in black and white with occasional red isotype images. Fold-out frontispiece is a list of words entitled "Basic English" measuring 10 inches tall x 6.75 inches wide. As part of the Psyche Miniatures General Series (No. 86) in connection with PSYCHE, (An Annual Review of General and Applied Psychology), an advertisement of other general and medical editions is present at the front and also at the back. Indexed. 130 pp. CONDITION: Mild wear and soiling with light bump at head of front board. Leaves are clean and unmarked with only very occasional foxing. Images are beautifully bold and crisply defined. A crack has formed at the gutter between pages 68 and 69, yet the hinges are strong, binding is sound, and pagination is complete. A lovely little first edition copy. Full refund if not satisfied.EXCERPT FROM INTRODUCTORY PAGES: "Basic English, for which Dr. Neurath has made this book of international pictures, is a simple but natural form of English designed for international use. English is the most talked language of the earth. By cutting its 250,000 words down to 850 and doing without its complex 'verb' system, Basic may well become a second language for all. [.] Isotype is an international picture language which makes use of a great number of signs in such a way that the same sign is at all times representative of the same thing. The signs are clear and simple, and so designed that the most important points are seen straight away and are kept in the memory. [.]".

First edition of Austrian philosopher Otto Neurath's illustrated companion to Basic English, a practical demonstration of his Isotype system of education "through the eye." Founder of the International Foundation for the Promotion of Visual Education at the Hague, Neurath imagined a global language of icons that would transcend linguistic and cultural difference. He called this visual language Isotype: "International System of Typographic Picture Education." In this volume, Neurath pairs Isotype signs with key words in Basic English, a controlled subset of English words and rules devised by the British philosopher Charles Kay Ogden in his own attempt to establish a universal language. Ogden contributes the prefatory note to this volume, which opens with a folding table of Basic English vocabulary and rules, followed by hundreds of examples of Neurath's Isotype signs. A near-fine example of an influential work of utopian linguistics and modern graphic design, warmly inscribed by Otto Neurath. Single volume, measuring 6 x 3.75 inches: 130, [2]. Green cloth spine, original buff paper boards lettered in green and priced at 2/6, pastedown spine label. Folding table of Basic English facing title. Black and red illustrations throughout text; two pages of publisher's ads at rear. Inscribed by Otto Neurath in the year of publication: "Der lieben Ann / mit herzlichen Grüßen! / Auf Wiedersehn! / Otto / Juni 1937." Spine label rubbed, text block slightly shaken.

First edition, first impression, of this scarce book on the Isotype (the International System of Typographic Picture Education) which uses standardized pictorial symbols to represent social, scientific, and historical data. Though well-represented institutionally, the work is remarkably rare on the market, with just one copy traced at auction since publication. The present work, which pairs words in Basic English with simplified visual representations, was written and designed by Otto Neurath (1882-1945), an Austrian philosopher of science, a member of the Vienna Circle, and the inventor of the Isotype. Linguist and philosopher C. K. Ogden writes in his preface that "the purpose of the book is to give teachers an example of one sort of good picture-teaching" (p. 6). Duodecimo. Basic English folding chart tipped-in on half-title verso. Original quarter cloth, white paper spine label printed in green, front cover lettered in green. Spine label a little chipped and toned, boards a little rubbed, a couple of faint stains to upper outer corner of front cover, gutter cracked between a couple of gatherings, but still sound and clean within. A very good copy.

Condition: Very Good. First Edition. First edition. 130, [2] pp. with fold-out chart at front. Bound in publisher's paper covered boards with green cloth backstrip, paper title label. A Very Good copy with slightly foxed and rubbed boards, small corner chip to spine label. Tiny edge tear to fold-out chart, crease along bottom right edge. A rare pictorial/verbal primer of Basic English, presenting vocabulary and simple formulations in Basic with accompanying visualizations.