The Book of Signs: Which Contains All Manner of Symbols Used from the Earliest Times to the Middle Ages by Primitive Peoples and Early Christians / Rudolf Koch

Identifier:REF.CL.1423

Dimensions:104 p. illus. 24 cm.

Publication dates:circa 1955

Library of Congress Subject Headings:Calligraphy, Lettering, Signs and symbols, Patterns for crafts

Description:The title contains 493 illustrations divided into 14 different categories exploring symbols from earliest times to the Middle Ages. The book explores a graphic history of the development of written communications. The title would be appropriate for both calligraphy students and those looking for inspirational patterns for new works. "Students of modern printing will be aware that Rudolf Koch is an outstanding personality in the modern development of the graphic arts in Germany, and has achieved fame as a type-designer, calligrapher, artist and bookbinder. The present translation of his Book of Signs contains 493 symbols, used from ancient times up to the middle ages, which have been collected by Koch and his friends from carvings, inscriptions and manuscripts. Among them are Byzantine monograms, the signs of the Cross, the Holy initials, stonemason's signs, the signs of the four elements, and botanical, astrological and chemical signs. They have been redrawn and explained by Rudolf Koch himself and cut on wood by Fritz Kredel." - front matter Contents: General Signs -- The Cross -- The Monogram of Christ or Chrismon -- Other Christian Signs -- The Monogram -- Stonemasons' Signs -- The Four Elements -- Astronomical Signs -- Astrological Signs -- Botanical Signs -- Chemical Signs -- House and Holdings Marks -- Signs from Various Sources -- Runes