Reproducing in historical sequence 1355 signs; seals; and symbols from the simplest drawings of heavenly bodies; through the intricate heraldic devices of the Middle Ages; to modern cattle brands and hobo sign language; this book will be of immense value to the commercial artist and designer. The development of man as an artist and designer is here recorded pictorially by one of the worlds foremost experts in the field of graphic art; Ernst Lehner.This book is divided into 13 sections; each with a separate brief introduction: Symbolic Gods and Deities (Egyptian; Babylonian; Greek; Germanic; Incan; Aztec; Hindu; Buddhist; Taoist; etc.); Astronomy and Astrology; Alchemy; Magic; and Mystic (Nordic runes; magic circles; etc.); Church and Religion; Heraldry (coats of arms; badges; etc.); Monsters and Imaginary Figures; Japanese Crests; Marks and Signets (engravers; goldsmiths; armorers; stonemasons; etc.); Watermarks (fourteenthndash;eighteenth centuries); Printers Marks (fifteenthndash;seventeenth centuries); Cattle Brands; and Hobo Signs. All the signs; symbols; and signets are pictured in black and white on strikingly laid out pages; with full explanatory notes for both lay readers and specialists.Anyone interested in means of communication other than language will find this book fascinating and authoritative. The student and teacher in the graphic arts will find it a practical visual guide through the transformation of simple marks and signs into the complicated emblems of our time.
#400312 in eBooks 2012-09-26 2012-09-26File Name: B00A7358MA
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Got caught up in the hype reviews.By J. SzwedGot caught up in the hyped reviews when I ordered this book. They advised that this book would bring my appreciation of trees to a newer; higher; almost celestial level. Which is difficult since I already hold them in high esteem. Unfortunately not only didnt I gleam anything noteworthy from the book; the pictures did not even depict the beauty of trees. Just a bunch of black and white non descript photos. Oh well. Should have gone to the library (or brick and motor book store) and glanced at the book there before spending my money at . Taking a shortcut to actually viewing a book rarely pans out. Its what I love about those books on that allow us to flip through them.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Editors and publishers goofed.By FullyThis book has great potential. As a retired botanist who taught a course in trees at a university and later spent almost 40 years in forest genetics research; the book taught me some dimensions to forest potential I could have used in the past. It is beautifully written and scientifically sound; a pleasure to read if you have good eyesight. The photographs are interesting; but not always to the point of the essay; so could be more obviously integrated with the script. However; the print is very tiny and so are the pictures. This may have been someones idea of an artistic touch (Or an economy?) but it will not attract readers who would benefit and make use of the writers wisdom.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Trees talkBy Sylvia F. BornarthI particularily like this book not just because of the sensitive black and white photos of trees in various environs but because the authors know that trees talk. This may not be a surprise to some. I have received telepathic communication from a tree telling me to look up and out a window because the tree was going to fall. I did and it did. It was an amazing experience. It was a very large spruce and I looked at it everyday while working at my job.The book is small and very simply designed giving trees their due in an uncomplicated venue. The text is beautifully written.