Items related to Alphabets to Order: The Literature of Nineteenth-Century...
Synopsis
One of the most peculiar classes of lierature in the 19th century was the specimen book, issued by typefounders to show the styles of type available for sale. This entertaining survey combines typographic scholarship and literary criticism to discuss hundreds of examples of text, from the arcane to the mundane and the texts can be read with a poetic as well as a typographic sensibility.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherBritish Library Board
- Publication date2000
- ISBN 10 071234702X
- ISBN 13 9780712347020
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Edition number1
- Number of pages213
- Rating
Search results for Alphabets to Order: The Literature of Nineteenth-Century...
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Alphabets to Order: The Literature of Nineteenth-Century Typefounders' Specimens
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR014071053
Quantity: 1 available
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Alphabets to Order : The Literature of Nineteenth-Century Typefounders' Specimens.
Published by
Oak Knoll Press, New Castle, first edition, 2000, 2000
ISBN 10: 071234702X
ISBN 13: 9780712347020
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Wykeham Books, LONDON, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cloth, 4to, 29 cm, 213 pp, plates, ills. From the blurb: - "Alphabets To Order provides an erudite and entertaining survey of an overlooked artform - the literary output of the anonymous craftsmen who set type specimen books during the typefounding boom of the nineteenth century. Combining typographic scholarship and literary criticism, Alastair Johnston explores the apparent randomness of the texts that typesetters used to show off their typefaces. Discussing hundreds of examples from British and North American specimen books, Johnston shows that the typefounders' 'nonsense' reflected their interests and preoccupations from the arcane to the mundane. Through this new lens, we see that the specimen books had plenty to say about the reading habits, politics, amusements and whimsies of the day. Johnston argues persuasively that the typefounders' specimens are of significant literary interest as well. Playing both with words and with the graphic shapes of the letterforms, these nameless pioneers trod paths later explored by concrete poets, book artists, dadaists, performance artists and other experimenters with literary form. Alphabets to Order is for anyone interested in vernacular art, typographic history, or literary studies, combining all three in a fresh exposé of a new class of cultural hero - the worldly wise typesticker." As New. Seller Inventory # ABE-16242
Quantity: 1 available
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Alphabets to Order: The Literature of Nineteenth-Century Typefounders' Specimens
Seller: Anybook.com, Lincoln, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,1000grams, ISBN:9780712347020. Seller Inventory # 8984273
Quantity: 1 available
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Alphabets to Order: The Literature of Nineteenth-Century Typefounders* Specimens
Seller: dsmbooks, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Very Good. book. Seller Inventory # D7S9-1-M-071234702X-4
Quantity: 1 available