The Book of Signs

2016 Reprint of 1930 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Rudolf Koch (1876 - 1934) was a German type designer. He was also a master of lettering, calligraphy, typography and illustration. Commonly known for his typefaces created for the Klingspor Type Foundry, his most widely used typefaces include Neuland and Kabel. Koch's "Book of Signs", translated into English in 1930, illustrates, with short explanations, 493 old-world symbols, monograms and runes. Provides a rich repository of signs divided into the following categories: General Signs The Cross Monogram of Christ or Chrismon Other Christian Signs The Monogram Stonemason's Signs The Four Elements Astronomical Signs Astrological Signs Botanical Signs Chemical Signs House and Holdings marks Signs from Various Sources Runes

This unusual collection of primitive and medieval symbols provides one of the most fertile single sources of decorative ideas available today. It is also a graphic history of the development of written communication and offers a singular insight into the psychology of the primitive mind.
The Book of Signs contains 493 classified and documented illustrations, collected, drawn, and explained by the celebrated typographer Rudolf Koch. Divided into 14 different categories, it includes General Signs, The Cross, Monogram of Christ, Other Christian Signs, Monograms of Medieval Church and State Leaders, Stone Masons' Signs, The Four Elements, Astronomical Signs, Astrological Signs, Botanical Signs, Chemical Signs, House and Holding Marks, Miscellany, and Runes.
"Provides the contemporary artist with a rich design vocabulary on which to improvise."—Art in Focus.
"An inspiration to graphic artists everywhere."—Graphis.
"An artistic and typographical achievement of considerable beauty and worth."—Psychiatric Quarterly.
Unabridged republication of the English translation originally published by the First Edition Club of London, 1930.