Codex Seraphinianus

Luigi Serafini

ISBN 10: 0847843092 / ISBN 13: 9780847843091

Published by Rizzoli International Publications, Inc., New York City, 2013

About this Item

Illustrated covers are mostly clean, with gilt text and color illustration. Corners are sharp. Spine has gilt text and is bright with firm ends. Binding is tight. See photos. End papers/ pastedowns show little to no sign of age or wear. Illustrations are bright and clear. Interior exhibits minimal signs of age and wear. Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks. Ta-Roc Seraphiniani card, signed by the artist, numbered 56/150, is present at front of clamshell case. Card has slight crease at right side. See photos. Explanatory booklet, in several languages, is present at back cover. Clamshell case of red cloth over boards has gilt decoration and text. Exhibits smudges at upper front, some bumping to lower edge, gilt effaced on spine. See photos.** PS2024.1121** 9 x 13 3/8 inches** A near fine copy of the deluxe, signed and numbered limited edition of Luigi Serafini's Codex Seraphinianus, in its original very good red cloth clamshell case. The Codex was originally published by Franco Maria Ricci in 1981; this deluxe edition from Rizzoli is folio-sized and features a new introduction by Serafini, plus a signed viewing card and booklet of interpretation, all housed in a presentation clamshell box.** Luigi Serafini (b. 1949) is an Italian artist and designer based in Milan. He is best known for creating the Codex Seraphinianus, an illustrated encyclopedia of imaginary things in what is believed to be a constructed language. In a talk at the Oxford University Society of Bibliophiles held on 11 May 2009, Serafini stated that there is no meaning hidden behind the script of the Codex, which is asemic; that his own experience in writing it was closely similar to automatic writing; and that what he wanted his alphabet to convey to the reader is the sensation that children feel in front of books they cannot yet understand.** Edition of 600 copies, 300 in Italian and 300 in English. Signed and numbered by the author. This is copy #281/600.** "Postage for oversized and international shipping will be calculated by size and weight. AbeBooks shipping quotes are ESTIMATES only. Seller Inventory #010111"**.

Seller Inventory # 010111

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Codex Seraphinianus
• Publisher: Rizzoli International Publications, Inc., New York City
• Publication Date: 2013
• Language: Multiple languages
• ISBN 10: 0847843092
• ISBN 13: 9780847843091
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Luigi Serafini
• Edition: Limited Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Weight: 144 ounces
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • First, Signed, Collectible, Limited Editions
  • Foreign Language
  • Art & Artists

About this title

Synopsis

An extraordinary and surreal art book, this edition has been redesigned by the author and includes new illustrations. Deluxe numbered, limited edition of 600 w/signed card. Ever since the Codex Seraphinianus was first published in 1981, the book has been recognized as one of the strangest and most beautiful art books ever made. This visual encyclopedia of an unknown world written in an unknown language has fueled much debate over its meaning. Written for the information age and addressing the import of coding and decoding in genetics, literary criticism, and computer science, the Codex confused, fascinated, and enchanted a generation. While its message may be unclear, its appeal is obvious: it is a most exquisite artifact. Blurring the distinction between art book and art object, this anniversary edition-redesigned by the author and featuring new illustrations-presents this unique work in a new, unparalleled light. With the advent of new media and forms of communication and continuous streams of information, the Codex is now more relevant and timely than ever.

About the Author

Luigi Serafini is an architect, ceramist, glazier, painter, sculptor, designer, opera director, set designer, and critic who works in Italy and abroad. In 2007, the Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea in Milan dedicated a successful mostra ontological (ontological exhibition) to him. He has illustrated works by Franz Kafka and Michael Ende.