Dover Pictorial Archive Series: Symbols, Signs and Signets

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Reproducing 1355 signs, seals, and symbols in historical sequence, this book spans from simple drawings of celestial bodies to intricate heraldic devices of the Middle Ages and modern cattle brands and hobo sign language. It serves as an invaluable resource for commercial artists and designers, documenting the evolution of human artistry through the lens of graphic art expert Ernst Lehner. The content is organized into 13 sections, each with a brief introduction, covering topics such as Symbolic Gods and Deities (from various cultures), Astronomy and Astrology, Alchemy and Magic (including Nordic runes), Church and Religion, Heraldry (coats of arms), Monsters and Imaginary Figures, Japanese Crests, Marks and Signets (from artisans), Watermarks (14th–18th centuries), Printer's Marks (15th–17th centuries), Cattle Brands, and Hobo Signs. Each sign, symbol, and signet is illustrated in black and white on well-designed pages, accompanied by detailed explanatory notes for both general readers and specialists. This work is a captivating and authoritative exploration for anyone interested in non-verbal communication, making it a practical visual guide for students and teachers in the graphic arts, showcasing the transformation of simple marks into complex emblems.