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Pantographia: Containing Accurate Copies Of All The Known Alphabets In The World
Pantographia by Edmund Fry, London 1799, contains more than two hundred alphabets.
This book is full of curiosities, like Chaldean 1. Fry traces this to the French scholar and astrologer Jacques Gaffarel (1601 - 1681). There is a woodcut depicting the hemispheres and their constellations, from which Fry drew his Cælestial alphabet. Gaffarel in turn borrowed the alphabet from Guillaume Postel (1510 - 1581), the polyglot French linguist, astronomer, Christian Cabalist, and diplomat. However, Postel was not its creator; it first appeared in the third book of Agrippa’s De Occulta Philosophia.
Many of the characters were expressly cut by Fry for his book. Pantographia has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature.
As you delve into "Pantographia," you'll uncover the hidden meanings behind each letter and symbol, gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context in which they evolved. From the cuneiform tablets of Mesopotamia to the elegant calligraphy of China, Fry's comprehensive study illuminates the diversity and complexity of writing systems across the ages. Whether you're a linguistics enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the origins of writing, "Pantographia" is an invaluable resource that will deepen your appreciation for the power and beauty of human language. Join Edmund Fry on a journey through the written word and unlock the secrets of civilizations past.
This book is full of curiosities, like Chaldean 1. Fry traces this to the French scholar and astrologer Jacques Gaffarel (1601 - 1681). There is a woodcut depicting the hemispheres and their constellations, from which Fry drew his Cælestial alphabet. Gaffarel in turn borrowed the alphabet from Guillaume Postel (1510 - 1581), the polyglot French linguist, astronomer, Christian Cabalist, and diplomat. However, Postel was not its creator; it first appeared in the third book of Agrippa’s De Occulta Philosophia.
Many of the characters were expressly cut by Fry for his book. Pantographia has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature.
As you delve into "Pantographia," you'll uncover the hidden meanings behind each letter and symbol, gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context in which they evolved. From the cuneiform tablets of Mesopotamia to the elegant calligraphy of China, Fry's comprehensive study illuminates the diversity and complexity of writing systems across the ages. Whether you're a linguistics enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the origins of writing, "Pantographia" is an invaluable resource that will deepen your appreciation for the power and beauty of human language. Join Edmund Fry on a journey through the written word and unlock the secrets of civilizations past.
- GenresHistory
350 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 3, 2023
I have the black letter press version, which is a fantastic object. It is a very interesting read, and the collection of alphabets is vast. The quantity and variety of the alphabets is amazing and engrossing.
It is a book written in a different time though, which is displayed in spades in the author’s intro and in his commentary throughout. The publisher has a much better discussion on this topic in their intro.
It is a book written in a different time though, which is displayed in spades in the author’s intro and in his commentary throughout. The publisher has a much better discussion on this topic in their intro.
April 1, 2023
What a wonderful and fun little book. I have the Black Letter Press edition which is very nice indeed and I pick it up to peruse regularly, and even find useful every now and then
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews