This thick little book is full of over 1500 engravings that originally came from the 19th century Webster’s dictionary. All those thumbnail images that helped explain the definitions are now collected in one book. As a kid I remember trying to copy drawings from the big fat dictionary we had in our home. And I’ll probably use this book as inspirations for drawings even now. The drawing in this book are arranged in the same alphabetical way. In some cases unintentional funny juxtapositions happened because of that alphabetical order: a sickle seems about to slice through the silouhette of a woman’s head on one of the S pages, a camel and a snake seem locked in a long stare on another page. Initially conceived as an artist book by printer/artist John M Carrera, this book has been mass produced by Chronicle it so we can all enjoy it. But there is a fine press edition which is hand bound in leather with an engraved book cover and letterpress interior and they are giving one away as a contest right here! Pick up a regular copy of the book here.

© Julia Rothman 2007