ASTLE, THOMAS.

The Origin and Progress of Writing, as Well Hieroglyphic as Elementary, Illustrated by Engravings Taken from Marbles, Manuscripts and Charters, Ancient and Modern: Also Some Account of the Origin and Progress of Printing.

London J. White 1803 Small quarto. (v), xxiv, 240 pp. Second edition. With numerous plates, all either full-page or fold-out, and several in color. Also with a frontispiece engraved portrait of the author. A survey of historical writing forms, including chapters on Hieroglyphics; The Origin of Letters; The Antiquity of Writing; General Account of Alphabets; The Manner of Writing in Different Ages and Countries; Characters and Signs; Numerals and Numeral Characters; Writers, Ornaments, and Materials for Writing; and an Account of the Origin and Progress of Printing. The engraved plates, several of which are beautifully and delicately colored, illustrate various forms of writing through the ages, including one stunning color plate featuring a full-page initial decorated with strapwork and other intricate designs. This edition of Astle's great work is considered superior to the first edition, and indeed contains "additions" and "improvements" noted in the prefatory matter. In a later binding of marbled-paper boards backed in light brown leather, with matching cornerpieces. Endpapers marbled. Spine in six compartments, lettered in gilt. Binding with minor edgewear and a few scuffs and nicks, interior lightly foxed at preliminaries and fore-edges but otherwise very fine. T.e.g.

• USD 1,250.00 > other currencies
• ordernr.: 21916

• bookseller: Bromer Booksellers Inc. (USA)