Skip to content

The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering,
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography) Paperback - 2011

by Diringer, David


From the publisher

A remarkable work. . . . For sheer weight of information there is no equal to it. -- The Spectator.
It is probable that the earliest books were written on wood or leaves as early as the fourth millennium B.C. These fragile materials, unfortunately, have not come down to us. In their absence, the earliest surviving books are the clay tablets of Mesopotamia, the oldest attributed to c. 3500 B.C. On these ancient clay shards, dense rows of cuneiform script record the seminal writings of mankind: the Gilgamesh epic, Sumerian literary catalogues, Babylonian astrology, Assyrian accounts of the Creation and the Flood, and the Lipit-Ishtar Law-Code (c. 2000 B.C.), predating Hammurabi and the oldest law code in human history.
Probably as ancient as the Mesopotamian writings, or nearly so, are Egyptian hieroglyphics. In a sense, it is the papyrus scrolls of the Egyptians -- preserved by that country's hot, dry climate -- that represent the true ancestors of the modern book. As the centuries passed, papyrus slowly gave way to parchment (the prepared skins of animals) as writing material. Indeed, the handwritten parchment or vellum codex is the book par excellence of the Middle Ages. Western European book production is only part of the story, and the author is at pains to illuminate the bibliographic contributions of numerous peoples and cultures: Greek and Roman book production, books made in central and southern Asia, the books of Africa, pre-Columbian America, and the Far East -- material that is often not mentioned in Western histories of the book.
Based on years of painstaking research and incorporating a wealth of new material and conclusions, the text is enhanced throughout by abundant illustrations -- nearly 200 photographic facsimiles of priceless manuscripts in museums and libraries around the world.

Details

  • Title The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)
  • Author Diringer, David
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 604
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Dover Publications, Mineola, New York, U.S.A.
  • Date 2011-11
  • ISBN 9780486242439
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental

The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental

by Diringer, David

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780486242439
ISBN 10
0486242439
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$16.01
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Dover Publications, 2011. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$16.01
FREE shipping to USA
The Book Before Printing : Ancient, Medieval and Oriental

The Book Before Printing : Ancient, Medieval and Oriental

by David Diringer

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780486242439
ISBN 10
0486242439
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$16.01
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Dover Publications, Incorporated, 2011. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$16.01
FREE shipping to USA
The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)

The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)

by David Diringer

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used; Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780486242439
ISBN 10
0486242439
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Port Neches, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$20.19
NZ$11.06 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Used; Very Good. 15-E-15 Dover Publications 2011 Paperback. Text is clean and unmarked. Covers have light wear. Spine is tight. Book Condition; Very Good . 1986. TRADE PAPERBACK.
Item Price
NZ$20.19
NZ$11.06 shipping to USA
The Book Before Printing : Ancient, Medieval and Oriental
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Book Before Printing : Ancient, Medieval and Oriental

by Diringer, David

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780486242439
ISBN 10
0486242439
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$21.71
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Dover Publications, Incorporated. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$21.71
FREE shipping to USA
The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)

by Diringer, David

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780486242439
ISBN 10
0486242439
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$22.62
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Dover Publications, 2011-11-17. First Edition. paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
NZ$22.62
FREE shipping to USA
The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)

by Diringer, David

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780486242439
ISBN 10
0486242439
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Waltham Abbey, Essex, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$32.25
NZ$19.07 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Dover Publications. Used - Good. Ships from UK in 48 hours or less (usually same day). Your purchase helps support Sri Lankan Children's Charity 'The Rainbow Centre'. Ex-library, so some stamps and wear, but in good overall condition. 100% money back guarantee. We are a world class secondhand bookstore based in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom and specialize in high quality textbooks across an enormous variety of subjects. We aim to provide a vast range of textbooks, rare and collectible books at a great price. Our donations to The Rainbow Centre have helped provide an education and a safe haven to hundreds of children who live in appalling conditions. We provide a 100% money back guarantee and are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest standards of service in the bookselling industry.
Item Price
NZ$32.25
NZ$19.07 shipping to USA
The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Mediaeval and Oriental: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Mediaeval and Oriental: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)

by Diringer, David

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780486242439
ISBN 10
0486242439
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, London, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$40.75
NZ$42.60 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Dover Publications Inc., 24/02/1986 00:00:01. paperback. Very Good. 3.7971 in x 21.1839 in x 13.7895 in.
Item Price
NZ$40.75
NZ$42.60 shipping to USA
The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)

by Diringer, David

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780486242439
ISBN 10
0486242439
Quantity Available
1
Seller
San Diego, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$74.56
NZ$9.21 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Dover Publications, 2011-11-17. Paperback. New. In shrink wrap.
Item Price
NZ$74.56
NZ$9.21 shipping to USA
The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)

by Diringer, David

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used:Good
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780486242439
ISBN 10
0486242439
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$102.47
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Dover Publications, 2011-11-17. First Edition. paperback. Used:Good.
Item Price
NZ$102.47
FREE shipping to USA
The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)

by Diringer, David

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780486242439
ISBN 10
0486242439
Quantity Available
1
Seller
San Diego, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$106.17
NZ$9.21 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Dover Publications, 2011-11-17. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
Item Price
NZ$106.17
NZ$9.21 shipping to USA