Pictorial Webster'sA Visual Dictionary of Curiosities

Pictorial Webster's
A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities

7.21.09 websters 1.jpg It is difficult for us to write about this new publication without using the words awesome, amazing and amazingly awesome. Our knee-jerk reaction when we learned of this book was not to use our grown-up words in a measured display of genuine interest. No, we pretty much freaked out. The Pictorial Webster's is a compendium of over 1,500 original engravings from 19th century Webster's dictionaries. Allow us to attempt to control ourselves for a moment longer to give you more information...

7.21.09 websters 2.jpg John M. Carrera, a fine-press bookmaker, has compiled these engravings, restoring and cleaning them, into this gorgeous historical record. The Pictorial Webster's, published by Chronicle Books, is an unusual visual reference that ranges "from Acorns to Zebras, Bell Jars to Velocipedes." Arranged alphabetically, this volume attempts to "illustrate the items deemed important to the Victorian mind." Yes, please.

So as we researched this Dictionary of Curiosities further, fully expecting to open a small savings account in which to tuck away money so that one day we might be able to purchase a copy, we discovered that a hardcover 5"x7" volume is available for $35.00! We, of course, entered to win the fine press edition (hand-bound in leather with an engraved cover and letter-press interior) here, as well.

We must go, now, and tell others of this amazingly awesome amazingness.

Comments (13)

Want.

posted by mlleErica on July 21st 2009 at 1:56pm
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Oh yeah, buying now. Waiting by the mailbox until it arrives.

posted by shockthebourgeois on July 21st 2009 at 2:04pm
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yessss

posted by travelingrory on July 21st 2009 at 2:14pm
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I'll second mlleErica. Want.

posted by Tiamat_the_Red on July 21st 2009 at 2:44pm
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That is GENIUS. Need it now.

posted by bookgirl on July 21st 2009 at 3:04pm
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You can pick it up on amazon for $23...

posted by geek details on July 21st 2009 at 3:10pm
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So freaking cool.

posted by Cashew on July 21st 2009 at 4:20pm
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Awww... The give-away is available to US residents only. *big sad*

posted by Cashew on July 21st 2009 at 4:23pm
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Very cool. Do those illustrations include any in color?

I saw this book in the library a few months ago. It is insanely beautiful. If you go on abebooks.com, you can find copies (used, probably) for $35. You could buy one to keep and one to cut up for decorating:

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/classics/all/04802/facts.albertus_seba_cabinet_of_natural_curiosities.htm

posted by Mary B C on July 21st 2009 at 4:31pm
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I saw this earlier on notcot and purchased it immediately!

posted by yakimushi on July 21st 2009 at 4:40pm
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Soooooo cool. What a great gift this would make for design-y types.

posted by kellylc on July 21st 2009 at 7:00pm
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Also, Carrera's Pictorial Webster's Wall Cards will be out in August.

posted by KatherineD on July 21st 2009 at 9:15pm
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I've seen the book, it is beautiful. I'm on their mailing list and today Chronicle Books launched their big Friends & Family Summer Sale, so you can get this for 35% off and free shipping with promo code FRIENDS:

http://www.chroniclebooks.com

posted by MFurey on July 22nd 2009 at 7:57pm
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