looking for ABCs--but not for kids
December 31, 2009 6:50 AM Subscribe
Please help me find a wonderful alphabet poster or print!
I'm looking for a poster or print (framed or unframed) that shows an ancient alphabet--or any alphabet that uses characters that are different from the standard English ABCs. NOT looking for different fonts of our standard ABCs--I'm looking for completely different characters. Also NOT looking for a typical whimsical children's alphabet poster --this is for a wall in my home library. I remember seeing one years ago that I loved that showed ancient Egyptian characters--by the time I saved enough money to purchase it, it was no longer available. Any ideas out there? Googling hasn't helped me. Thanks, and Happy New Year to all!
I'm looking for a poster or print (framed or unframed) that shows an ancient alphabet--or any alphabet that uses characters that are different from the standard English ABCs. NOT looking for different fonts of our standard ABCs--I'm looking for completely different characters. Also NOT looking for a typical whimsical children's alphabet poster --this is for a wall in my home library. I remember seeing one years ago that I loved that showed ancient Egyptian characters--by the time I saved enough money to purchase it, it was no longer available. Any ideas out there? Googling hasn't helped me. Thanks, and Happy New Year to all!
Response by poster: I'll take a closer look at these, sciencegeek--thank you!
Colorful is fine! I'm just not looking for something really kid-like--such as an adorable duck next to the letter D. (perfect for a kids room--just not for my library!)
posted by bookmammal at 7:27 AM on December 31, 2009
Colorful is fine! I'm just not looking for something really kid-like--such as an adorable duck next to the letter D. (perfect for a kids room--just not for my library!)
posted by bookmammal at 7:27 AM on December 31, 2009
I've always loved Edward Gorey's "The Gashlycrumb Tinies"
"A is for Amy who fell down the stairs. B is for Basil assaulted by bears. C is for Clara who wasted away. D is for Desmond thrown out of a sleigh..."
posted by Epsilon-minus semi moron at 7:44 AM on December 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
"A is for Amy who fell down the stairs. B is for Basil assaulted by bears. C is for Clara who wasted away. D is for Desmond thrown out of a sleigh..."
posted by Epsilon-minus semi moron at 7:44 AM on December 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
er Gastlycrumb
posted by Epsilon-minus semi moron at 7:45 AM on December 31, 2009
posted by Epsilon-minus semi moron at 7:45 AM on December 31, 2009
Funnily enough, I've been hunting for an alphabet I like for the nursery, and I came across these oddly classified posters (Japanois and Orientaux) that might work for you. I have no idea why they show up under "children's education" on Allposters.com, since they're obviously more adult in style. Anyway, I have no idea if they might suit your library, but I thought they were worth pointing out.
posted by katie at 7:47 AM on December 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by katie at 7:47 AM on December 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
Oh, and two more by the same artist: Tartares and Egiptien. I think it would be cool to get at least two or three of these gathered on one wall.
posted by katie at 8:04 AM on December 31, 2009
posted by katie at 8:04 AM on December 31, 2009
Epsilon-minus, see also the Hans Holbein Alphabet of Death. Here's a hieroglyphic alphabet. I like this 1900 poster of the Welsh alphabet, myself.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:14 AM on December 31, 2009
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:14 AM on December 31, 2009
Here is a list of alphabet posters that I put together on one of those (slightly embarrassing) product collating sites a while ago. These tend more toward ABC posters, but they might give you some ideas.
posted by sciencegeek at 8:53 AM on December 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by sciencegeek at 8:53 AM on December 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
Some hieroglyphic alphabet posters:
1 (ebay), 2 (ebay), 3 (pricey, also available elsewhere), 4 (mini version of 3), 5, 6, 7, 8 (only 8"x12"), 9 (the Fabric Wall Hanging and the Hieroglyphic Alphabet Poster, which is a smaller version of 1).
posted by sentient at 2:05 PM on December 31, 2009
1 (ebay), 2 (ebay), 3 (pricey, also available elsewhere), 4 (mini version of 3), 5, 6, 7, 8 (only 8"x12"), 9 (the Fabric Wall Hanging and the Hieroglyphic Alphabet Poster, which is a smaller version of 1).
posted by sentient at 2:05 PM on December 31, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sciencegeek at 7:14 AM on December 31, 2009