Basic by Isotype

London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co, 1937. First edition of Austrian philosopher Otto Neurath’s illustrated companion to Basic English, a practical demonstration of his Isotype system of education “through the eye.” Founder of the International Foundation for the Promotion of Visual Education at the Hague, Neurath imagined a global language of icons that would transcend linguistic and cultural difference. He called this visual language Isotype: “International System of Typographic Picture Education.” In this volume, Neurath pairs Isotype signs with key words in Basic English, a controlled subset of English words and rules devised by the British philosopher Charles Kay Ogden in his own attempt to establish a universal language. Ogden contributes the prefatory note to this volume, which opens with a folding table of Basic English vocabulary and rules, followed by hundreds of examples of Neurath’s Isotype signs. A near-fine example of an influential work of utopian linguistics and modern graphic design, warmly inscribed by Otto Neurath. Single volume, measuring 6 x 3.75 inches: 130, [2]. Green cloth spine, original buff paper boards lettered in green and priced at 2/6, pastedown spine label. Folding table of Basic English facing title. Black and red illustrations throughout text; two pages of publisher’s ads at rear. Inscribed by Otto Neurath in the year of publication: “Der lieben Ann / mit herzlichen Grüßen! / Auf Wiedersehn! / Otto / Juni 1937.” Spine label rubbed, text block slightly shaken. (Inventory #: 1004076)