Alphabetical Wonders

In Bologna, Italy in 1839, decorative artist Antonio Basoli published a fantastic set of lithographs for his book, Alfabeto Pittorico (Pictorial Alphabet, or a collection of pictorial thoughts composed of objects beginning with the individual letters of the alphabet). His elaborate architectural drawings of twenty-four letters of the alphabet and one ampersand (sorry J & W), became later known as Basoli's Alphabet. View all of them in this video below.

Basoli wasn't the first and only to propose this idea of architectural alphabets. In 1773, Johann David Steingruber published his book of palatial plans, Architectonisches Alphabeth, where he designed grand construction plans based on the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. To learn more, read Giornale Nuovo's post on Steingruber's alphabetical wonders, which is fortunately, still on life support. You can also read his dispatch on Basoli's Alphabet here.

Vintage Sign Art of the Nutmegger Workshop

 

Peter Vogel of Nutmegger Workshop in Portland, Oregon produces handcrafted sign art that celebrates the historic typography of an earlier era—when the only thing Oregon was known for was the Trail. And he does it very well I might add!

Welcome Mat

Beautiful tiled floor in the entrance hall of an abandoned factory in Prague from the late 19th century. SALVE means hail or (in this case) welcome in latin. It would be a welcome sight to see these tiles permanently preserved.
:: Another great image from photographer/designer Goran Patlejch.