Books Before Typography: A Primer of Information About the Invention of the Alphabet and the History of Book-Making Up to the Invention of Movable Typestypographic Technical Series for Apprentices #49

Written in the early 20th century, 'Books Before Typography' by Frederick W. Hamilton provides a historical overview of written communication, tracing the evolution of the alphabet and the history of book-making leading up to the invention of movable type. This primer serves as foundational knowledge for young printers and those interested in the significance of printed materials. It discusses early writing systems, such as pictographs and inscriptions from cultures like the Egyptians and Assyrian-Babylonians, highlighting advancements that shaped modern writing and printing practices.