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 Types; Typographic Technical Series for Apprentices #49

"Books Before Typography" by Frederick W. Hamilton is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This primer explores the evolution of written communication, tracing the development of the alphabet and the history of book-making up to the invention of movable types. The book aims to provide foundational knowledge for young printers and those interested in the historical significance of printed materials. The opening of the book outlines its ambitious goal of narrating the story of the book from the earliest forms of communication, including pictographs and early writing systems, to the more advanced writing materials like papyrus and vellum. It discusses the significant advancements in writing and recording techniques that enabled humans to convey thoughts across distances, setting the stage for the eventual invention of typography. The text delves into early forms of inscriptions and how various cultures, such as the Egyptians and Assyrian-Babylonians, developed their unique writing systems, shaping the foundation of modern writing and printing practices.