Semantography - A Non-Alphabetical Symbol Writing Readable In All Languages, A Practical Tool For General International Communication Especially in Science, Industry, Commerce, Traffic, Etc., And For Semantical Education, Based On The Principles of Ideographic Writing And Chemical Symbolism - Complete In Three [3] Volumes

Australia: The Institute for Semantography. Good. 1949. First Edition. Hardcover. Charles Bliss [1897-1985] was a chemical engineer until WWII forced him and his wife to flee Europe. In 1946 they landed in Australia where he directed his full effort to developing what would come to be known as semantography, an easy-to-learn ideographic writing system which would enable people of different languages to communicate. - Wikipedia. Upon its publication in 1949, Bliss wrote to 6,000 educators around the world, seeking to encourage interest in his work, but very little was expressed, although he did hear back from a few, including Bertrand Russell and Julian Huxley. They gave him the courage to carry on. - film "Mr. Symbol Man" xxii, 1-37, XXVIII, 38-90; [28], 91-414; [10], 415-670 pp. Index. Occasional paperclip marks. Four lines of the acknowledgements section stroked out in ballpoint pen, presumably by publisher. Similar corrections to pages 82 and 665. Respectful wear to original blue cloth which is sunned at spines, although all backstrip text remains boldly legible. Narrow openings along each hinge of Volumes I and II. Both hinges of Volume II open. "Should this manuscript find no publisher [which turned out to be the case] I shall supply the greatest libraries with a duplicated copy, in the hope that a future researcher may come across and use it. I inform him that I shall deposit all my former manuscripts and notebooks with the library of Columbia University, New York. And I wish him luck." - page 663. Decades later, semantography, subsequently renamed Blissymbolics, has proven helpful in allowing the disabled to communicate. A rare first edition copy of this most unique and fascinating treatise.; 4to .