Pictorial Webster's

Visual Dictionary of Curiosities

Sep 12, 2009

A dictionary made entirely of illustrations, a stamp set and box of wall cards reveal history from the silent viewpoint of artists.

John Carrera has produced something absolutely beautiful in Pictorial Webster's. This visual dictionary of curiosities, as he calls it, seems quite simple at first glance, merely a book of drawings. But beyond the initial peek, a reader is taken back in history through an incredible collection of drawings that Mr. Carrerra restored from their original engravings. These pages were used to illustrate Webster's dictionaries in the 19th century, and an examination of the book is like stepping into a very different time in history.

The Engravings

The pictures shown in Pictorial are prints of the original designs which were engraved on small wooden blocks that still exist today, and are housed at Yale University.

There are more than 400 pages of illustrations in Pictorial Webster's. One could easily lose a an afternoon daydreaming over the pictures. For example, the letter "A" includes a simple yet accurate drawing of an Alewife fish, a profile of a black man labeled "African Race," and an illustration of the arteries running through the human body. Very few words are used, other than the descriptive titles necessary (or in some cases not so necessary) to annotate the engravings.

Notes and Commentary

The back of the book includes a significant notes-and-commentary section, which provides information about Webster's pictures and how their continued reliance upon illustration rather than photography set them apart from other dictionary publishers. Mr. Carrerra's insights, thoughts and opinions provide useful, and thought-provoking, commentary that helps a reader enjoy the book in a more enlightened manner.

Sourcebook for Creativity

Mr. Carrera includes a section in Pictorial called "Sourcebook for Creativity," wherein he ponders the idea that there is truly no original creation, that all new ideas are reinventions of old, and that creativity is enhanced by building upon the ideas of others. As such, it is suggested that the illustrations on these pages can be used as a source of creativity for the reader. Mr. Carrera says, "We went through a phase in my family where my children would beg me to make up bedtime stories based on the images contained in the book."

Gift Sets

The publisher has created, from the book, two additional items that would make lovely gifts, either in their own right or combined in a set. First is the Pictorial Webster's Stamp Set, a collection of flora and fauna from the book that would make delightful additions to correspondence, packages and art and craft projects.

Also available is the set of Wall Cards, which are like flash cards of "icons and curiosities" from A to Z, which are printed on heavy cardstock with bold lettering. There are 26 cards, one for each letter of the alphabet, which could be framed and hung, or propped up as a lovely piece of historical art.

Summary

The book itself, Pictorial Webster's, while filed with intellectually thought-provoking commentary, is also quite inspiring for some old-fashioned gazing. It is window shopping into the past. This book would be a wonderful gift for history lovers, artists, printers, or writers. It is inspiring for children as well as adults. The addition of the cards and stamps makes an impressive and unique gift that could be well enjoyed in any home.

The copyright of the article Pictorial Webster's in Craft Books is owned by Trevy Thomas. Permission to republish Pictorial Webster's in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.