Comprehensive archive by two of the world's foremost collectors of pictorial symbols. Their pictures, rendered from rare illustrations, extend from ancient Chinese lotus buds to a basket of flowers in a 19th-century Valentine silhouette. Includes the symbolic meaning of every known species -- from absinth to zinnia. Over 200 black-and-white designs and illustrations.

244 representations, symbols, and manuscript pages of devils and death from Ancient Egypt to 1913. Fascinating graphics depict demons, witches and warlocks, the Danse Macabre, Hell and Damnation, the Art of Dying, more. Works by Dürer, Cranach, Holbein, Rembrandt, others.

2012 Reprint of 1962 Edition. Exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. The authors recount the many voyages, expeditions, intrigues and wars it took to bring the food and plants we take for granted to our doorsteps. The authors provide hundreds of curious and little known facts surrounding such items as cereals, stimulants, coffees, teas, colas, cocoas, beers, whiskies, cotton, sugar rubber, the potato, tomato, peanut and numerous other items. The book contains 200 illustrations culled from old herbals and rare manuscripts, making this volume a useful pictorial history and sourcebook for artists, folklorists and collectors.

2012 Reprint of 1960 Edition. Exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. In this unique and fascinating book, two collectors of pictorial symbols tell the story of flower symbolism, explaining its religious, magical and legendary significance and revealing hundreds of curious and little know facts. This is an essential work for folklorists, for artists and designers in all fields, for botanical and gardening specialists, and for all those who would be familiar with the hidden language of flowers, plants and trees. Profusely illustrated.

Intriguing pictorial archive of werewolves, serpents, mermaids, and other fabulous creatures, accompanied by an engrossing text with tales from around the world. Dramatic images of the sphinx, centaur, and the plumed serpent-bird of the Aztecs, as well as pictures of the whale, octopus, armadillo, and other real animals once associated with supernatural powers. 317 illustrations.