Pantographia - Edmund Fry

Introduced by Jan Düsterhöft

Pantographia by Edmund Fry, London 1799, contains more than two hundred alphabets. 

This book is full of curiosities, like Chaldean 1. Fry traces this to the French scholar and astrologer Jacques Gaffarel (1601 - 1681). There is a woodcut depicting the hemispheres and their constellations, from which Fry drew his Cælestial alphabet. Gaffarel in turn borrowed the alphabet from Guillaume Postel (1510 - 1581), the polyglot French linguist, astronomer, Christian Cabalist, and di­plo­mat. However, Postel was not its creator; it first appeared in the third book of Agrippa’s De Occulta Philosophia. 

Many of the characters were expressly cut by Fry for his book. Pantographia has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature.

As you delve into "Pantographia," you'll uncover the hidden meanings behind each letter and symbol, gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context in which they evolved. From the cuneiform tablets of Mesopotamia to the elegant calligraphy of China, Fry's comprehensive study illuminates the diversity and complexity of writing systems across the ages. Whether you're a linguistics enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the origins of writing, "Pantographia" is an invaluable resource that will deepen your appreciation for the power and beauty of human language. Join Edmund Fry on a journey through the written word and unlock the secrets of civilizations past.