“A comprehensive, profusely illustrated guide to more than 1,500 trademarks from all over the world.”
Written and compiled by Yasaburo Kuwayama, every page of the 1973 volume one — Alphabetical Designs — can be seen on trademarksandsymbols.com
A couple of excerpts…
History of marks: Origins in the West
“The use of identifying marks in the West dates back to ancient Greece, as is indicated on potters’ marks on articles excavated from the area of the Corinth and thought to be 4,000 years old. Also, symbols are inscribed on artefacts recovered from ancient Egyptian tombs. During the fifth and fourth centuries B.C., Mediterranean trade expanded, markets were formed, and the use of identifying marks increased.”
Necessary materials for deciding upon a mark
“When requesting that a designer produce a mark, the client should provide the designer with the necessary materials, as follows. (1) He should be informed of the present nature and future plans of the company or organisation. (2) Information on the objects to which the mark will be affixed (or inscribed, stamped, etc.). What is the nature of the products, types, size, varieties, and materials used to produce them? (3) Media: What type of ads and other media applications are planned? What materials are likely to be used for specific applications, such as large outdoor advertising? (4) The designer should also be briefed on the relation the mark is to have, if any, with other marks used by the company or by related companies.”
Used copies are available on Amazon.com (.co.uk), as is the second volume — Symbolical Designs (Amazon.com, .co.uk). Not cheap, though.
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