Artists' Monograms and Indiscernible Signatures: An International Directory, 1800-1991

by John Castagno

Overview

This is the first comprehensive book dealing solely with artists' monograms and signatures that are difficult to identify. This volume includes some 5,200 signatures of 3,700 artists worldwide, with information on nationality and the most up-to-date birth and death dates, and a broad listing of reference sources. The identities of artists who sign their work with monograms or indiscernible signatures are not common knowledge, and identification has always been a particular problem for researchers, collectors, dealers, and art and auction galleries. With special chapters for monograms and initials; symbols and oriental signatures; Cyrillics; illegible signatures/monograms/initials and Hebraic; alternate surname signatures; and common last name signatures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810824157
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	09/01/1991
Series:	Cartwheel Learning Bookshelf Series
Pages:	560
Product dimensions:	8.82(w) x 11.48(h) x 1.57(d)

About the Author

John Castagno is a multimedia artist and sculptor. He has been an art researcher for the past forty years and also lectures on art and on art as an investment. Mr. Castagno's recent books include Abstract Artists: Signatures and Monograms, An International Directory, From 1900 (2007), American Artists II: Signatures and Monograms, From 1800 (2007), Artists' Monograms and Indiscernible Signatures II: An International Directory, From 1900 (2007), and European Artists II: Signatures and Monograms, From 1800 (2007).

Editorial Reviews

...essential to any art dealer, collector, and library or scholar.

The Antiquer's Guide

... a basic resource for this special art reference field.

American Reference Books Annual

Art researchers have always had difficulty identifying these initials and marks, but Castagno has made their jobs much easier.

Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie

...perhaps the most important signature directory ever published because it catalogues exactly those names that dealers, collectors, appraisers, and other experts have the most trouble deciphering.

Antiques and Collectibles

The work is accurate....more up to date than H.H. Caplan's...and Radway Jackson's...and it contains a larger number of difficult signatures....recommended for larger museum and research libraries.

Choice Reviews

The work is accurate....more up to date than H.H. Caplan's...and Radway Jackson's...and it contains a larger number of difficult signatures....recommended for larger museum and research libraries.

Choice

Art researchers have always had difficulty identifying these initials and marks, but Castagno has made their jobs much easier.--Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie

... a basic resource for this special art reference field.--American Reference Books Annual

...essential to any art dealer, collector, and library or scholar.--The Antiquer's Guide

From the Publisher

The work is accurate....more up to date than H.H. Caplan's...and Radway Jackson's...and it contains a larger number of difficult signatures....recommended for larger museum and research libraries.

CHOICE

Art researchers have always had difficulty identifying these initials and marks, but Castagno has made their jobs much easier.

Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie

Art researchers have always had difficulty identifying these initials and marks, but Castagno has made their jobs much easier.

Zentralblatt fur Geologie und Palaontologie

Art researchers have always had difficulty identifying these initials and marks, but Castagno has made their jobs much easier.

College & Research Libraries News

... a basic resource for this special art reference field.

American Reference Books Annual (ARBA)

A comprehensive directory dealing solely with artists' monograms and signatures that are difficult to identify, including 5,200 signatures of 3,700 artists worldwide and offering information on nationality, birth and death dates, and a broad listing of reference sources from standard and secondary publications. The signatures fall into six specific categories: monograms, symbols, Cyrillic signatures, illegible signatures, common last names, and alternative surnames. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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