How to use the Chinese abacus
Date
Credits
- F. S. Tom Author
Format
- Booklet 146
Typefaces
Media
- paper 2330
Techniques
- lithography 249
Printed Pages
Locations Made
- United States 1062
- California 272
- San Mateo
This is a small, introductory booklet on the subject of how to use the Chinese Abacus. Created in 1956, and distributed by Chong Imports out of San Francisco's Chinatown.
In the opening pages, this booklet utilizes pictograms to help individuals learn the ropes. And throughout the booklet, the illustrations reinforce the points made in the associated text. Filled with informational illustrations, as well as decorative iconography, this is a prime example of layout design before computers. (And note the leading exception made for the paragraph with the pictograms so they fit properly.)
Chong Imports was a tourist shop located on the bottom floor of the China Trade Center, which was also home to the famed Empress of China restaurant. These little known, and generally overlooked pieces of design are nuggets of inspiration in a sea of modern ephemera.
Width: 4.25"
Height: 5.375"
Pages: 48
Author: F. S. Tom
Copyright: 1956
Printed: Gary Horn Graphics, San Mateo, CA
