I have a copy of Otto Neurath’s classic work: International Picture Language, published in 1936.
Recently I discovered that similar copies are for sale on Abebooks at between $1,250 and $3,500.
It’s crazy to have this sitting on my bookshelf, so I am raffling my copy to raise funds for the amazing people at Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).
Rob Waller, Feb 2026
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About the book
I bought it about 30 years ago in a London bookstore for 40 pence. It’s a fabulous book, explaining the principles of Isotype and written in Basic English – the plain language system developed by CK Ogden and IA Richards. You can read it online.
How to enter the raffle
It’s a raffle – everyone pays in but only one person gets the prize.
But you don’t have to send me any money. Make a donation to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and send me their thank-you email as proof (rob.waller@iiid.net). I will then enter you in the draw.
The draw will take place on 27 May 2026, when the Symbol Group are holding a conference in Vienna to celebrate the 90th anniversary of this book. I will then mail the book to the winner (unless you are at the conference, of course).
Your donation
Please give £25 to MSF, or the equivalent in your currency (for example, €30, $35, Can$45, A$50, ¥5300). Or more, obviously!
Second prize
The second name to come out of the hat will get an original sketch by Marie Neurath – one of those in the picture. They were left with me by Marie when Michael Macdonald-Ross and I did a project with her in 1975.