Marks of Excellence: The History and Taxonomy of Trademarks

Marks of Excellence: The History and Taxonomy of Trademarks by Mollerup, Per. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780714838380.

Finding the roots of trademarks in heraldry, potters marks, monograms, and other such ancient devices, this book traces the history of the corporate visual lexicon and produces a taxonomy of the commercial age. An alphabetical section covers motifs from animals to waves, with short definitions and analyses beautifully complemented by daringly cropped and crisply photographed images. Pictures of this quality and interest would steal the show in most volumes, but the text stands up well to the challenge of images that gain force because of the familiarity of their subjects (corporate trademarks), and the unusual sense that the books context lends to them. Marks of Excellence is a worthwhile exploration at the modern language of ownership.