Typically found as a thick hardcover; the physical book is roughly 8.5 x 5.7 x 3.7 inches. Length: Approximately 3,700 pages .
In the world of art, design, and creativity, visual references are essential for sparking imagination and guiding the creative process. For decades, artists, designers, and researchers have relied on comprehensive collections of illustrations to inspire and inform their work. One such treasure trove is the "Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations," a vast repository of images that has been a go-to resource for creatives and researchers alike. In this article, we'll explore the significance of this iconic publication, its contents, and the value it offers to anyone seeking visual inspiration.
. It serves as a vast repository of anecdotes, quotations, and historical facts categorized by topic to help illustrate biblical truths and contemporary "signs of the times". Key Specifications Total Pages : Approximately 3,700 pages
The physical dimensions are approximately 21.59 x 14.48 x 9.4 cm, making it a notably bulky desktop reference.
Wells, a graduate of Oberlin and Andover Theological Seminary, organized his encyclopedia not by artistic merit but by moral affect and thematic necessity . The 15,000 illustrations range from biblical parables (The Good Samaritan) to natural history (the mimicry of the walking stick insect) and industrial allegories (the steam engine as progress). Unlike traditional encyclopedias (Diderot’s, for example), Wells’s work is anti-alphabetical. Instead, it utilizes a hierarchical taxonomy of Virtues, Vices, Natural Phenomena, and Ecclesiastical History. The “18” signature includes critical sections on “The Symbolism of Numbers” and “Typology of the Tabernacle.”
: A digital record and limited preview of the 15,000-illustration edition is maintained on Open Library .
Because of its weight and page count, many users prefer the physical book. Used copies are available on sites like AbeBooks and ThriftBooks .