Codex Seraphinianus

Sorry about the stupid ammount of images, but I could not help myself. This is something else.

The Codex Seraphinianus is a book written and illustrated by the Italian architect and industrial designer Luigi Serafini during the late 1970s. The book is approximately 360 pages long (depending on edition), and appears to be a visual encyclopedia of an unknown world, written in one of its languages, an incomprehensible (at least for us) alphabetic writing.

One of the strangest books of the 20th Century. Serafini created a world and a language to describe it, and illustrated it in full color. Strange plants and animals, people changing into alligators, very strange clothing, architecture -- all described in a script that might be decipherable, or might not.
Outragious imaginary beasts and life forms, in city scapes and future world scenes, with illustrated dictionary of odd objects. Luigi Serafini, collaborated with Fredrico Fellini on his last film, "La Voce della Luna," after nearly a lifetime as a globetrotter, architect, historian, gastronomer, and costume designer.

Cottoncandyhammer has been kind enough to scan it and put it online (view slideshow). Among other things. Large image files available by clicking on "all sizes".

This might just be the most insanely imaginative and beautiful thing I've ever seen.

Might have to start saving money...

See also the Voynich Manuscript.

Many thanks Agent K!