X Stands for Nothing

Welcome to X Stands for Nothing: The Art of Alphabet Books, an exhibition exploring some of the most imaginative alphabet books from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Drawn from the David Blamires Alphabet Book Collection at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, these wonderful works open a window onto the world of alphabets and reveal how these apparently simple books sparked new and sometimes radical ideas about learning, art and childhood.

Throughout the exhibition, we take a closer look at the letters X, Y and Z. Often the trickiest letters to illustrate, these characters have inspired some of the most playful, imaginative and surprising images, inviting children (and adults!) to look, to question and to imagine as they learned their ABCs.

By celebrating the originality of their illustrations, the exhibition highlights how alphabet books are not just part of the story of education and publishing, but also represent an important chapter in the history of art and design—fields that have too often overlooked the contributions of those working in children’s books.

Explore the exhibition's sections by clicking on the images below.