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! And feel free to give less if you can’t afford it.
MSF is an incredible organisation, bringing medical care to people in the most dangerous and needy situations.
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.