Heraldic Design: Its Origins, Ancient Forms, and Modern Usage

Rich sourcebook of approximately 500 black-and-white designs traces history and meaning of the shield, symbols, crests, helmets, and blazonry, with special emphasis on such devices as beasts, monsters, human, and part-human figures. American, British, French, and Russian costs of arms are displayed, as are insignias of the clergy, state seals, and modern institutions.