Codex Seraphinianus: World's Strangest Book
/codex-seraphinianus-the-9769.jpg "Codex Seraphinianus: The Strangest Book Ever Made")
- The Voynich Manuscript: The Mysterious Code That Has Defied Interpretation for Centuries - $18.97
- Guillermo del Toro Cabinet of Curiosities: My Notebooks, Collections, and Other Obsessions - $36.00
- A Book of Surrealist Games - $11.96
- Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs - $22.41
- The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black - $17.30
First published in 1981, the radically strange and unparalleled Codex Seraphinianus took Italian architect, illustrator, and industrial designer Luigi Serafini 2-1/2 years to complete. What is it? Aside from floating in the general sphere of "art" no one really knows. The nearly 400-page book's illustrations are only slightly less inexplicable than the unknown language that accompanies them. While oddly captivating, and possibly the Most Interesting Coffee Table Book in the World, trying to decipher and understand the Codex Seraphinianus has long been an exercise in futility.
Speculated to be an homage to--or copy of--the Voynich manuscript, a to-date undecipherable codex hand-written in the early 15th century, the Codex Seraphinianus is getting a 2013 facelift courtesy of Serafini himself, who has redesigned its layout and added new illustrations. The visual encyclopedia still contains 11 chapters, which divide its bizarro world into two parts, nature and people.
In my opinion, the greatest implication...and warning... we can take away from the Codex Seraphinianus is this: be careful who you get it on with because there is a good chance that the two of you will turn into an alligator post-coitus.
DudeIWantThat.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
SIGMO Instant 25-Language Voice Translator
When I meet an attractive and well-endowed Portuguese exchange student, I feel that talk is overrated. Body language suits me juuust fine. However, when I'm lost on the streets of Istanbul and the only person willing...
/corporate-nonsense-generator-59494.jpg?mode=crop "Corporate Nonsense Generator Fidget Toy")
Corporate Nonsense Generator Fidget Toy
You say "Corporate Nonsense Generator," I say, "Corporate Bullshit Generator," Uncommon Goods? Why? Because you're a corporation that has to proactively leverage deliverables for stakeholders, and I am a normal human...
/pilot-real-time-in-ear-22319.jpg "Pilot Real-Time In-Ear Translator")
Pilot Real-Time In-Ear Translator
Even though Pilot's crowdfunding campaign hasn't even launched yet (expect it on IndieGoGo very soon) this translator has already got the internet abuzz. In English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German... Not only does...
/offensive-crayons-35033.jpg?mode=crop "Offensive Crayons")
Offensive Crayons
If your favorite pastime is being offended, get ready for hours of fun with Offensive Crayons. And even if you're open to the politically incorrect, unless you're Daniel Tosh politically incorrect, you might wince at...
EmoSpark AI Home Console
If Her creeped you out (and let's face it, just looking at Joaquin Phoenix for more than 30 seconds straight can sometimes do the trick) get ready to have your stomach turned inside out again: EmoSpark, an Android-powered...
/1980s-slang-chart-poster-38141.jpg?mode=crop "1980s Slang Chart Poster")
1980s Slang Chart Poster
While this 1980s Slang Chart poster gives me a happy jolt of nostalgia on a gray and sluggish morning, it also makes me feel elderly and moderately embarrassed. Not only do I know every single word the chart points out...
/the-literal-translation-of-32210.jpg?mode=crop "The Literal Translation of Country Names Map")
The Literal Translation of Country Names Map
You can't buy a print of The Literal Translation of Country Names Map...yet...but that's probably not such a big deal. Like The World According to Americans, this map is more of a way to get a few chuckles and take a...
/punderdome-a-card-game-for-24397.jpg "Punderdome: A Card Game for Pun Lovers")
Punderdome: A Card Game for Pun Lovers
All puns, all night long at your next bro night? No, dudes, I'm not playing games with your heart. I'm playing games with this deck of Punderdome cards. Interested, ye linguistic manipulators? Ye nimble thinkers? Ye word...
Spinning F Pin
When indecision strikes or words fail you, let fate decide the most appropriate way to F the situation. This enamel pin secures to your lapel where it will always be within finger's reach and ready to spin-a-fuck the...
Star Wars Huttese Translator Ring
Communication, so the saying goes, is key. How appropriate then for the bilinguists of the Galactic Republic to provide us with this Translator Ring, a finger-sized key to communicating with the Huttese. Imagine how Jabba...
The Book with No Pictures
Alright, BJ Novak, it took until "BOO BOO BUTT," but you finally got me. While The Book with No Pictures is 100% a kids' book, it's one of those bedtime reads that, like Seuss and Stories for Children You Hate, is kind...
/the-little-book-of-lost-words-59371.jpg?mode=crop "The Little Book of Lost Words")
The Little Book of Lost Words
I often find myself at a loss for words, or unable to find the word I'm looking for, so maybe this Little Book of Lost Words can help me out too. By "too," I mean, in addition to all of you dudes and ladies out there...