Alongside these complex synergies, interdisciplinary associations founded on web-based data transfer are on the rise. All of the new visions and achievements discussed in the volume can only be fully realized, however, if the traditional roots of epigraphy are maintained. Rather than being blinded by a sort of "electronic madness," scholars must recall the rich heritage of epigraphic transmission as a source of information that has yet to be exhausted. This volume is not only a plea for an increased use of modern (electronic) technology but also a warning against putting trust solely in such technology. --

This innovative text draws on theories and methodologies from the fields of multimodality, ethnography, and literacy studies to explore the sociocultural significance of book ownership and book inscriptions in Edwardian Britain. The Sociocultural Functions of Edwardian Book Inscriptions examines evidence gathered from historical records, archival documents, and the inscriptive practices of individuals from the Edwardian era to foreground the social, communicative, and performative functions of inscriptive practices and illustrate how material, lexical, and semiotic means were used to perform identity, contest social status, and forge relationships with others. The text adopts a unique ethnohistorical approach to multimodality, supporting the development of a typography of book inscriptions which will serve as a unique interpretive framework for analysis of literary artifacts in the context of broader sociopolitical forces. This text will benefit doctoral students, researchers, and academics in the fields of literacy studies, English language arts, and research methods in education more broadly. Those interested in British book history, anthropology, and 20th-century literature will also enjoy this volume.