Rabdologiæ, seu numerationis per virgulas libri duo : cum appendice de expeditissimo multiplicationis promptuario. Quibus accessit & arithmeticæ localis liber unus
A 1617 Edinburgh mathematics treatise by John Napier, published by A. Hart, setting out his rod-based system of multiplication and calculation for scholars and practical reckoners. The pictures are printed tables: a dense grid of diagonal digit patterns beside a tally-like panel of shaded cells, a column of multiplication-grid cells with numerals split by diagonal lines, and a faded page with an ornamental woodcut border above a ruled grid. A designer could take the strict modular grids, diagonal cell divisions and rhythmic numeral layouts as structure for information graphics.
