  In this paper we define an observationally robust, multi-parameter space for
the classification of nearby and distant galaxies. The parameters include
luminosity, color, and the image-structure parameters: size, image
concentration, asymmetry, and surface brightness. Based on an initial
calibration of this parameter space using the ``normal'' Hubble-types surveyed
by Frei et al. (1996), we find that only a subset of the parameters provide
useful classification boundaries for this sample. Interestingly, this subset
does not include distance-dependent scale parameters, such as size or
luminosity. The essential ingredient is the combination of a spectral index
(e.g., color) with parameters of image structure and scale: concentration,
asymmetry, and surface-brightness. We refer to the image structure parameters
(concentration and asymmetry) as indices of ``form.'' We define a preliminary
classification based on spectral index, form, and surface-brightness (a scale)
that successfully separates normal galaxies into three classes. We
intentionally identify these classes with the familiar labels of Early,
Intermediate, and Late. This classification, or others based on the above four
parameters can be used reliably to define comparable samples over a broad range
in redshift. The size and luminosity distribution of such samples will not be
biased by this selection process except through astrophysical correlations
between spectral index, form, and surface-brightness.
