Chinese Sensitive Leaf
by [Divination]
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Langlois, Oregon, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
np, nd [c. late 19th century]. 6 x 9" broadside, printed in English with Chinese letters at left margin. Complete with both original sensitive leaves, each printed on thin glassine paper hand-painted with red pigment. Lacking the original envelope.
Sensitive leaves were a fortune-telling device by which the temperament of a subject could be ascertained when the glassine leaf was placed into the palm of a hand, and the degree and manner in which it curled or was otherwise animated. The division of personality was based upon the humors, revealing a sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, or melancholy disposition. This particular version is attributed to one Yang-Hou, of Kiagnen, China, and is one of several which were attributed to a Chinese source, sometimes with racist caricatures such as the second of the two leaves.
Both leaves fine. The broadside has several old fold lines, with a couple small holes at folds and a small bit missing at one tip, else very good.
Sensitive leaves were a fortune-telling device by which the temperament of a subject could be ascertained when the glassine leaf was placed into the palm of a hand, and the degree and manner in which it curled or was otherwise animated. The division of personality was based upon the humors, revealing a sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, or melancholy disposition. This particular version is attributed to one Yang-Hou, of Kiagnen, China, and is one of several which were attributed to a Chinese source, sometimes with racist caricatures such as the second of the two leaves.
Both leaves fine. The broadside has several old fold lines, with a couple small holes at folds and a small bit missing at one tip, else very good.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Division Leap, ABAA (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 29798
- Title
- Chinese Sensitive Leaf
- Author
- [Divination]
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Place of Publication
- np
- Date Published
- nd [c. late 19th century]
Terms of Sale
Division Leap, ABAA
All books subject to prior sale. Books may be returned undamaged within 30 days for any reason, provided advance notice is given and books are returned undamaged. For new customers, remittance is due with order. Institutions may apply for billing.
About the Seller
Division Leap, ABAA
Biblio member since 2005
Langlois, Oregon
About Division Leap, ABAA
Booksellers and publishers based in Portland, Oregon. Since 2005, we've specialized in rare books, archives and ephemera related to art, poetry, counter-culture, design, social movements, music, graffiti, tattooing, the Situationist International and its aftermath, and the history of independent publishing. Collections purchased. Catalogs issued. Please contact us to join our mailing list. We welcome visitors by appointment. Member ABAA, ILAB.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- ND
- no publisher's date given
- Leaves
- Very generally, "leaves" refers to the pages of a book, as in the common phrase, "loose-leaf pages." A leaf is a single sheet...
- Device
- Especially for older books, a printer's device refers to an identifying mark, also sometimes called a printer's mark, on the...