Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - May - 2011 Issue

Manuscripts from Justin Croft and Simon Beattie

- by Michael Stillman

A manuscript book on metaposcopy.

Item 27 is a collection of Common-sense Remarks by Edward Randall, a strait-laced Englishman circa 1810-17. Randall did his writing between 8:00 and 12:00 at night. His thoughts are generally quite pious, as befits a man with nothing better to do in the evening than moralize. Randall is quite critical of dancing, at one time describing a particularly abhorrent dance step - "Another, is a shape assumed by female as well as male in the course of practice; they stand upright - toes pointing outward…and beginning gradually to lower their arses, they give them a sudden jerk down… What a pretty position this for females with petticoats that come no lower down than their knees when standing?" Randall must have been the life of the party, which is why he was home moralizing while others were out dancing. £650 (US $1,048).

 

Item 25 is Metoposiapia, a dubious word, from 17th century Italy. The better word is metoposcopia or metoposcopy, words you probably don't recognize either. It is a lost art. This is where you look at lines and other markings on the face, particularly the forehead, run them past some astrological charts, and from this determine the person's future. I'm not sure why this useful science has been forgotten. This would have been a skill practiced, and perhaps held closely by its practitioners, hence a logical subject for manuscript rather than printed books. This one was likely created and used by a practitioner. £6,000 (US $9,677).

 

Inquiries regarding this catalogue should be sent to Justin@justincroft.com.

Rare Book Monthly

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