Hello Mary, the pointy shoe cartomancer is on a book cover
Teheuti said:
I had forgotten all about this one. Thanks. There is, of course, a question about what is actually going on, but it represents a possibility.
Anyone know where this picture first appears?
Mary
Jeux de Cartes Tarots et de Cartes Numerales
by
Jean Duchesne,
First Edition Limited Issue one of 132 copies
Paris; Crapelet, 1844
It was the cover of the Christie's Auction Catalogue of the Kaplan auction of their card collection of Wednesday, June 21, 2006, lot 221.
It seems the two I found were book covers by card readers, but you are right, it is a rare thing. I'll look through the catalog to see if there are any other book covers with men. Unfortunately when I see it in more detail, the woman has cards in her hand and the man does appear to be holding the cards--but his gesture might be one of surprise or excitement with one hand, and he may also be balancing a stick on edge of his fingers and also holding cards--so it's hard to know if he is reading the cards.
Regards,
Cerulean