GYPSY SABINA SELF-EXPLAINING FORTUNE-TELLING CARDS
Book Details + Condition: The American Illustrating Co. (New York), 1904. Very scarce. Includes box and 36 fortune-telling cards. This Gypsy Sabina deck contains the same 36 figures that are found in a standard Lenormand deck, save that the Queens are switched around; the Snake is the Queen of Spades (rather than the Queen of Clubs). The drawings are original to this deck and include the uncommon image of a curtain being pulled back by a cherub to reveal the scene. "Self-explaining" readings in furled banners in both German and English are presented on each card. The reverse of the cards features an advertisement for John Miles Wholesale Millinery Goods; most likely these decks were offered as promotional products. The cards are a bit taller than other versions, measuring 2-3/8″ x 3-5/8″. Per the back of the box: "These Cards have been used for years with unvarying success by Queen Sabina, one of the most foremost Queens of the Romany Rye. Venerated by her subjects for her good qualities, she is also regarded by them with a superstitious awe, and guarded with such a jealous care that no one outside the inner circle is allowed to see or hold converse with her, and she has taken this means of holding communication with the outside world, so that they may partake of her wondrous gift of lifting the curtain of the future for all who have faith." The instruction sheet is not present in this deck, but it tells one to lay the cards in four rows of nine cards, with the Significator always in the center of the top row. Wear to box, with top cover missing; tape to bottom; all cards present.
