‘Sir, you quibble!’

Today’s quick take is on THE SQUARE OF SEVENS, a cartomancy guide from 1896 by Edward Irenaeus Prime-Stevenson (1868-1942). He declares it to be the work of Robert Antrobus, who met a ‘Mr George’ in Cornwall who was supposedly a ‘gypsy’ but alienated from his people and willing to spill all their secrets. This elaborate hoax makes a beautiful book and a system that is no more ridiculous than many other cartomancy guides (can you tell I’ve been looking at a lot of early guides?). The preface is a hoot. Stevenson was perhaps the first out gay American writer, unapologetically ‘homophile’ in his writings.

The Square of Sevens available at the Internet Archive.

Mary K. Greer’s original blog with additional info from Ross Caldwell here.

The Cock Lane Ghost at Wikipedia.