Description
1910 printing. Hardcover has significant wear, discoloration, scuffs and marks throughout. No dust jacket. Spine has tears on the top and bottom and heavy wear. Binding is slightly loose. Pages are clean and largely unmarked aside from some small marks on some pages. Readable copy.
This early 20th century volume on physiognomy, the study of facial features and their relation to character and personality traits, offers a fascinating glimpse into the pseudoscientific beliefs of the era. Published in 1910, Leila Lomax’s “Physiognomy” reflects the Victorian fascination with phrenology and the notion that one’s outward appearance could reveal inner qualities. While now considered a discredited practice, physiognomy was once widely accepted and even influenced fields like criminology. This well-worn copy bears the marks of its age and numerous readings, with a loosened binding and scuffed boards suggesting it was a frequently consulted reference. Despite its flaws, the book’s intact pages provide modern readers a window into the cultural mindset of the time, making it a compelling artifact for scholars of social history, anthropology, and the history of science. Collectors of antiquarian curiosities and vintage works on human behavior will appreciate this survivor from an era captivated by the idea of divining personality through facial analysis.
