An ancient method of fortune telling is palmistry or palm reading, a method of alleged divination also known as "chiromancy." It probably originated in the East and was spread westward possibly by the Romany peoples (or Gypsies).

Palmistry involves analyzing the shape of the hand and fingers, the lines of the palm ( including the "head," "heart," and "life" lines), and other features, including— more recently— the fingerprints.

Chromolithographed trade card (for Dr. Jayne's Tonic Vermifuge), "The Gipsy [sic] Fortune-Teller" (circa 1880s).

More Palmistry exhibits:

Gypsy Charcoal Drawing

Gypsy Palm Reader

Hand Print