Bibliography of Books about Tasseomancy

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[[File:Tea-Cup-Fortune-Telling-Charlot.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Te Cup Fortune-Telling" by Yvone V. Charlot]]
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[[File:From-the-Land-of-Tea-Cat-Yronwode.jpg|left|thumb|150px|From the Land of Tea]]
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[[File:2022-06-14-Tier-2-FTLOT.Tea-Leaf-Reading-Bibliography.jpg |right| thumb| 200px| June 14, 2022 Patreon page announcement.]]
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[[File:2022-06-21-Tier-3-FTLOT.More-Tea-Leaf-Reading-Bibliography.jpg |right| thumb| 200px| June 21, 2022 Patreon page announcement.]]
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Greetings, Book-Lovers!
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As some of you know, i come from a family of book publishers, book dealers, book collectors, and librarians. Creating illustrated and annotated bibliographies on topics of divination and folk magic has been a hobby of mine for decades. Making bibliographies does not pay the bills and is strictly a labour of love. Lucky for me, i have a lot of friends, fans, and followers who are willing to support my bibliographies via the Patreon system of small donations. This page is a simple place-holder for a much more extensive page which my Patrons have paid for at the rate of $2.00 per week or more, as they wish. After one year of exclusive viewership by Patrons, this page will open to the public in greatly expanded form in June 2023.
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In this installment of "From the Land of Tea," we look forward to page expansions!
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*'''Patreon Release Date: June 14th, 2022'''
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*'''Public Release Date: June 14th, 2023.'''
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*'''Patreon Release Date: June 21st, 2022'''
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*'''Public Release Date: June 21st, 2023.'''
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Please consider subscribing to my Patreon stream for as little as $2.00 per week:
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* '''[http://patreon.com/catherineyronwode "It's All Ephemera with Cat Yronwode"]'''
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Patrons: To discuss this and other Patreon projects with me, please join my private Patreon Forum:
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* '''[http://forum.luckymojo.com/from-the-land-of-tea-t93994.html Private Patreon Forum for The Mystic Tea Room]'''
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[[File:Tea-Cup-Fortune-Telling-Charlot.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Tea Cup Fortune-Telling" by Yvone V. Charlot]]
[[File:Fortune-and-Fame-in-Tea-Cup-Reading.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Fortune and Fame in Tea Cup Reading" by Em-Ja-Dee (Michael J. Duff); this copy is surprinted for Finkle's Tavern of Summitville, New York, Loren Finkle, proprietor]]
[[File:Fortune-and-Fame-in-Tea-Cup-Reading.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Fortune and Fame in Tea Cup Reading" by Em-Ja-Dee (Michael J. Duff); this copy is surprinted for Finkle's Tavern of Summitville, New York, Loren Finkle, proprietor]]
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[[File:Fenton-Tea-Cup-Reading.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Tea Cup Reading by Sahsa Fenton]]
 
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[[File:Hewitt-William-Tea-Leaf-Reading-Paperback.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Tea Leaf Reading" by William Hewitt]]
 
[[File:Tea-leaf-reading-highland-seer-cover.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Tea Cup Reading How to Tell Fortunes by Tea Leaves" by A Highland Seer]]
[[File:Tea-leaf-reading-highland-seer-cover.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Tea Cup Reading How to Tell Fortunes by Tea Leaves" by A Highland Seer]]
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[[File:McWhorter-Tea-Cup-Tales-1984.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Tea Cup Tales" by Margaret Lange McWhorter, 1984]]
 
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[[File:McWhorter-Tea-Cup-Tales-1998.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Tea Cup Tales" by Margaret Lange McWhorter, 1998]]
 
[[File:The-Cup-of-Knowledge.Mac-Nicol.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"The Cup of Knowledge: A Key to the Mysteries of Divination" by Wllis Mac Nichol (William Nicholson and Sydney MacNamara)]]
[[File:The-Cup-of-Knowledge.Mac-Nicol.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"The Cup of Knowledge: A Key to the Mysteries of Divination" by Wllis Mac Nichol (William Nicholson and Sydney MacNamara)]]
[[File:Tea-Cup-Fortune-Telling.Minetta.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Tea Cup Fortune Telling: The Signs Illustrated and Simply Explained" by Minetta]]
[[File:Tea-Cup-Fortune-Telling.Minetta.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Tea Cup Fortune Telling: The Signs Illustrated and Simply Explained" by Minetta]]
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[[File:Learn-How-to-Tell-Tea-Cup-Fortunes.Putnam.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Learn How to Tell Tea Cup Fortunes" by S.E.M. Putnam]]
[[File:Learn-How-to-Tell-Tea-Cup-Fortunes.Putnam.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Learn How to Tell Tea Cup Fortunes" by S.E.M. Putnam]]
[[File:Tuckers-Tea-Cup-Reader.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Tucker's Tea Cup Reader" by Frederick Charles Tucker]]
[[File:Tuckers-Tea-Cup-Reader.jpg|300px|right|thumb|"Tucker's Tea Cup Reader" by Frederick Charles Tucker]]
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==Tea Leaf Reading Bibliography==
As far as we know, written documentation of the tradition of reading tea cups began in the late 19th century with an American named John W. Hanley, an inventor who created games for telling fortunes at parties, most of which were based in astrology. In 1899 he released the Fortuna Fortune Telling Tea Cup, which combined astrology with tea reading. This came with a book that revealed how to toss a cup, and listed about 50 signs found in the leaves. Soon after, a number of marked astrology cups and saucers were released, the 1904 Nelros Cup of Fortune, designed by Neville Ross, being the best-known. It too came with an instruction booklet.  
As far as we know, written documentation of the tradition of reading tea cups began in the late 19th century with an American named John W. Hanley, an inventor who created games for telling fortunes at parties, most of which were based in astrology. In 1899 he released the Fortuna Fortune Telling Tea Cup, which combined astrology with tea reading. This came with a book that revealed how to toss a cup, and listed about 50 signs found in the leaves. Soon after, a number of marked astrology cups and saucers were released, the 1904 Nelros Cup of Fortune, designed by Neville Ross, being the best-known. It too came with an instruction booklet.  
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If collecting books is your passion, you may enjoy our Bibliography of Books about Tasseomancy. It will never be complete -- and we look forward to suggestions and contributions of information from our readers. If a book you know and like is not included on this page, please send the title and author's name, a scan of the cover, the page-count, biding style, publisher's name, and any descriptive review you would like us to include.  
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If collecting books is your passion, you may enjoy our Bibliography of Books about Tasseomancy. It will never be complete -- and we look forward to suggestions and contributions of information from our readers.
== Tasseomancy Instruction Books and Bookets ==
== Tasseomancy Instruction Books and Bookets ==
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'''Dinan, Katie [Catherine Genevieve Hagen]. Tea Leaves. Avice Dahlin, 1949.'''
'''Dinan, Katie [Catherine Genevieve Hagen]. Tea Leaves. Avice Dahlin, 1949.'''
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* A limited edition art book as well as tea leaf reading manual. Each symbol is embellished with watercolour designs by the author-artist.
 
'''Em-Ja-Dee [Michael J. Duff]. Fortune and Fame in Tea-Cup Reading. A. Mitchell, 1939.'''  
'''Em-Ja-Dee [Michael J. Duff]. Fortune and Fame in Tea-Cup Reading. A. Mitchell, 1939.'''  
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* Also marked as "Printer’s Booklet No. 57," this excellent instruction manual was designed as a promotional item to be sold in tea rooms. It is therefore found surprinted with various tea room names; however, aside from the surprint, the content, design, and paper stock is always the same.
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* Also marked as "Printer’s Booklet No. 57," this excellent instruction manual was designed as a promotional item to be sold in tea rooms. It is therefore found surprinted with various tea room names on the cover; however, aside from the surprint, the content, design, and paper stock is always the same.
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* The symbolism on the cover of this booklet is intentionally cross-cultural. The lettering is pseudo-Chinese -- a hand-drawn variation of a typographic font-family often named after one specific font, Chopsticks -- but the [[A Basic List of Tea Leaf Symbols|omen-images]] are overwhelmingly European: a witch, a rose, a fish, a star, a diamond, a dog, a bee, a pine tree, and a chicken.
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* The writer-artist "Em-Ja-Dee" is identified in the booklet itself as Michael J. Duff, and the publisher (and presumed printer) is A. Mitchell, but my cursory research has not produced any more information on these people.
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* I have two copies of this booklet in my collection. The one shown here is printed for Finkle's Tavern of Summitville, New York, Loren Finkle, proprietor, but the other is blank. It's a good guess that A. Mitchell was located in New York, because in the mid-20th century, the concept of nation-wide branding and distribution was in its infancy.  
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'''Fenton, Sasha. Tea Cup Reading'''  
'''Fenton, Sasha. Tea Cup Reading'''  
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* Originally published in 2000. This wonderful "Quick and Easy Guide to Tasseography" is a favourite modern book on the subject of telling fortunes by tea leaf reading according to traditional Scottish, English, and Irish methods. It also teaches how to read coffee grounds in the Eastern European style. Profusely illustrated with images of tea-leaf and coffee ground symbols, it gives the time-honoured meanings for the images, along with historical overviews of tea and coffee, including their social impact and some of their medical uses. If you need just one book on tasseography to get you started reading tea leaves for friends and clients, this is the one. It is fun, upbeat, informative, and completely accurate with respect to the "old ways" of fortune telling in a teacup.
* Originally published in 2000. This wonderful "Quick and Easy Guide to Tasseography" is a favourite modern book on the subject of telling fortunes by tea leaf reading according to traditional Scottish, English, and Irish methods. It also teaches how to read coffee grounds in the Eastern European style. Profusely illustrated with images of tea-leaf and coffee ground symbols, it gives the time-honoured meanings for the images, along with historical overviews of tea and coffee, including their social impact and some of their medical uses. If you need just one book on tasseography to get you started reading tea leaves for friends and clients, this is the one. It is fun, upbeat, informative, and completely accurate with respect to the "old ways" of fortune telling in a teacup.
* 142 pages, trade paperback.
* 142 pages, trade paperback.
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'''Hewitt, William W. Tea Leaf Reading. Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (1989)
 
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* Cover painting by Victoria Poyser Lisi
 
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* 256 pages
 
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* William W. Hewitt was born in 1929 and was 60 years old when Lewellyn published this book. He dedicated it "to my wife Dee" and "to the memory of my mother, Dorothy Agnes Hewitt, cementing his male expertise to that of the female members of his family.
 
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* There are more than 400 entries for images, with lengthy descriptions and a solid alphabetical index. Very few of the images are illustrated, but those that are are drawn as tea-leaf clusters, which is helpful to the novice learner.
 
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* The following description came from the publisher: ''Learn the ancient art of interpreting the shapes of tea leaves for yourself and others in "Tea Leaf Reading" by William W. Hewitt. "Tea Leaf Reading "is your complete guide to reading and interpreting tea leaves. You don't need any prior knowledge or psychic abilities -- just a teacup, some tea, and the desire to have fun Each step is completely explained so you can be giving tea leaf readings in minutes. You'll learn how to:'' <br>
 
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''- Phrase questions effectively. '' <br>
 
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''- Prepare the tea cup (how much loose tea to use, how to mix water with the leaves, how to infuse the tea leaves with your energy, and how to disperse the leaves around the inside of the cup). '' <br>
 
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''- Analyze the tea leaves for the reading, including numerous examples You will learn what the tea leaf patterns mean by referring to the extensive, illustrated glossary of more than 400 symbols. '' <br>
 
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''- Find out about the different "zones" of the teacup, and how you can determine what's in store for you for the next twelve months. '' <br>
 
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''- You can also use the tea leaves to answer specific questions. Do you see a bride's dress? Expect extensive changes in your life. Is there a firecracker in the cup? That means enjoyable excitement. A roof implies protection for you, your family and your possessions. Skis indicate that you are moving too fast and need to pay greater attention to detail. - - ''- Discuss the philosophies of tea leaf reading.'' <br>
 
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''Reading tea leaves is nearly as easy as tea drinking -- and even more enjoyable. Pour yourself a cup of tea and find out what the future has in store for you with the help of "Tea Leaf Reading."'' 
 
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* Llewellyn has a habit of republishing books with variant covers, leaving the contents unchanged. Such is the case with this book. See also the 2nd and 3rd editions.
 
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* 256 pages
 
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'''Hewitt, William W. Tea Leaf Reading. Llewellyn Publications; 2nd edition (circa 1994)
 
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* Llewellyn has a habit of republishing books with variant covers, leaving the contents unchanged. Such is the case with this book. See the entry on the 1st edition for more information.
 
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* 256 pages
 
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'''Hewitt, William W. Tea Leaf Reading. Llewellyn Publications; 3rd edition (October 8, 1999)
 
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* Llewellyn has a habit of republishing books with variant covers, leaving the contents unchanged. Such is the case with this book. See the entry on the 1st edition for more information.
 
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* 256 pages
 
'''Highland Seer, A. Tea Cup Reading: How to Tell Fortunes by Tea Leaves. George Sully. c 1917-1918. [Also an early edition by A. Burt, and many later reprints.]'''.
'''Highland Seer, A. Tea Cup Reading: How to Tell Fortunes by Tea Leaves. George Sully. c 1917-1918. [Also an early edition by A. Burt, and many later reprints.]'''.
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* From time immemorial, humankind has tried to uncover the meaning of divining the future. While druids followed the stars and Greeks sought counsel from the Oracle at Delphi, the "spae-wives" of the Scottish highlands found the answers to life in the tea-leaf patterns in their cups. Lines of dust meant journeys, swans foretold of love, and snakes warned of disaster. These and other symbols were passed down from generation to generation. This work reproduces the writings of an anonymous Scottish seer who recorded the secrets of the ancient art of reading tea leaves, including an alphabetical list of the various signs and their meanings. It features illustrations of sample cups, and their interpretations show how to weave and balance the symbols together, transforming a cup of tea into the voice of the Fates. The book combines that manuscript with modern writings on the history and philosophy of foretelling the future.
* From time immemorial, humankind has tried to uncover the meaning of divining the future. While druids followed the stars and Greeks sought counsel from the Oracle at Delphi, the "spae-wives" of the Scottish highlands found the answers to life in the tea-leaf patterns in their cups. Lines of dust meant journeys, swans foretold of love, and snakes warned of disaster. These and other symbols were passed down from generation to generation. This work reproduces the writings of an anonymous Scottish seer who recorded the secrets of the ancient art of reading tea leaves, including an alphabetical list of the various signs and their meanings. It features illustrations of sample cups, and their interpretations show how to weave and balance the symbols together, transforming a cup of tea into the voice of the Fates. The book combines that manuscript with modern writings on the history and philosophy of foretelling the future.
* 96 pages, hardcover.
* 96 pages, hardcover.
'''Kent, Cicely, Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves: How to Read Your Fate in a Tea Cup. Dodd, Mead And Company, 1922. and many subsequent printings through 1946.'''
'''Kent, Cicely, Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves: How to Read Your Fate in a Tea Cup. Dodd, Mead And Company, 1922. and many subsequent printings through 1946.'''
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* Cicely Kent’s 1922 opus, “Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves: How to Read Your Fate in a Tea Cup,” was, and remains, the most exhaustive book on cup reading symbolism. Every author since Kent has consulted her large dictionary of symbols, and we are no exception.  
* Cicely Kent’s 1922 opus, “Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves: How to Read Your Fate in a Tea Cup,” was, and remains, the most exhaustive book on cup reading symbolism. Every author since Kent has consulted her large dictionary of symbols, and we are no exception.  
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'''McWhorter, Margaret Lange. Tea Cup Tales: Tales of Tea and How to Read the Tea Leaves. Ransom Hill Press, 1984.'''
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'''McWhorter, Margaret L. Tea Cup Tales: The Art of Reading Tea Leaves  
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* 112 pages, paperback.'''
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* The June 1, 1984 1st edition of McWhorter's book has a different sub-title, cover, and page-count than the 2nd edition.
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* 42 pages, paperback, with a black-and-white cover.
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* The 1st edition of this small self-published book is very hard to find, but that is not too bad, because it is probably only of value to completists, as the 2nd, enlarged edition is much nicer.
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'''McWhorter, Margaret Lange. Tea Cup Tales: The Art of Reading Tea Leaves. Ransom Hill Press, 1998.'''
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* The January 1, 1998 2nd edition of McWhorter's book has a different sub-title, cover, and page-count than the 1st edition.
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* 112 pages, paperback, with a colour cover.
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* This is a charming little self-published book. I carried the bright pink 2nd edition in my shop for many years, until it went out of print. Used copies command a fairly high price in the vintage book trade.
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'''Mercury. Tea-Cup and Card Fortune Telling. W. Foulsham, n.d. (c. 1925).'''
'''Mercury. Tea-Cup and Card Fortune Telling. W. Foulsham, n.d. (c. 1925).'''
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* Around 1925 the publisher W. Foulsham brought out an odd little double-book — 48 pages on tasseomancy and 48 pages on card reading bound together as “Tea-Cup and Card Fortune Telling” by “Mercury.”
* Around 1925 the publisher W. Foulsham brought out an odd little double-book — 48 pages on tasseomancy and 48 pages on card reading bound together as “Tea-Cup and Card Fortune Telling” by “Mercury.”
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'''Minetta. Tea-Cup Fortune Telling: The Signs Illustrated and Simply Explained. W. Foulsham, n.d. (c. 1926). '''
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'''Minetta. Tea-Cup Fortune Telling: The Signs Illustrated and Simply Explained. W.Foulsham, n.d. (c. 1926). .'''
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* At least six editions issued with variant covers and sub-titles, revised ed. 1958, plus two American editions, by David Mackay and I. & M. Ottenheimer
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* There are at least six editions of this book, each issued with variant covers and sub-titles; a revised edition dated to 1958; plus two American editions, published by David Mackay and I. & M. Ottenheimer
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'''Muriel. The Muriel Method of Tea-Leaf Reading. Muriel Publishing Co., 1938.'''
'''Muriel. The Muriel Method of Tea-Leaf Reading. Muriel Publishing Co., 1938.'''
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* Muriel's true identity remains a mystery, but her booklet is a unique and valuable window into the scantly-documented world of psychic readers who presented divination at tea rooms during the 20th century. Her text provides meanings for basic tea leaf symbols, but it also contains information about working as a tasseomancer in Detroit, Michigan in 1938, with specific instructions on how to present oneself, where to position oneself in the tea room, and how much money to expect from professional tea reading (enough to augment the family income, but not enough to support the family).  
* Muriel's true identity remains a mystery, but her booklet is a unique and valuable window into the scantly-documented world of psychic readers who presented divination at tea rooms during the 20th century. Her text provides meanings for basic tea leaf symbols, but it also contains information about working as a tasseomancer in Detroit, Michigan in 1938, with specific instructions on how to present oneself, where to position oneself in the tea room, and how much money to expect from professional tea reading (enough to augment the family income, but not enough to support the family).  
* The title-page for this booklet, and a little more about the legal status of tea room readers in Detroit during the 1930d, can be found on the page about [[Having Your Fortune Told At a Tea Room]].
* The title-page for this booklet, and a little more about the legal status of tea room readers in Detroit during the 1930d, can be found on the page about [[Having Your Fortune Told At a Tea Room]].
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'''Anton, John Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Taltos Cup of Fortune, 1975 '''
'''Anton, John Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Taltos Cup of Fortune, 1975 '''
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* 24 pg. John Anton Taltos Booklet.  
* 24 pg. John Anton Taltos Booklet.  
'''Aynsley. The Cup of Knowledge. Aynsley China, 1924.'''
'''Aynsley. The Cup of Knowledge. Aynsley China, 1924.'''
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* Can be used with any Aynsley, Alfred Meakin, J & G Meakin, Booth's, Grosvenor Jackson & Gosling, or Fairylite Cup of Knowledge.
* Can be used with any Aynsley, Alfred Meakin, J & G Meakin, Booth's, Grosvenor Jackson & Gosling, or Fairylite Cup of Knowledge.
* 6 pg. tri-fold with the line drawing of a dragon on the front.  
* 6 pg. tri-fold with the line drawing of a dragon on the front.  
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'''Hanley, John W. The Fortune Telling Tea Cup: Prophetic, Interesting, Amusing, and Instructive. Fortuna Tea Cup Co., 1899.'''
'''Hanley, John W. The Fortune Telling Tea Cup: Prophetic, Interesting, Amusing, and Instructive. Fortuna Tea Cup Co., 1899.'''
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* The first book on tasseomancy that did not accompany a tea set was “Tea Cup Reading: How to Tell Fortunes by Tea Leaves” by “A Highland Seer,” published circa 1917-1918. The pseudonymous author was literate and well-versed in the history of the spae-wives of Scotland, the prophetesses who read the tea leaves.  
* The first book on tasseomancy that did not accompany a tea set was “Tea Cup Reading: How to Tell Fortunes by Tea Leaves” by “A Highland Seer,” published circa 1917-1918. The pseudonymous author was literate and well-versed in the history of the spae-wives of Scotland, the prophetesses who read the tea leaves.  
'''Mac Nicol, Willis [William Nicholson and Sydney MacNamara]. The Cup of Knowledge: A Key to the Mysteries of Divination. n.p, , n.d. [1924 and 1925, for the British Empire Exhibition.'''
'''Mac Nicol, Willis [William Nicholson and Sydney MacNamara]. The Cup of Knowledge: A Key to the Mysteries of Divination. n.p, , n.d. [1924 and 1925, for the British Empire Exhibition.'''
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* Two editions, “tall” and “square.” The former is the earlier; the latter soon replaced it as the square shape fits the packaging for a cup and saucer.]
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* Two editions exist: “tall” and “square.” The former is the earlier; the latter soon replaced it as the square shape better fits the packaging for a cup and saucer.]
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* In 1924 The Cup of Knowledge by William Nicholson and Samuel MacNarama (“Willis Mac Nichol”) was a huge hit. The first cartomancy cup. it came with a fanciful book of history and full instructions for use.  
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* In 1924 The Cup of Knowledge by William Nicholson and Samuel MacNarama (“Willis Mac Nichol”) was a huge hit. The first cartomancy cup, it came with a fanciful book of history and full instructions for use.  
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'''Paragon. Signs and Omens Cup and Saucer. Paragon Fine China, n.d. (c. 1930).'''
'''Paragon. Signs and Omens Cup and Saucer. Paragon Fine China, n.d. (c. 1930).'''
'''Red Rose Tea'''
'''Red Rose Tea'''
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* Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Cup of Fortune, Red Rose Tea, c1965  
* Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Cup of Fortune, Red Rose Tea, c1965  
* 10 pg. Booklet
* 10 pg. Booklet
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'''Royal Kendall'''
'''Royal Kendall'''
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* Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Taltos Cup of Fortune, 1980  
* Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Taltos Cup of Fortune, 1980  
* 24 pg.  Booklet.  
* 24 pg.  Booklet.  
'''Vernon, Lillian'''
'''Vernon, Lillian'''
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* Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Lillian Vernon Fortune Teller Cup, 1985  
* Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Lillian Vernon Fortune Teller Cup, 1985  
* Original folded sheet for Lillian Vernon 's ICG Cup of Fortune.
* Original folded sheet for Lillian Vernon 's ICG Cup of Fortune.
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== Tasseomancy Booklets issued by Tea Companies ==
== Tasseomancy Booklets issued by Tea Companies ==
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'''Benevente, Marcia. Tea Fortunes! Stephen Leeman Products, 1931 and 1946'''
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'''Benevente, Marcia, Tea Fortunes!'''. Stephen Leeman Products, Variant covers and advertisements; contents otherwise identical, 1931, 1946.''
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* Two editions exist with variant covers and advertisements; the contents otherwise are identical.
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'''Bushnell’s Blue Label, How to Read Tea Cups. Bushell’s Ltd, c.1934-1946.'''  
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* At least two editions with identical contents and different photo-covers.]\
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'''Bushnell’s Blue Label. How to Read Tea Cups. Bushell’s Ltd, c.1934-1946.'''  
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* At least two editions with identical contents and different photo-covers.]
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'''Lipton. The Cup of Knowledge — Lipton’s. Thomas J. Lipton, Ltd., 1938.'''
'''Lipton. The Cup of Knowledge — Lipton’s. Thomas J. Lipton, Ltd., 1938.'''
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* Lipton's Tea Cup of Knowledge, Alfred Meakin Royal Marigold Cup.  
* Lipton's Tea Cup of Knowledge, Alfred Meakin Royal Marigold Cup.  
* 16 pg. Booklet
* 16 pg. Booklet
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'''Red Rose Tea'''
'''Red Rose Tea'''
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* Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Cup of Fortune, Red Rose Tea, c1965  
* Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Cup of Fortune, Red Rose Tea, c1965  
* 10 pg. Booklet
* 10 pg. Booklet
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<br><b>The Mystic Tea Room</b></i>
<br><b>The Mystic Tea Room</b></i>
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[[Category:Tea]]
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[[Category: Instructions in Tasseomancy]]
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[[Category:Tea Leaf Reading Instruction Sheets and Booklets]]

Revision as of 01:04, 7 September 2022

From the Land of Tea
June 14, 2022 Patreon page announcement.
June 21, 2022 Patreon page announcement.

Greetings, Book-Lovers!

As some of you know, i come from a family of book publishers, book dealers, book collectors, and librarians. Creating illustrated and annotated bibliographies on topics of divination and folk magic has been a hobby of mine for decades. Making bibliographies does not pay the bills and is strictly a labour of love. Lucky for me, i have a lot of friends, fans, and followers who are willing to support my bibliographies via the Patreon system of small donations. This page is a simple place-holder for a much more extensive page which my Patrons have paid for at the rate of $2.00 per week or more, as they wish. After one year of exclusive viewership by Patrons, this page will open to the public in greatly expanded form in June 2023.

In this installment of "From the Land of Tea," we look forward to page expansions!

  • Patreon Release Date: June 14th, 2022
  • Public Release Date: June 14th, 2023.
  • Patreon Release Date: June 21st, 2022
  • Public Release Date: June 21st, 2023.

Please consider subscribing to my Patreon stream for as little as $2.00 per week:

Patrons: To discuss this and other Patreon projects with me, please join my private Patreon Forum:

"Tea Cup Fortune-Telling" by Yvone V. Charlot
"Fortune and Fame in Tea Cup Reading" by Em-Ja-Dee (Michael J. Duff); this copy is surprinted for Finkle's Tavern of Summitville, New York, Loren Finkle, proprietor
"Tea Cup Reading How to Tell Fortunes by Tea Leaves" by A Highland Seer
"The Cup of Knowledge: A Key to the Mysteries of Divination" by Wllis Mac Nichol (William Nicholson and Sydney MacNamara)
"Tea Cup Fortune Telling: The Signs Illustrated and Simply Explained" by Minetta
"The Muriel Method of Tea-Leaf Reading" by Muriel
"Learn How to Tell Tea Cup Fortunes" by S.E.M. Putnam
"Tucker's Tea Cup Reader" by Frederick Charles Tucker


Contents

Tea Leaf Reading Bibliography

As far as we know, written documentation of the tradition of reading tea cups began in the late 19th century with an American named John W. Hanley, an inventor who created games for telling fortunes at parties, most of which were based in astrology. In 1899 he released the Fortuna Fortune Telling Tea Cup, which combined astrology with tea reading. This came with a book that revealed how to toss a cup, and listed about 50 signs found in the leaves. Soon after, a number of marked astrology cups and saucers were released, the 1904 Nelros Cup of Fortune, designed by Neville Ross, being the best-known. It too came with an instruction booklet.

If collecting books is your passion, you may enjoy our Bibliography of Books about Tasseomancy. It will never be complete -- and we look forward to suggestions and contributions of information from our readers.

Tasseomancy Instruction Books and Bookets

Charlot, Yvonne B., Tea-Cup Fortune Telling. Universal Publications Limited, 1935; rev. ed. 1937.

  • This is a well-constructed book with excellent illustrations of sample study cups. Given how early it was, i consider it one of the best source-books on 20th centurt tasseomancy.
  • Universal Publications Limited, 3 Fann Street, Aldersgate, London E.C.1 published a line of 45 books on divination and fortune telling of various sorts; social help such as letter writing, dancing, and household hints; rules and strategies for popular games and sports; and other topics of general interest. The books were published in uniform editions, all priced at 1s 3p each.
  • Two other titles that Yvonne. B. Charlot wrote for Universal Publications Limited were "Conundrums of All Kinds" and "The Meaning of Christian Names."
  • Other authors who wrote for the company on metaphysical topics were the astrologer Zodiastar and the dream interpreter Professor Nicholas.
  • Under the name U.P.L. the company also produced an extensive line of party amusements and card games of the sort that require specially illustrated decks.

Dinan, Katie [Catherine Genevieve Hagen]. Tea Leaves. Avice Dahlin, 1949.

Em-Ja-Dee [Michael J. Duff]. Fortune and Fame in Tea-Cup Reading. A. Mitchell, 1939.

  • Also marked as "Printer’s Booklet No. 57," this excellent instruction manual was designed as a promotional item to be sold in tea rooms. It is therefore found surprinted with various tea room names; however, aside from the surprint, the content, design, and paper stock is always the same.

Fenton, Sasha. Tea Cup Reading

  • Originally published in 2000. This wonderful "Quick and Easy Guide to Tasseography" is a favourite modern book on the subject of telling fortunes by tea leaf reading according to traditional Scottish, English, and Irish methods. It also teaches how to read coffee grounds in the Eastern European style. Profusely illustrated with images of tea-leaf and coffee ground symbols, it gives the time-honoured meanings for the images, along with historical overviews of tea and coffee, including their social impact and some of their medical uses. If you need just one book on tasseography to get you started reading tea leaves for friends and clients, this is the one. It is fun, upbeat, informative, and completely accurate with respect to the "old ways" of fortune telling in a teacup.
  • 142 pages, trade paperback.

Highland Seer, A. Tea Cup Reading: How to Tell Fortunes by Tea Leaves. George Sully. c 1917-1918. [Also an early edition by A. Burt, and many later reprints.].

  • From time immemorial, humankind has tried to uncover the meaning of divining the future. While druids followed the stars and Greeks sought counsel from the Oracle at Delphi, the "spae-wives" of the Scottish highlands found the answers to life in the tea-leaf patterns in their cups. Lines of dust meant journeys, swans foretold of love, and snakes warned of disaster. These and other symbols were passed down from generation to generation. This work reproduces the writings of an anonymous Scottish seer who recorded the secrets of the ancient art of reading tea leaves, including an alphabetical list of the various signs and their meanings. It features illustrations of sample cups, and their interpretations show how to weave and balance the symbols together, transforming a cup of tea into the voice of the Fates. The book combines that manuscript with modern writings on the history and philosophy of foretelling the future.
  • 96 pages, hardcover.

Kent, Cicely, Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves: How to Read Your Fate in a Tea Cup. Dodd, Mead And Company, 1922. and many subsequent printings through 1946.

  • Cicely Kent’s 1922 opus, “Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves: How to Read Your Fate in a Tea Cup,” was, and remains, the most exhaustive book on cup reading symbolism. Every author since Kent has consulted her large dictionary of symbols, and we are no exception.

McWhorter, Margaret L. Tea Cup Tales: The Art of Reading Tea Leaves

  • 112 pages, paperback.

Mercury. Tea-Cup and Card Fortune Telling. W. Foulsham, n.d. (c. 1925).

  • Around 1925 the publisher W. Foulsham brought out an odd little double-book — 48 pages on tasseomancy and 48 pages on card reading bound together as “Tea-Cup and Card Fortune Telling” by “Mercury.”

Minetta. Tea-Cup Fortune Telling: The Signs Illustrated and Simply Explained. W.Foulsham, n.d. (c. 1926). .

  • At least six editions issued with variant covers and sub-titles, revised ed. 1958, plus two American editions, by David Mackay and I. & M. Ottenheimer

Muriel. The Muriel Method of Tea-Leaf Reading. Muriel Publishing Co., 1938.

  • Muriel's true identity remains a mystery, but her booklet is a unique and valuable window into the scantly-documented world of psychic readers who presented divination at tea rooms during the 20th century. Her text provides meanings for basic tea leaf symbols, but it also contains information about working as a tasseomancer in Detroit, Michigan in 1938, with specific instructions on how to present oneself, where to position oneself in the tea room, and how much money to expect from professional tea reading (enough to augment the family income, but not enough to support the family).
  • The title-page for this booklet, and a little more about the legal status of tea room readers in Detroit during the 1930d, can be found on the page about Having Your Fortune Told At a Tea Room.

Putnam, S. E. M. Learn How to Tell Tea Cup Fortunes. San Fernando Valley Press, c 1938.

Tucker, Frederick Charles. Tucker’s Tea-Cup Reader. Tucker’s Publications, c 1938.

Tasseomancy Booklets Issued by Pottery Companies

Anton, John Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Taltos Cup of Fortune, 1975

  • 24 pg. John Anton Taltos Booklet.

Aynsley. The Cup of Knowledge. Aynsley China, 1924.

  • Can be used with any Aynsley, Alfred Meakin, J & G Meakin, Booth's, Grosvenor Jackson & Gosling, or Fairylite Cup of Knowledge.
  • 6 pg. tri-fold with the line drawing of a dragon on the front.

Barbreggo. The Romany Cup of Fortune. Creative Art Products, 1935.

Hanley, John W. The Fortune Telling Tea Cup: Prophetic, Interesting, Amusing, and Instructive. Fortuna Tea Cup Co., 1899.

  • The first book on tasseomancy that did not accompany a tea set was “Tea Cup Reading: How to Tell Fortunes by Tea Leaves” by “A Highland Seer,” published circa 1917-1918. The pseudonymous author was literate and well-versed in the history of the spae-wives of Scotland, the prophetesses who read the tea leaves.

Mac Nicol, Willis [William Nicholson and Sydney MacNamara]. The Cup of Knowledge: A Key to the Mysteries of Divination. n.p, , n.d. [1924 and 1925, for the British Empire Exhibition.

  • Two editions, “tall” and “square.” The former is the earlier; the latter soon replaced it as the square shape fits the packaging for a cup and saucer.]
  • In 1924 The Cup of Knowledge by William Nicholson and Samuel MacNarama (“Willis Mac Nichol”) was a huge hit. The first cartomancy cup. it came with a fanciful book of history and full instructions for use.

Paragon. Signs and Omens Cup and Saucer. Paragon Fine China, n.d. (c. 1930).

Red Rose Tea

  • Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Cup of Fortune, Red Rose Tea, c1965
  • 10 pg. Booklet
  • Issued by a tea company, this booklet was also issued in conjunction with the sale of a set of three fortune telling tea cups from the Taylor and Kent pottery company, and so it is double-listed and appears in both categories.

Royal Kendall

  • Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Taltos Cup of Fortune, 1980
  • 24 pg. Booklet.

Vernon, Lillian

  • Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Lillian Vernon Fortune Teller Cup, 1985
  • Original folded sheet for Lillian Vernon 's ICG Cup of Fortune.

Wimsatt, Genevieve. Chinese Fortune-Telling Teacup. Wimsatt, 1931.

Tasseomancy Booklets issued by Tea Companies

Benevente, Marcia, Tea Fortunes!. Stephen Leeman Products, Variant covers and advertisements; contents otherwise identical, 1931, 1946.

Bushnell’s Blue Label, How to Read Tea Cups. Bushell’s Ltd, c.1934-1946.

  • At least two editions with identical contents and different photo-covers.]\

Lipton. The Cup of Knowledge — Lipton’s. Thomas J. Lipton, Ltd., 1938.

  • Lipton's Tea Cup of Knowledge, Alfred Meakin Royal Marigold Cup.
  • 16 pg. Booklet

Princess Romana. Your Fortune in the Tea Cup. Thomas J. Lipton, Inc., 1934.

Red Rose Tea

  • Tea Leaf Reading Booklet, Cup of Fortune, Red Rose Tea, c1965
  • 10 pg. Booklet
  • Issued by a tea company, this booklet was also issued in conjunction with the sale of a set of three fortune telling tea cups from the Taylor and Kent pottery company, and so it is double-listed and appears in both categories.

Salada. Cup Reading. Salada Tea, c 1934 - 1940 with variant covers and contents.

Books And Articles About the Tea Room Movement

Brandimarte, Cynthia A., To Make the Whole World Homelike: Gender Space and America’s Tea Room Movement, Winterthur Portfolio 30, No. 1, Spring 1995.

Coleman, Mildred H., Recovering Frances Virginia and the Frances Virginia Tea Room: Transition Era Activism at the Intersections of Womanism, Feminism, and Home Economics, 1920-1962. Thesis, Georgia State University, 2012.

Whitaker, Jan. Tea at the Blue Lantern Inn: A Social History of the Tea Room Craze in America. St. Martin’s Press, 2015.

Articles about Public Tea Leaf Readers

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/tea-room-police-raids-new-york-psychics-fortune-telling


catherine yronwode
curator, historian, and docent
The Mystic Tea Room

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