ABOUT THIS COLLECTION  
The subject of phrenology, or the idea that a person’s intellect, personality, and character can be determined by the shape of his or her skull, is already bizarre, but L.A. Vaught (1860-1903) took it to unique extremes with his 1902 “Vaught’s Practical Character Reader.”  This self-published volume of 257 pages, with illustrations on nearly every page (five of which are offered here), is one of the most unintentionally funny books ever produced. Where phrenology focuses only on skull shape and bumps to read character, Vaught’s “research” allowed him to add facial features to the list. He lays out his 42 elements of human nature (such as acquisitiveness, slovenliness, benevolence, pugnacity, etc.) and explains how they can be “read” in people’s heads, noses, ears, and chins. “Its facts can be completely demonstrated by all who will take the unprejudiced pains to do so,” Vaught states in the introduction. “It is ready for use. It is practical. Use it.”
 
COLLECTION DETAILS
Series title: Phrenology Diagrams
Series size: 05 artworks
Edition: Limited edition of 1000
Proof of Ownership: Certification on the Ethereum blockchain under the ERC1155 protocol. Each artwork is delivered privately and directly to collectors as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that guarantee proof of ownership.
Format: Pieces consist of PNG files sized 2160x3840 pixels - 150 dpi.
Medium: Illustration
Artwork Material: Illustration paper
Contract Address: 0x495f947276749ce646f68ac8c248420045cb7b5e
ID: 2749212597480566...
 
ABOUT THE ARTIST
These illustrations are the only known artistic output by L.A. (Louis Allen) Vaught, and they are as eccentric as his theories: “The higher the crown the more pride. The finer the hair the finer the brain,” just to name two of many. His system of "character reading" was part of the 19th century’s New Thought movement, a loose grouping of self-help theories designed to bring success to life. A Chicagoan, Vaught made a business out of his theories. He started the Chicago Institute of Phrenology, which offered a course for $100, along with a "Phrenological Typewritten Examination" ($6.00), and a "Complete Typewritten Life Guide" ($10.00).  It also published Phrenological News to keep up with the latest in character reading.
 
COLLECTION CREDITS
Historical curatorship: HARI - Historical Art Research Institute (HARI Editions)
Artwork: Louis Allen Vaught
Year of original publication: 1902
Post-production: HARI - Historical Art Research Institute (HARI Editions)
Digital art supervisor: Marie-Lou Desmeules
Editorial: Braden Phillips
Historical research: Evangelos Rosios, Braden Phillips
Executive production: Victor Zabrockis
 
RIGHTS OVERVIEW
Source of artwork: Library of Congress
Underlying work rights: PD Worldwide
Digital copyrights: No Additional Rights