Old Gypsy Fortune Telling Cards

N.pl: Whitman Publishing Co, 1940. Good. Toned with dust soiling. Instructions sheet damaged with two panels loose/detached.. An early 1940s deck of "Old Gypsy Fortune Telling Cards", allowing players to tell fortunes in the comfort of their own home. This set is complete with the thirty-six (36) cards, original illustrated box, and the original printed instructions sheet. The instructions offer a sample reading, the meaning of each card's symbol (e.g. a snake portends "great misfortune"), and instructions for how to shuffle, draw, and lay out the cards for a reading. Offers insight into fortune, friendship and, of course, matters of the heart: "When a woman's fortune is being told, she is represented by the queen of hearts, Card No. 14, and the king is the man in whom she is most interested. When a man's fortune is being told, he is represented by the king of hearts, Card No. 15, and the queen is the woman in whom he is interested." Has vague references to tarot and the like. Each card measures approx. 3.5" by 2.25"; box measures approx. 3.5" by 2.25" by 0.75"; and the instructions sheet measures approx. 3.5" by 2.25" The term "Gypsy" was widely used by the public in 1940, but is generally now considered a disparaging slur for the Romani ethnic group when used by individuals outside of this group.