Your Fortune Postcards
In the early 20th century, Joseph Welch and
Sons, a publishing company based in Portsmouth, England, produced a captivating
series of fortune-telling postcards known as “Your Fortune Postcards.” These
postcards featured middle-aged women dressed as mystical “Gypsy” seers,
predicting the futures of affluent women. Each card contained cryptic messages
for the reader.
The collection included three distinct types
of divination:
1. Tea Leaf Reading: These postcards depicted images of tea leaves with
accompanying phrases like “A new lover now I see / A jealous lover, seems to me
/ At odds he’ll quickly be with three.” These poetic lines hinted at romantic
entanglements and potential conflicts.
2. Wheel of Fortune: Examples of these cards include
“To-get-a-husband-A-Happy-New-Year-JWS-18” and “Your Lover’s Feelings-JWS-19.”
The former encouraged hope for marital bliss, while the latter explored the
emotions of one’s beloved.
3. Palmistry Readings: These cards provided detailed palmistry insights.
For instance, one card might predict, “You will marry a partner of fair
complexion and good temper. You will find happiness in wedlock, but will marry
more than once.”
Joseph Welch and Sons published nearly 4,000
postcards, primarily featuring locations in southern England and the Channel
Islands. Their intriguing blend of art, mysticism, and fortune-telling
continues to captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike.
If you happen to possess any of these vintage postcards or have higher-quality images to share, feel free to reach out. I’m actively interested in acquiring these unique pieces of divinatory history.