Typical of Hoopers' output, this small metal-cased Deco-style wall-mounted spinning pointer fortune teller is modest in concept and construction. It employs the well-known half-moon cog mechanism to drive the spinning pointer from a penny's downward momentum.

This card-vending fortune teller was one of several which attempted to blind the public with science, like Brenner's Radio Analyst and Bradshaw's Green Ray. John Brenner, a German compatriot of Charles Ahrens, is credited with discovering the public appetite for such machines.

Simple early astrological fortune telling card dispenser.

Reads: WHEN WERE YOU BORN? If you want your Character, Disposition, Capabilities, and what you will do best in FULLY DESCRIBED, PLACE PENNY IN THE SLOT MARKED THE MONTH YOU WERE BORN IN.

YOUR CHARACTER BY ASTROLOGY - CHARACTERS For Each Month

Rare counter-top machine by little-known maker.  The original glass 'Whom Shall I Marry?' topflash has been replaced on this example. See also Your Photo By X Ray and Your Fortune By Cards.

Dumb blondes and fiery red heads? So your disposition is betrayed by your hair colour! This early, rather plain wall machine exploits the notion, offering personality readings for a penny, a not inconsiderable sum at the turn of the century.

Victorian Demo-Promo 1895 Model by Argyle Automatic 541 Caledonian Rd London N

London entrepreneur Colonel John Hiodini Meurice, Magician born John Jones with the pseudonym Professor John Luigi Meurice Hiodini. Maurice started his business circa 1890 at 39 Argyle Square to sell cards for all types of machines

In order to show cards to buyers he developed his own auto machine without any price tags. Victorian utilitarian design with its rustic paintwork and probably his earliest automatic Catch for quick card loading and visuals without having to lock and unlock the door. Three lift off hinges on each side panel which were possibly for mirror flaps. Two hinges on top for a maker’s name and also a carrying handle. Evidence of previous tags attached to the rear boards. Clairvoyance uses the “magnetism” from mirrors Arnold Genthe Yft photo dates 1895-1906 Crystal Ball shows the fortune.

Arnold Genthe, born Berlin in 1869, died Milford, CT on Aug 9, 1942. He studied classical philosophy, archaeology, and philosophy receiving a PhD in 1894 in Paris; a linguist proficient in eight languages. Genthe moved to San Francisco in 1895 and opened a portrait studio working with gelatin dry-plate negatives in platinum and silver where he produced monochromes and he started colour in 1908.

Yfdaa places her hands gently on the crystal ball to energise it and to strengthen the psychic rapport; she allows her eyes to relax and become slightly unfocused and stares deeply to visualise the question. A mist starts to form in the crystal ball which slowly grows to fill the ball, gradually it clears to reveal images; her subconscious mind knows what information you need to know. The images may not be related to your question but the more she works with the crystal ball the better Yftaa will get at being able to see and let the images flow. They will change and take you wherever they choose you to go. All will eventually be revealed and become understood.

Each crystal ball is unique and has its own individual personality and emit energy in all directions and can produce visions when stared at for a long time. Light reflected from a polished surface will eventually exhaust the eye's sensitive optic nerve so that it stops transmitting an external image. Without an exterior impression to fix itself on, the eye begins to respond to stimuli coming from the mind or subconscious of itself, from the past, the present or the future.

Repatriated with two original demo "Wings" Now has a full set of original cards & back lighting

This little counter-top machine with cast aluminium front is a relatively late version of a fortune telling theme introduced by BMCo. in the early 1900s to exploit the public fascination with X-Rays. A penny inserted releases a drawer to deliver a cartoon image of a skeletal male or female, replete with hat, bonnet, pipe, etc.  See also Whom Shall I Marry? and Your Fortune By Cards.