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Physiognomy and Phrenology Posters by Johann Kaspar Lavater and Franz Joseph Gall

 Fonds
Identifier: Coll-2920

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of two illustrated educational broadsides, one on physiognomy by Joseph Kaspar Lavater, and one on phrenology by Franz Jospeh Gall. 1829-1830.

The first is a wall chart showing J. K. Lavater's system of physiognomy, entitled "Das Lavatersche System der Physiognomik, oder die Kunst durch die Constitution, die äusseren Gewohnheiten und vorzüglich durch die Untersuchung der Former des Kopfes und der Gesichtszüge des Menschen dessen Geschmack, Neigungen, Capacität, Anlagen, Grad der Bildung und Reife zu erkennen" ("Lavater's system of physiognomy, or the art of discerning a person's tastes, inclinations, capacity, predispositions, degree of education, and maturity through their constitution, outward habits, and especially through the examination of the head and facial features"). Leipzig: George Maret (printer) for Baumgaertner's Buchhandlung, [ca. 1829].

The second one is a wall chart outlining Gall's theory of phrenology, entitled: "Das Gallsche System der Schaedellehre ueber die Faehigkeiten und Kraefte des Menschen und die Verrichtungen des Gehirns. Nach den letzten vom Dr. Gall kurz vor seinem Tode gemachten Beobachtungen und nach der zweiten vom Dr. Fossati mit der groessten Sorgfalt vermehrten und verbesserten Auflage" ("Gall's System of Cranial Theory Concerning Human Abilities and Powers and the Functions of the Brain. Based on the last observations made by Dr. Gall shortly before his death and on the second edition, meticulously enlarged and improved by Dr. Fossati."). Leipzig: George Maret (printer) for Bäumgaertner's Buchhandlung, [1830].

Dates

  • Publication: 1829-1830

Creator

Language of Materials

German

Conditions Governing Access

Open. Please contact the repository in advance.

Biographical / Historical

Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741-1801) was a Swiss Protestant pastor and poet who popularised physiognomy, the reading of character from facial features. Reacting against Enlightenment rationalism, he postulated that each person has an individual character or genius, which was related metaphysically to his or her facial features.

Franz Joseph Gall (1758-1828) was a German neuroanatomist and physiologist who believed he had established a relationship between aspects of character, called faculties, with precise organs in the brain. His contributions to neuroscience are now discredited as pseudoscience, but had a great influence at the time.

The two broadsides in this collection were published togather, and were advertised as a new publication in the relevant journals of 1830, and were positively reviewed in the Allgemeine Literatur-Zeitung 3 (Sept. 1831), no. 173, pp. 100-101 by an anonymous reviewer.

Full Extent

2 posters ; both: 885 mm x 595 mm

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased in May 2024. Accession no. SC-Acc-2025-0043.

Physical Description

Physiognomy poster: broadside on paper, imperial folio (885 x 595 mm), partly lithograph (260 x 500 mm), partly letterpress, with 24 numbered figures (the four large-format ones coloured), text below in 5 columns and within typographic border; very slightly dust-soiled, a couple of short tears in blank margin; in very good condition.

Phrenology poster: broadside, imperial folio (885 x 595 mm), upper section coloured lithography (250 x 448 mm), the remainder printed letterpress; with 10 figures in the uppert part (the three large-format ones coloured), text below in 5 columns; some light dust-soiling and a couple of short marginal tears; in very good condition.

Processing Information

Catalogued by Aline Brodin in April 2026, using information provided by the seller.

Title
Physiognomy and Phrenology Posters by Johann Kaspar Lavater and Franz Joseph Gall, 1829-1830
Author
Aline Brodin
Description rules
Isad(g)2
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379