Sign alphabet exhibition – Guide to Chirology

Guide to chirology. Watford, H.Ash. 18-?

Harry Ash (1863-1934) perhaps produced this pamphlet initially in the late1880s or the 1890s.  A pencil note on the first page says ‘Design at 24.  “X” marked on each.’  If this is a note by Ash, it would suggest that those parts were designed in 1887/8.  It is interesting that Ash, who, in his last five months at school had taught himself French while the other boys were sleeping, revived the term ‘chirology’ that was used by Bulwer.

I have scanned the whole document as a pdf here – Guide to Chirology.  It is very much of its time and has stereotypes we would avoid today.