Life — May 10, 1900 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Fortunes with Cards" This satirical illustration depicts a well-dressed gentleman in formal attire (tuxedo, bow tie) consulting what appears to be a fortune teller or card reader. The caption references "fortunes with cards" and mentions "the rose and the ten of diamonds, and the next offer of marriage." The satire targets a specific social practice: wealthy men of the era consulting fortune tellers or tarot readers, presumably seeking guidance on romantic prospects and marriage opportunities. The gentleman's formal dress and composed demeanor suggest this was a genuine concern among the upper classes, making the practice a ripe target for Life magazine's social commentary. The illustration mocks both the credulity of fortune-seeking and the superficiality of using cards to guide matters of the heart.