Phrenology — the pseudoscientific field of study premised on the theory that a person’s intellect, personality and character can be determined by the shape of his or her skull — was responsible for a host of ills during its heyday in the 19th century and gave a sheen of “scientific” and “biological” truth to racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination.

It was also responsible for the comically absurd illustrations and assertions found in Vaught’s Practical Character Reader, a 1902 volume that aimed to teach the public how to apply the principles of phrenology in judging people’s worth.

Published by Chicago phrenologist L.A. Vaught, who confidently claims that “its facts can be completely demonstrated by all who will take the unprejudiced pains to do so,” the book lays out the 42 known elements of human nature (including Acquisitiveness, Benevolence, Amativeness and Weight) and how they're made manifest in people’s heads, noses, ears and chins.

While the author expounds with conviction on “cruel eyes,” “selfish ears” and “gross, sensual chins,” the illustrator provides diagrams and pictures which have cemented the book as a classic in the genre of unintentional humor.