Herman Rorschach, Psychodiagnostik, Psychodiagnostics Tafeln -- Tables, 1st edition 1921, complete with all 10 ink blot cards in the original brown card folder, book seller label to inside, 19cm x 25cm.

The Rorschach Test is a result of the heyday of psychoanalysis and was Hermann Rorschach’s attempt to open up the unconscious mind. He noticed that when people were presented with inkblot images, they often had completely different perceptions from each other. Rorschach theorised that what images a person perceived would inform a psychoanalyst about the unconscious workings of their client’s mind. Critics of the inkblot test often cite the lack of agreement between therapists about what their client’s perceptions mean, but it is in that ambiguity where the value of the test lies.

Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922), showed an aptitude for science from an early age, eventually studying Medicine at the University of Zurich. Rorschach completed his doctorate under the supervision of Eugen Bleuler, who had also tutored Carl Jung. The influence of Bleuler on his work is evident in the Rorschach Test (1921). Sadly, Rorschach passed away at age 37 from peritonitis.