This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/1/2025
Magic Marvel / The Wonder Answer Board. Chicago: Lee Industries, ca. 1944. Lithograph on hard cardboard Ouija board. With the original wooden planchette. Depicting the astrological symbols, and two devils on either side of the board's title. Scattered scuffing, light stains. Very good. Scarce.“As demand for talking boards grew throughout 1943 and exploded in 1944, Chicago quickly became the epicenter of production for psychic devices, and few were as prolific or as successful as Lee Industries. Founded by Lee Gethner in the early 1940s, Lee Industries was typical of many Chicago-area novelty dealers of the time, dealing in a wide array of products that could be acquired cheaply and flipped at a profit, including everything from billfolds, ration book wallets, mechanical pencils, and “Lee-Brite" shoeshine kits, to military-style watches, bracelet charms, and even commercial vending machines for razor blades. The company produced many stylish variations of talking boards, including the trademark-infringing Ouija, the alternatively-named Wizard, Yogee—The Amazing Answer Board, the Mecca Answer Board, the Magi “3-Way" Board, and this, the brightly-colored Magic Marvel, the “Wonder Answer Board." – Brandon Hodge, The Mysterious Planchette