This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/1/2025
Mystic Soothsayer. Ludington, MI: WM. F. Drueke & Sons, ca. 1944. Black and white screen-printed wooden Ouija board with astrological symbols. Paint was originally glow-in-the-dark. 15 x 20". Scattered scuffing and staining; surface crack to left side. Good.
“William F. Drueke & Sons of Michigan began as a stationary and novelty business during the years of the First World War before moving into manufacturing of products to feed America's growing fascination with board games, producing popular versions of backgammon and cribbage by utilizing Grand Rapids' ample population of talented woodworkers. By 1942, the company had morphed into Wm. F. Drueke & Sons, and continued as a full-fledged family affair, with all members of the company's board of directors having the Drueke surname. The company introduced its Mystic Soothsayer in the early 1944 to take advantage of the massive upswing in popularity of talking boards during that period, with industry ads in Playthings declaring this once-luminous “Midnite"[sic.] version “Another Smash Entertainment Hit" that “Glows in the Darkest Night!"
– Brandon Hodge, The Mysterious Planchette