NINETEENTH CENTURY MAGNETIC FORTUNE-TELLING GAME - LUDOVIC (illustrator). L'Ange Gabriel, jeu de bonne aventure. Paris, L.S. Circa 1891.
Fine French, boxed, nineteenth-century magnetic fortune-telling game; the original box decorated with onlaid printed floral and gilded papers to all sides with lift-off lid with onlaid full-size lithographed plate prettily handcoloured and heightened with gum arabic or varnish, box size circa 270 x 22mm, inner lid with onlaid with original aquamarine coated paper and printed explanatory rules slip or "Notice Explicative"; the box containing 8 small boxes with gilded paper lids with onlaid pictorial chromolithographed labels depicting different scens, each box containing 6 numbered, and printed, game cards on paper, these "matchboxes" affixed above floral chromolithographed paper on a glass plate with additional patterned roundel "Cote de la Demande" in the centre above a spinning die-cut chromolithographed angel figure with pointer, complete with printed card magnetic question spinner with metal finial; some light rubbing, and soiling, and minor signs of use; no apparent restorations; rare if not unique.
An exquisite fully-functioning and complete fortune-telling game for children, devised in 1891 by Leon Saussine.
The player selects one of 8 questions on the spinner ("Ferai-je un Voyage") which magnetically determines the box containing the top of 6 relevant answers ("Oui et on ne sera pas fache de te vois partir"). All questions relate to personal qualities or future lives of the participant players. The Angel Gabriel is characterised as the bringer of hope and good news.
#2119601