Amazing the stuff I've tossed into the closet over the years and forgot about. Here's one such item: the Yogee Amazing Answer Board. Maybe I should ask it why I keep tossing so much stuff into my closet. Then again, I may not like the answer, so best to leave sleeping ghosts lie. If you go to eBay you'll see this thing go for hundreds of dollars. Not sure why. It is rather cool, though.
The story behind it is even cooler. Some years ago I was on a nostalgia visit to 1000 Acres dude Ranch (a place where city-slickers learn how to fall off a horse). In a previous post I mentioned how I would vacation there in the 1960s summers for weeks on end (or more like stationed, considering we spent over a month there one summer). During my nostalgia visit I hopped in the car one day to go find a bookstore, somewhat close, that I had learned about. I like visiting small bookstores anywhere, any chance I can. This particular bookstore was noted as carrying magic books (I am a former member of the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians, so yeah, that was a good hook for me). When I got to the bookstore, it was a long, narrow, rectangle of bookshelves and books. I didn't see any magic-related books, though. As I was leaving, the owner, a pleasant fellow (the type you would want to run a bookstore), asked if I was looking for anything specific. He had noticed the look of disappointment on my face. I was kind of shy at that stage of my life so I was glad he asked. Otherwise, I would have left without realizing the wonderful secret hidden at the back of the bookstore.
He said "oh,yes," he had magic books, and led the way. Toward the back of the bookstore he opened a door. Behind the door was an honest to gosh magic shop. Props, tricks, books, posters, you name it, within the glass counters, on the many shelves, and hanging on the walls was enough magic to dazzle an amateur and professional alike. He said the previous owner opened it, it failed, and, well, there you go. It was a blip in time that got stuck, to my delight for sure. That's where I found Yogee: and, after I tallied it all up, quite a few books on magic, a poster or two, and some tricks. It was weird and special, and one of those wow moments that make living a lot of dull ones, in-between, not a problem.
So that's how Yogee found its way into my closet.
The planchette was a simple wooden one. The board came with it and checkers and chess pieces, also simple plastic. Now that you mention your magic 8 ball, this board was made in the 1940s. I bet the glow sections it has are radium. Funny I never thought about that. Gulp.
Posted by: John | August 24, 2022 at 07:28 AM
wow a non weegee ouiji board what did the planchet look like? i of course get all my answers from the magic 8 ball damn it i just checked mine and the blue juice is all dried out
glows in the dark hmm i assume its not old enough to be painted by radium dial?
Posted by: justin | August 23, 2022 at 11:18 PM