"JACK ARMSTRONG/MAGIC ANSWER BOX" THE ONLY 100% COMPLETE EXAMPLE WE'VE SEEN.
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Winning Bid:
$172.50 (Includes 15% Buyer's Premium)
Bids:
1
Bidding Ended:
Thursday, November 13, 2014 12:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Thursday, November 13, 2014 12:00:00 PM)
Time Left:
Ended
Auction:
Auction #213 - Part II
Item numbers 1063 through 2753 in auction 213
Value Code:
I - $400 to $700 Help Icon
Item Description
This is an exceedingly clever premium from Wheaties, 1938. The 4" long original mailing box pictures "Jack Armstrong" at a radio microphone. Box has general wear with small rub where name was removed but is in VG condition with no serious damage. Also included is the extremely rare paper "How To Use..." which comes folded and opens to 3.75x12" long. While this has numerous creases and tiny edge tears it is intact and includes directions for using the premium as well as various suggestions for games and lists of questions to pose to the "Magic Answer Box." The box itself is 3.75" long in dark red tin with black accents. Top center has a window to display an interior silver metal pointer that lines up with a series of answers printed on the tin above the window opening. The window has tiny 1/16" triangle missing along bottom edge. The user poses a question and then places a thumb over an area on the side of the box which has small openings. Heat causes a thin cellophane strip on the interior to then curl thus moving the finely balanced pointer. It takes a few seconds for the heat to build up but the needle will move and does line up with the printed answers ranging from "So What!" and "Yes" at the far left and then going in small increments that can be viewed with the arrow pointing at various "Answers" from "Maybe" to "Try Again" to "No" to "Check!" to the final "Wow!" answer at the far upper right. Needle working at about 1/3 capacity. Possibly improvable by adjustment to the needle or replacement with the one unused cellophane that comes along. Included (with insect minor damage) is first seen small paper explaining how to replace strips. In addition to strip in the box, there is one unused strip and one in two pieces, but probably still useable. Rare and 100% complete.
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