L’Oiseau Bleu – Rare Magnetic Fortune Telling Game, c. 1876

In 1870, the ingenious Léon Saussine patented a new kind of game — a “Jeu Magnétique.” The clever mechanism used a pivoting magnet to link questions with their answers, whether educational, oracular, or delightfully humorous.

This beautiful example, made in 1876, is one of the earliest and rarest of these magnetic games. It comes in its original box with a charmingly engraved lid by Coudert, a well-known draftsman and industrial lithographer active between 1854 and 1890. The publisher-lithographer Jannin of Paris produced it — he collaborated closely with Saussine from 1860 to 1888.

Inside the box is a glass tray, beautifully decorated with lithographed roses framing the central question dial. Around the edge sits a ring of small, colorful round boxes, each containing a paper disk with the answers. In the center is the elegant question dial with a delicate bone knob, hiding a small magnet that activates the spinning Blue Bird. The bird’s tail points to the answer once it comes to rest — revealing secrets such as What will be my future?, What are my faults and qualities?, or Are there jealous people around me? The answers might warn: Beware, you wish to attempt too much, or Many, depending on your question.

The game still works beautifully, with just a fine hairline crack in the glass — visible only on close inspection and not affecting its charm or sturdiness. It remains solid, complete, and original — a rare find for such an early piece.

Léon Saussine was a prolific creator of board games, novelty toys, racing and strategy games, card games, and elaborate shadow theatres. He famously exhibited at the Paris Exposition in 1878. After his death in 1896, his wife and son continued the business well into the early 20th century.

Today, these magnetic fortune-telling games are highly sought after by collectors — and this example, in its original box, is a true treasure.