1913 Rare fortune-telling Game Board "The White Elephant"

A remarkably rare fortune-telling board game titled “The White Elephant Predicts the Future” (Le Jeu de l’Éléphant Blanc Prévoit l’Avenir), published in Paris by Saussine around 1913.
This charming early-20th-century game comes in its original box, beautifully illustrated and complete with its mysterious white elephant motif — a reference to the fascination for spiritualism and clairvoyance that swept through Europe at the time.

Unlike the modern “white elephant” gift exchange known today, this early version was a true fortune-telling game, inspired by the séances and predictions of Mademoiselle Couédon, one of the most celebrated clairvoyants of the late 19th century. Players would consult the elephant and uncover hints of their destiny — love, luck, or misfortune — in a playful yet mystical atmosphere.

History

The publisher, Léon Saussine, was one of the most important French makers of educational and entertainment board games. His Parisian firm, Éditions Saussine, flourished from the 1860s to the 1960s and was renowned for its high-quality lithography and beautifully boxed games.
Léon Saussine, originally from the Gard region of France, patented his first magnetic game in 1870 and exhibited his creations at the Exposition Universelle of 1878, where he was listed as a manufacturer of cardboard and educational games — including illustrated alphabets, atlases, puzzles, and constructions.

The White Elephant game perfectly captures the Belle Époque’s fascination with the supernatural, combining the elegance of Saussine’s craftsmanship with the mystical allure of fortune-telling. Today, examples of this game are exceedingly rare, making it a collector’s treasure and a captivating glimpse into the playful side of early spiritualism.