The Curious Tale of Grover Cleveland’s Spooky Wedding Gift: A Proto-Ouija Board
When it comes to wedding gifts, most couples expect to receive household items, linens, or silverware. However, President Grover Cleveland and his wife, Frances Folsom, were given a far more unusual present - a precursor to the modern-day Ouija board. In this captivating tale, we’ll delve into the origins of this spooky gift and explore its significance in the commercialization of the iconic “talking board.”
The Rise of Spiritualism and Mystical Boards
In the aftermath of the Civil War, a newfound interest in spiritualism - the belief in communicating with the dead - swept across the nation. Grieving families sought solace and connection with their departed loved ones, fueling the popularity of mediums and mystical practices. One such practice involved the use of boards adorned with letters, numbers, and words, which, when used in conjunction with a planchette (a small pointer or movable indicator), could ostensibly spell out messages from the spirit realm.
These “talking boards” quickly became a nationwide craze, capturing the imagination of the public. Companies were quick to capitalize on this trend, creating their own unique versions of these supernatural devices.
W.S. Reed Toy and Manufacturing’s Witch Board
One such company was W.S. Reed Toy and Manufacturing, based in Leominster, Massachusetts. Recognizing the commercial potential of the “talking board” phenomenon, they developed their own version called the “Witch Board.” Seeking a novel marketing strategy, the company decided to leverage the upcoming nuptials of President Grover Cleveland as a means of garnering attention for their product.
In a daring move, W.S. Reed Toy and Manufacturing sent Cleveland their very own Witch Board as a wedding gift, along with a letter extolling its supposed power to “disclose the past and forecast the future.”
The President’s Response and Lasting Impact
While Cleveland expressed appreciation for the sentiment behind the gift, he politely declined to test the board’s alleged abilities, stating that he could “admire it for its ingenuity” but would not immediately use it to hold séances in the Oval Office.
Despite the president’s lukewarm reception, the exchange between Cleveland and the company was chronicled in newspapers, inadvertently providing invaluable publicity for the “talking board” craze. This media coverage helped commercialize and popularize the concept, paving the way for future models like the Espirito board and, ultimately, the iconic Ouija board.
The Legacy of the Witch Board
According to Robert Murch, head of the Talking Board Historical Society, it is unknown whether another Witch Board was ever manufactured after the initial batch. However, the Witch Board’s place in history is cemented as the earliest known mass-manufactured talking board, and its connection to President Cleveland adds an intriguing layer to its legacy.
While W.S. Reed Toy and Manufacturing eventually ceased production of the Espirito board and was absorbed by another company, the impact of their daring marketing move lives on. As Murch aptly stated, “Other board manufacturers can say they [entered] people’s homes, [but] this one made it into the White House.”
Conclusion
The story of Grover Cleveland’s spooky wedding gift serves as a testament to the enduring fascination with the mystical and the unknown. What began as an audacious marketing ploy by a toy manufacturer evolved into a cultural phenomenon that captured the public’s imagination and paved the way for one of the most iconic and recognizable “talking boards” of all time – the Ouija board.
Today, the Ouija board remains a subject of curiosity, debate, and intrigue, with its origins firmly rooted in the spiritual curiosity and commercial ingenuity of 19th-century America. And at the center of this captivating tale stands President Grover Cleveland, unwittingly thrust into the spotlight as the recipient of a peculiar gift that would leave an indelible mark on the history of the mystical and the macabre.