The Mysterious Box By Jean Van Den Hielakker, 1890

The Art of Predicting the Future by Jean VAN DEN HIELAKKER, an engineer of arts and manufactures from Paris, is presented in the MYSTERY BOX. This box contains seven octagonal metal reels covered with paper cards and operated by a lever on the side. The rules of the game, affixed to the inside of the lid, explain how to interpret the predictions. This game, unknown to all publications on slot machines, divination, or fairground arts, must have existed or been planned in an eight-reel version, as indicated in the description, but no other example is known. It is certain that this game was not intended for peddlers but for a noble or upper-class audience for use in private salons. The exterior is inlaid with burr walnut or macassar ebony, mother-of-pearl, and brass, typical of the 1850s-1870s. Dimensions: 34 x 17 x 17 cm. Functional condition, but needs cleaning and lubrication.