Gravedigger Ouija Board by Impale Design, impale76 on Ebay, for $15

While the practice of automatic writing as a method of communication with the dead has been around for centuries, the Ouija Board we are familiar with today has been around for less than 150 years. Also known as a spirit board or talking board, the board was popularized in late nineteenth century America. Spiritualism had swept the nation, and drove the development of techniques that anyone could use at home to contact the spirit world. While Baltimore residents Elijah J. Bond, Charles W. Kennard and William H. A. Maupin filed the first patent in 1890, it’s doubtful that they actually invented the device. Rather, they probably profited from an existing fad. They did coin the term Ouija, apparently by asking the board what it would like to be called during a session. Ouija were the letters it spelled out.  Parker Brothers Games actually owns the trademark for Ouija now.

Whether it’s a game or a channel for communication with the other side, the spirit board can make an excellent Halloween decoration.  I searched the web for the darkest designs.

Cosmo Bryant's Beyond the Grave Spirit Board from Ebay seller curiousimp for $19.99

The Toxic Toons Ouija Board is available on Toxic Toons' webstore for $25. See the front of the board (left) and back (right) includes planchette.

Parting the Veil Ouija Witch Board from Carnivalia for $45

Custom Made Halloween Spirit Board, hand painted from Witches Castle for $80

Demonic Channeling Ouija Board from Witch Board World for $95

Miss Fairweather's Leather Travel Spirit Ouija Board is handburnt on leather and can be rolled up for transport. By Hollymessinger on Etsy for $98

Ouija Board Crow Raven Victorian Goth Wood Spirit Game from Ebay seller andywa78 for $115

Ouija Board Blood Dreams by GRavenNY on Etsy for $120

Spirit Board by LordMock on Etsy for $150

Aleister Crowley Ouija Board is made by Woodford Tattoo in a limited edition of 50 for £200.00

Skull Planchette Spirit Pointer is made quarter inch birch plywood laser etched and cut with a polyurethane finish by LordMockDesigns on Etsy for $5

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 18th, 2011 at 8:26 am and is filed under Decorations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.