Not currently on display at the V&A

Dr Magini

Quiz Game
ca. 1957 (published)
Place of origin

To operate, the figure is first placed in the yellow circle (question side) and turned until its stick points to a question. Then the figure is placed on the mirror (answer side) and it automatically spins until the stick points to the correct answer.

The `trick' used the polarity of magnets much in the same way as the 18th century toy of the Little Artist. The questions and answers are up dated versions of the type used over and over in card and board games.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Dr Magini (manufacturer's title)
  • The Master Mind (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Injection moulded plastic; printed paper; glass
Brief description
Boxed game, Dr Magini, The Master Mind, made in England by Bell in about 1957
Physical description
The figure of Dr Magini is of red and yellow plastic containing a magnet and holding a thin card stick (a replacement). Inside the box is a shelf to which is pasted a yellow plastic circle and a glass mirror. There are four sheets printed both sides with questions and answers and each sheet has three holes - 2 circles to fit over the yellow disc and the mirror and the third shaped to take Dr. Magini. Questions are on the left and answers are on the right of each sheet. The printed sheets have questions and answers about geography, history, ancient history, the arts, natural history and general knowledge.
Dimensions
  • Box length: 42.5cm
  • Box width: 27.3cm
  • Box depth: 4.2cm
  • Dr. magini height: 7cm
Size: 16 3/4in x 10 3/4in x 1 5/8in - box
Production typeMass produced
Copy number
Series 2
Credit line
Given by Major Charles Kirke.
Object history
Given by Charles Kirke in 1983 [83/1156]. Charles Kirke was born January 26, 1949. His mother worked in the toy department of Marshall & Snelgrove, many of the toys which he donated to us were given to him as Christmas presents between 1954 and 1962.
Historical context
The 'trick' used the polarity of magnets much in the same way as the 18th century toy of the Little Artist. The questions and answers are up dated versions of the type used over and over in card and board games.
Production
a bell toy
Summary
To operate, the figure is first placed in the yellow circle (question side) and turned until its stick points to a question. Then the figure is placed on the mirror (answer side) and it automatically spins until the stick points to the correct answer.

The `trick' used the polarity of magnets much in the same way as the 18th century toy of the Little Artist. The questions and answers are up dated versions of the type used over and over in card and board games.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.146-1983

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Record createdMarch 5, 2000
Record URL
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