"Predict your own future the way you want it."

The future is in your hands with this 1970's Cracker Jack dexterity prize from Makatoy. The fortune teller's crystal ball holds a bright future of peace, fame, good luck, health, and joy. This paper prize with a clear plastic covering is approximately 1 5/16" x 1 3/4"; it is identified as a Cracker Jack prize from series Z-1376 on the back, where instructions are found. The information there reveals that the series was released when Borden owned the brand.

Archival records indicate that there are 35 prizes in this series, but one prize, Bull's Eye, was released in two different color combinations, yellow and red as well as green and blue, so there are 36 to be found. At least some of the prizes in this series were John Craig designs. This colorful set of prizes includes games and mazes, such as the Magic Ribbon below.

"See if you can get to the end of the magic ribbon."

This series of prizes was released more than once with different types of beads; white plastic, dark metal, and copper beads were used. The prizes above have plastic balls; the popular Lucky Star wishing prize below shows a copper ball. If this series follows the sequence of some other Cracker Jack prize series, specifically the pinball games, then the bead material progression was from the metal types to the less expensive plastic.

"Make a wish. Make it come true by getting the ball in YES."

The prizes have one or three beads depending on the challenges of the prizes. For example, a birthday cake with three candles has 3 beads for "lighting" the candles. Interestingly, one prize, "3 for High Score," has been found with six metal balls; but this is probably a production error, and the prize should have only three beads.

 

In Memory of
The Inocent Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on America
September 11, 2001
Your lives will not be forgotten.
As we work and as we play,
we pray for a future of peace.