Magic Rings

by Professor Solomon
http://www.professorsolomon.com
srivi soioxox
:
Magic Rings
I
x axciixr rixis, a iiizio iossissiox oi ax\ woxoii-
worker was his magic ring. One such ringits jewels
brought to him by angelsbelonged to King Solo-
mon. Supposedly, he used it to command the winds and fly
about on a carpet; speak with birds; and compel genies to
do his bidding.
By the Middle Ages, however, magic rings were viewed
with skepticismas evidenced by The History of Reynard
the Fox. In that medieval fable, Reynarda notorious
scampclaims to have inherited a magic ring. On its band,
he says, are three Hebrew words that protect against light-
ning, witchcraft, and temptation. And it has a jewel, he
says, which is divided into three sections. One section is
fiery red, and shines so brightly as to serve as a torch. The
second section is white, and cures illnesses. The third sec-
tion is green, and makes one invincible. But Reynard is
unable to produce this fabulous ring. He has sent it, he
claims dubiously, as a gift to the kinghaving deemed
himself unworthy to wear it.
In our own era, of course, magic rings have been rele-
gated to fairy tales and fantasy games. Or have they? On
hand after hand, one spots a good-luck ring (set with a
birthstone or other lucky gem); a school ring (for mystic
rapport with the institution); a ring with a healing crystal.
And if a magic ring is one that does amazing things, or that
glows with an unearthly light, what about the radio-show
rings of the 1940s? These were offered as premiums to the
youthful listeners of adventure radio shows. To receive one
(along with a set of instructions or a secret manual), you
mailed in a box top from the breakfast cereal that sponsored
the show. Heres a sampling of such rings:
rox xix ricii-i\i iixc. Advertised as glowing in the dark
like a ferocious animal eye.Amaze all your friends with
:
this magic ring.
rox xix siioixc wuisrii iixc. For secretly signaling your
friends.
rox xix xacxir iixc. Picks up pins, paper clips, etc.
;acx aixsrioxc oiacoxs i\i iixc. Yours! This mysteri-
ous ring that glows in the dark!
;acx aixsrioxc ic\iriax wuisrii iixc. Comes with a
card that lists the Secret Whistling Code.
oiiuax axxii x\sric i\i iixc. Equipped with a diagonal
mirror for peeking around corners. (This same ring was later
offered as the ioxi iaxcii ioox-aiouxo iixc.)
cairaix xioxicur x\sric sux-coo iixc. Their best-
known god called Tonatiuh, the Sun God, is shown as the
Aztecs pictured him on the side of your ring.The red plas-
tic stone of your ring symbolizes the altar of the Sun Gods
temple. Its rich, brilliant color simulates the deep red glow of
a genuine ruby.Press gently and watch the stone slide out,
revealing the hidden compartment underneath. (From the
manual, written by Captain Midnight himself.)
sx\ xixc rwo-wa\ riii-niixxii iixc. Has a flasher-light
for sending Morse code messages, and a telescope for receiv-
ing messages. (Different from the sx\ xixc sicxascoii
iixc, which signals with a mirror.)
ioxi iaxcii wiaruii iixc. Changes color if rain or snow
is imminent.
rox xix ioox-ix x\srii\ iixc. Look through its peep-
hole and see Tom Mix and his horse Tony.
nucx iociis iixc oi saruix. According to its instruc-
tions, this ring has magic qualities that make it glow in the
dark with mysterious blue light.the magic power of the
Ring of Saturn is yours!
The magic power of the Ring of Saturn! In former times,
,
such rings were worn only by wizards, and acquired by
supernatural means. By the twentieth century, any boy or
girl could get one by sending in a box top.
(Source: The Overstreet Toy Ring Price Guide, 3rd Edition)