Lucky Manx cat bingo card holder
Date made: 1960s
Description: A hardboard bingo card holder with a lucky black Manx cat design on it. The bingo card holder was produced as a tourist souvenir from the 1960s onwards to remind visitors of their holiday on the Isle of Man and to bring them good luck whenever (and wherever) they played bingo. The object was bought from 'Jurby Junk' in 1987, as an example of a popular 1960s-1970s Manx tourist souvenir.
The bingo card holder has a design of a lucky black Manx cat, an outline of the Isle of Man and the inscription 'Lucky Bingo from the Isle of Man'. The design combines a traditional symbol of good luck, the black cat, with popular Manx tourist symbols, such as a Manx cat and outline of Isle of Man.
Folklore and superstitions may seem to be a thing of the past, but the desire to promote good luck is still important today, particularly with games of chance such as bingo and lotteries. A lucky bingo card holder combines a 'cheap and cheerful' holiday souvenir with an object that many people could and would use on holiday and at home when playing bingo.
Jurby junk closed its doors in 2017 after more than 40 years as one of the Isle of Man's well known attractions. It sold an eclectic mix of bric a brac and books and its owner Stella Picton was somewhat of a local celebrity.
Materials: wood
Object name: bingo card holder
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1987-0425