Risqué Gag Gift "THOSE WHO LIKE TO SEX-ERCISE" 1950s

"FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO SEX-ERCISE" Risqué Novelty Gag Gift from the 1950s. 

On the outside of the box is a drawing of a woman exercising using an automatic exercise belt and a man lifting weights.  Inside the box is the gag—a blue paddle with a "boob" attached by a string to a small ping pong paddle on an insert that reads: Keep That Knocker Up!  The box measures 6” by 3 ½” by 1" and is in good structural condition.

The gag gift was made by Golden's Magic Wand of Costa Mesa, California founded by Eddy Golden.  Initially, the business began as a small retail store in Pasadena, selling such staples as whoopee cushions, fake vomit and magic-kits.  Over 75 years, it grew into one of the nation’s largest suppliers, manufacturers and importers of magic devices, novelties, party gifts, jokes and costumes. The company’s name was a combination of his Eddy's last name and his love for the performing magic tricks.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A GAG BOX?  According to collectors, the whole idea is to entice you to open the box up--like a funny three-dimensional greeting card.  When you open it, it's not at all what you expected--but a gag! 

Gag boxes became very popular during World War II and actually held priority with mail service during the War.  When the Washington D.C. postal service office was asked why these risqué and funny gag boxes got to the troops when other things didn't, they answered, “We’ve had combat fatigue cases that never cracked a smile for weeks until somebody handed them a gag.” Ain’t that neat?