16 Paper-covered wooden bricks contained in original box with descriptive commentary on inner lid.

DESCRIPTION: The game consists effectively of 16 double-brick, each an oblong cube with 8 division to four of the side [the upper and lower sides being left blank. Into these 8 division are engraved text or hand-coloured illustrations. The bricks can be arranged together in four different ways to fprm four stories comprised of text and hieroglyph picture. These four storeis are given in the 'Key to the Four Stories' pasted into the box lid, where the picture text is signified within commas.
The material of the bricks is wood paper covered. The box is constructed of textured cloth lined with marbled paper. There is no clue as manufacturer or date.
A very rare Victorian educational game, clearly English from the several topographical references, probably dating to about 1850. Its production must have been time consuming and problematic, hence very few would have been produced, fewer still surviving complete and intact. The stories themselves reflect the natural history interests of the period, one about fossel hunting, and were clearly aimed at education young children in this area of science. The construction fo the stories is however extremely challenging - as we can confirm from having tried one. Each requires is own arrangement of the series, with top and bottom portions of each brick matching up to the story sequence.
We have been able to trace no other such set of bricks nor any similar toy.

SIZE: Box is 4.75 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches.

CONDITION: Box has fold over top which is worn at hinge. Slight soiling commensurate with age and use but in very good condition for a children's toy.

SOLD

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