I found these along with the c. 1860s S.L Hill "City Hall" blocks I just listed, but clearly they were from a separate set, so I divided them out. These I believe may be just a bit later, but if so not much. Again this marvelous combination of rich red and gold, and again, these seem to be super rare; I can find no others out there. I'm sure there were once more blocks in this set, but there is plenty one can construct with the ones that are here, and I especially love the tall narrow columns, which are perfect for supporting the triangular toppers, which read The Village School on one side and Union College on the other.
The best known (and highly coveted) blocks by S.L. Hill (NYC) are beautiful alphabet blocks from the 2nd half of the 19th century, some flat and double sided; others cubes, and the most striking of them incorporating the same rich red as these.) Founded in the 1850s, Hill was the first American manufacturer to produce blocks in mass quantity, by 1860s expanding its offering to include building blocks.
21 blocks total. Square blocks: 1 7/8” x 1 13/16” x 5/8”. Columns: 3 11/16” t. All in very good condition.