Oh how I love my blocks. And I get especially excited when I find an early and rare boxed set of wooden ones like this, complete with hand-colored lithographs meant to inspire construction.(Probably there were once several more, but two remain, laid flat inside.) This is a German "Gothic Architecture" set, 1850-60, and quite a rare one; I found one closely related set in the archive of a Dutch toy dealer, but not an exact match. On the underside of the slide lid is a printed guide showing how all the blocks are meant to fit together in the box--I found them mixed up but arranged them accordingly, revealing a few blocks missing, but just a couple of perimeter ones. The blocks themselves are very high quality, precisely cut, and a delight to arrange and construct with; I didn't get to spend a lot of time, but they lend themselves to precarious tall towers and satisfying geometric configurations. And just the box itself is terrific, with text in German, French and English on the hand-colored paper label, and pretty green papered sides.
Box 6 7/8" x 6 7/8" x 1 1/2". A few blocks missing as documented, but otherwise very good antique condition, box sturdy and sound, lid closing tight.
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