Antique
World Map Puzzles
-A private collection-
Latest Craze!
Latest Craze!
Thank you for visiting my website and welcome to Part 2 of my BCD column "Mapping the World with Maria". The FAR-FAR-AWAY One Text will follow after publication in BCD Jigsaw Magazine Autumn 2023. Not jet a member of the BCD Jigsaw Club? Then join here!
Wonderful and interesting jigsaw series with dates and facts about World War 2. 5 Puzzles, each 300 cardboard pieces made by Franklin MFG. Philadelphia / USA in 1942/1943. The world map was drawn by Stanley Francis Turner (1883-1953) and exists in at least 25 different versions (1940-1945). Got to item.
You can find lots of old geographical block puzzles in France but to get one from other countries is more than difficult - especially from Spain. So, like every time I have the chance to buy rare items I'm so happy about this small treasure. Unfortunately, there is no hint about its manufacturer or the map maker. It has 12 cubes made from cardboard (NOT wood!!!) and was made in the late 19th / early 20th century. In total, it shows six maps (the World, America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Spain with Portugal. Go to item.
A small but historical doublesided jigsaw from the American WILDER company. No. 111. Made from thick plywood. 35 pieces only, but with a great image of the 'RMS Bengaria', a former German ship.
Some years ago I could buy some great wooden map puzzles, 14 in total made by Guillaume Issleib and published by Issleib & Rietzschel, Gera (Germany). The original maps were used for a Popular Atlas in France: "Petit atlas populaire sur toutes les parties de la terre à l'usage des écoles et des familles dressé et puplié. Complet en 14 cartes typographiques coloriées." from 1873.
This is an item I had on my wish list long time ago - since I've discovered Joe's amazing website icollectpuzzles.com. A doublesided jigsaw with 54 7mm-solid-wood-pieces showing the maps of the world an the United States. This teaching puzzle was made by D. & M.C. Wiggins from New Haven, N.Y. which probably was manufactured for the Silent Teacher series. At the upper and lower part of this map you can find the history of the genesis and exploration of the world. Some lower texture was cut for the jigsaw - so I will try to find the original print. Unfortunately there is no box but the jigsaw is in great condition. I guess it's from the 1880s. Go to the item.
This German geographical game (No. 291) from the 1900s is a forerunner of the "Geographical Puzzle Game" (No. 491) - both made by Joseph Scholz. It's called "Around the World" and includes 6 map boards with its continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania). Each map has 8 small cards on which you find questions about geography and politics. The answers were printed at the map boards. Go to the item.
Some new amazing stuff for my collection - bringing two of my passions together: map puzzles and stamps! An antique German cube game titled "Brief-Marken" (Postage Stamps - Timbres Poste) with 70 "cubes" cut into halves (3,7cm). It's from the 1870s because of the map made by Issleib & Rietzschel in the late 1860s-1870s. Unfortunatley there are missing two pieces - but because the models are there I can replace them. I love the extraordinary box with its design and the gorgeous and interesting-looking clasp for opening the box. Go to the item.
To find geographical puzzles from the middle of the 19th century is not so easy - especially if you are looking for German ones. So I was excited to get this small but awesome collection of puzzle maps from the 1850s / 1860s:
A really crazy world map puzzle from a member of the BCD! It has an unusual strange cutting style and the wooden pieces look like little people beckoning to somebody... It was so funny to assemble it because I needed to laugh with every piece I hold in my hand! Like the pieces were saying "Hi" to me... In the internet I saw a similar one with another boring cut - but without a "original" box too. I guess that they were a giveaway without a box or in a bag / envelope. The box says "A Rutherglen Jig-Saw" (that's what I'm reading) - but no idea, what that could mean (except that Rutherglen is a town right next to Glasgow / Scotland. Unfortunatley there is no allusion to any manufacturer.