French Children’s Puzzle

If you’re a French aristocrat longing to relive your childhood, this set of puzzles are for you. These are also for you if you think they are just pretty. Which they are.

A set of three puzzles (“The prayer”, ​“The little review”, and ​“The carriage the she goats”) in original box with paper illustration pasted onto top. Paper illustration features different puzzle (“The swing”) which is not amongst the three in the box (although the box appears to be ​“full” leading us to believe that this is a complete set). ​“The prayer” shows an outdoor scene with a young woman and two children in front of a crucifix, with the young woman kneeling with one child while the other stands and watches. ​“The carriage the she goats” shows another outdoor scene where a group of adults watch over four children in an open top carriage being drawn by a pair of goats. ​“The little review” shows a group of children, armed with rifles, flags, and swords, led by a drummer and a young boy atop a rocking horse. 

No holdings in WorldCat making this a truly rare piece of childhood history.

Format 3 puzzles: 14.5″ x 10.5″ (36 x 26.5 cm). In box: 15″ x 11.5″ x 1″ (38 x 29 x 2.5 cm).

Condition Good condition, with some dirt and tears across puzzles. One piece has corner broken off. Box in poor condition but intact. Includes apparently original tissue guards. 

Published Lithographs by Gangel et P. Didion. Ca. 1860 (this publisher worked in association with Paulin Didion in the 1860s until the business was sold in the 1870s to Jules Dehalt).