Lithographed map dissected to form jigsaw puzzle, hand-colored, mounted on board. Overall 21.5x26.5 cm (8½x10½"), in two-part wooden box with title label on top, introduction and recommendations on the bottom, and a "Table of Explanations, &c." on the inside of the top.
Early jigsaw puzzle map, as Warren Heckrotte notes, "At one time this was thought to be the first U.S. produced jigsaw puzzle, but now it's been determined that the earliest puzzles were published in 1818 by A. T. Goodrich & Co. in New York City - this from a newspaper ad, I don't know whether any examples have been located. The Lockwoods of Philadelphia published some in 1822..." The pieces are cut along county lines - if the location of each county is not known, the task of putting the map together would be "tedious and difficult," to quote one of the recommendations. The recommendations are dated from July 5, 1849 to January 5, 1850. The Table of Explanations lists the principal rivers, canals, and railroads and the counties through which they pass. The present puzzle lacks eight pieces out of about 65 - missing are the counties of Niagara and Orleans in the west; Lawrence in the north; and Richland, Columbia and Albany in the southeast. It also lacks the piece representing Vermont and New Hampshire in the east; and a piece representing part of Lake Erie in the west. These last two form part of the border.
Provenance: Old World Auctions, 2/3/05
References: Williams, The Jigsaw Puzzle, p 24.
Condition:
Wear to box, missing two side pieces, short worm track to Table of Explanations and on one piece; shrink-wrapped to keep the pieces in place; very good.