"Mitchell's Dissected Puzzle Map of the Eastern United States.", Cowperthwait, Desilver & Butler

Rare map puzzle complete with original box and an identical folding "key" map. The map is Mitchell's 1854 map titled "Mitchell's Dissected Map of the Eastern States…," measuring 11" x 16.6", with insets of the Vicinity of Boston & Providence, and Map of New Brunswick Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The map is laid on wood and segmented into more than 50 pieces with six missing and replaced with foam board pieces. Also missing is a tiny piece near Frederickton and another at top margin. Instructions to the young person suggests the key map "should not be seen or referred to, until a patient effort has been made to put the Dissected Map together without it." The original box is constructed of paper over carved wood to simulate a book and is cloth covered with embossed gilt titling on front, complete with the original brass closure mechanism in working condition. Inside the cover, the original paper label explains the puzzle and lists others for sale. Published by Merriam, Moore & Co., Troy, N.Y. The key map is rarely seen, but the puzzle version is virtually unknown. A scarce, early puzzle map complete with the original box and key map.

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Condition: C

The puzzle map is darkened from use and missing the few pieces as noted above. The key map is good with some soiling and a few fold intersection splits with tiny loss. The box cover has rubbing, light stains and is faded. The front cover is detached. The key map and puzzle map are mounted on board and shrunk wrapped for easy display.