Catalog Archive
Auction 157, Lot 155

"[Puzzle Map] Outline Map of United States", Milton Bradley Co.

Subject: United States

Period: 1900 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
13.4 x 9.1 inches
34 x 23.1 cm
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Complete, early 20th century dissected wooden puzzle map of the United States and territories. The 48-state map includes insets of Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the Philippines. The map is a brightly colored lithograph showing major railroads, rivers, state capitols and major cities. The capitol of Oklahoma is Guthrie, which was moved to Oklahoma City in 1910. In Idaho, Boise is labeled Boise City. Complete with cardboard box.

Milton Bradley established his color lithography shop in 1860 and soon thereafter started making board games. During the Civil War he produced small games that soldiers could easily pack in their knapsacks – considered the first American travel games. By the 1870s the company was producing dozens of different types of games and in 1880 began making jigsaw puzzles. Milton Bradley was an early advocate of the idea of kindergarten and many of the company’s products were educational in nature.

References:

Condition: B+

Condition code is for the puzzle map, which is very good with some light toning, soiling and scattered foxing. Box is present, but has been crushed and is no longer useful for its intended purpose.

Estimate: $120 - $150

Sold for: $75

Closed on 5/4/2016

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