Early Victorian Block Puzzle Depicting Pastoral Childhood Scenes

Mainz, Germany: Joseph Scholz, 1840. Good. Complete and intact, with hand coloring still bright. Minor flaws include water staining, edge wear, light toning and dust soiling, and the occasional slight lift of a corner of paper on the blocks or box.. A scarce early Victorian block puzzle, providing children with six (6) puzzles in one tidy box. This example is complete with all twenty (20) blocks, original box with sliding lid, five (5) example prints, and one (1) final example print pasted to the upper lid of the box. Produced by Joseph Scholz of Mainz, Germany, for the British and German toy markets. The scenes are highly attractive and depict outdoor pastoral scenes of children playing with toys, fishing, flying a kite, or blowing bubbles. Each print and the blocks are lithographed with additional hand coloring. The prints each measure approx. 6.25" by 5". The box measures approx. 7.5" by 6.25" by 2.25", and is adorned with decorated paper. Each block measures approx. 1.25" by 1.25" by 1.25", and the complete assembled puzzle measures approx. 6.25" by 5" by 1.25" Joseph Scholz of Mainz, Germany was a prominent publisher of children's books, prints, and toys, producing everything from toy theaters to board games. His style is marked by well executed hand-colored lithography, and attractive imagery of animals and childhood.