Dissected puzzle
John Betts (fl.1844-1863)
Category
Sports equipment, games and pastimes
Date
1845
Materials
Wood and paper
Measurements
Completed Puzzle – 402 mm (width); 319 mm (height), Box –183 mm (width); 227 mm (height); 50 mm (depth), Book -102 mm (width); 160 mm (height)
Place of origin
Strand, 115
Collection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 662814
Summary
A dissected puzzle entitled 'The Dockyard and the Ship in all its Stages', in a wooden box with a sliding lid (circa 1845). On the lid is a printed colour illustration of some ships being constructed. The title, 'The Dock Yard and the Ship in all it’s Stages' is below this illustration printed in blue and pink ink between the Union Flag and a set of tools. The makers name is at the bottom. The box contains a wooden dissected puzzle showing eleven colour illustrations of the life of a ship. Each illustration is labelled underneath. There is an unlabelled illustration showing different ships. There is a missing piece and parts of pieces and some illustrations are damaged. There is a 19 page booklet inscribed on the cover with the title and price. This booklet explains the life of a ship in detail. The last page and the back cover give details of other toys manufactured by Betts. Total number of items is 52.
Marks and inscriptions
Bottom of puzzle: London, John Betts, 115 Strand, nearly opposite Exeter Hall.
Makers and roles
John Betts (fl.1844-1863), maker