Augsburg(?) 1760(?)

A Most Unusual Map Puzzle of Africa :  AFRICA, Concinnata Secundum Ob. | servationes Membror. Acad. | Regal Scientiarum et non= | nullorum aliorum, et juxta | recentissimas annotationes. | Per G. de L Isle Geographum | Augustæ Vindelicor: | prostat apud | TOBIAM CONR: LOTTER | CALCOGR.

Original copperplate printed map dissected and then assembled into a map puzzle, with original wooden box, wrapped in marbled paper with title strip of "AFRICA". 

Map #AF-567   
$2,750

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Much of the literature states that dissected map puzzles were probably invented by John Spilsbury in London.  Spilsbury (1739-1769) was apprenticed to Thomas Jefferys and then opened his own shop.  He described himself as an "engraver and map dissector in wood in order to facilitate the Teaching of Geography".  At one time, he had 30 different map puzzles for sale.  However, there are references to other early map puzzle-makers in the early 1760s, notably those from Amsterdam and elsewhere in continental Europe.  It is assumed that this map puzzle was produced in Augsburg around 1760, as the Lotter map of Africa was issued at this time in Augsburg.

References:  Bekkering, Geert, Dissected Maps to facilitate the teaching of geography, in Caert-Thressor 22 (2003) 2, p.47-51.  Shefrin, Jill, Make it a Pleasure and Not a Task, in Princeton University Library Chronicle, Winter 1999, p. 251-275.

Very Good condition overall, especially considering this maps active use, with some spotting and one small facsimile piece representing Madagascar.  This is the first time that we have had a map puzzle from this time-period, and in this good collectible condition.