L'élégant architecte [toy] = Der Elegante Architekt = The elegant architect.

[ca. 1820] ([France or Germany : s.n.])

1 set of building blocks : wood and hand-coloured printed paper ; various sizes in cardboard box 24 x 33 x 6 cm. + 2 sheets ([2] leaves : col. ill. ; 17 x 21 cm.)

An early façade toy, "The elegant architect" comprises over 100 wood pieces cut into various shapes for arranging into buildings, each piece covered on one side with hand-coloured printed designs representing neo-classical building details. The set is accompanied by two hand-coloured illustrations which serve as instruction sheets. "The elegant architect" is reminiscent of the early jigsaw puzzles which originated in the 18th century as 'dissected maps', printed sheets which were indeed sometimes maps, sometimes prints representing historical events or similar subject matter. The sheets were mounted on wood and cut with the aid of a jig, the resulting sets being used as teaching devices. The development of architectural and constructional toys and games continued throughout the 19th century -- many in the form of building blocks with columns, arches, windows and doors, some covered with printed paper, some with and some, like this one, without interlocking devices. While other materials, such as stone, steel and plastic, were eventually used in the manufacture of toys, classic wooden building blocks continue to occupy an important place on the shelves of today's toyshops.

Blocks (Toys) Specimens.
Wooden toys Specimens.
Toys Specimens.
Cubes (Pièces de jeu) Spécimens.
Jouets en bois Spécimens.
Jouets Spécimens.
Blocks (Toys)
Toys
Wooden toys

Stacking assembly system toys.
Specimens

Location: Library main objects 60842
Call No.: TS2301.T7.W6 Z94 1820
Status: Available