Box Cover: Dissecting map, New York. / McCleary, Samuel ; Pierce, John / 1850

Box Cover: Dissecting map, New York. McCleary, Samuel ; Pierce, John, 1850

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Full Title: (Box Cover to) Dissecting Map of the State of New York. Published by McCleary & Pierce, Watervliet centre, Albany Co., N.Y. (with) McCleary & Pierce's Geographical Analysis of the State of New York, Albany 1850. Patented Sep. 1849.

Author: McCleary, Samuel ; Pierce, John

Date: 1850

This historical cartographic image is part of the David Rumsey Historical Map Collection, www.davidrumsey.com, a large collection of online antique, rare, old, and historical maps, atlases, globes, charts, and other cartographic items. Read more about the Collection. Or you can view the entire David Rumsey Map Collection in Insight.

Full David Rumsey Map Collection Catalog Record:

Author: McCleary, Samuel ; Pierce, John

Date: 1850

Short Title: Box Cover: Dissecting map, New York.

Publisher: Watervliet Center, Albany Co., N.Y.: McCleary & Pierce.

Type: Puzzle

Object Height cm: 20

Object Width cm: 25

Note: Box covered in green paper with a description of the puzzle map enclosed. At one point the box had clasps, now missing, to secure the lid to the bottom.

Reference: Williams, p. 6.

State / Province: New York

List No: 4086A

Series No: 1

Published In: Dissecting Map of the State of New York. Published by McCleary & Pierce, Watervliet centre, Albany Co., N.Y. (with) McCleary & Pierce's Geographical Analysis of the State of New York, Albany 1850. Patented Sep. 1849.

Publication Author: McCleary, Samuel ; Pierce, John

Publication Date: 1850

Publication Reference: Williams, p. 6.

Publication Note: A puzzle map of New York State, made of wood pieces, one for each county, with larger border pieces, all housed in a wooden box with printed paper covers. Each county piece is covered with printed paper giving the name of the county, the county seat, and a number. Williams lists this puzzle as the earliest known children's puzzle made in the United States. The box has many printed testimonials from prominent educators such as Emma Willard and the president of Union College, and from Governor Hamilton Fish. McCleary and Pierce patented their method of die cutting map puzzles in 1849 (Williams). On the inside cover of the box is a printed Table of Explanations, &c. giving distances, geographical statistics, and the course of rivers, canals and railroads through the numbered puzzle pieces.

Publication List No: 4086.000

Publication Type: Puzzle

Publication Maps: 1

Publication Height cm: 22

Publication Width cm: 28

Image No: 4086A

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