LIFT THE FLAP PUZZLE CARD

An intricate series of hand made paper puzzles.

c. 1860. Large card with pre-printed border, 315 x 235 mm. with 15 lift-the-flap leaves and 4 circular lift-the-flap flowers. The flowers and leaves each reveal some facet of 'my intended': age, name, profession, character, etc. A popular pastime for young ladies in the 19th century, this example is especially large and intricately constructed, the flowers in particular show a great level of skill.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 43389

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

DIORAMA

The Thames at Lambeth.

c. 1850. A handmade diorama in contemporary wooden glazed frame, measuring 620 x 440 mm. [730 x 550 mm. frame size] Some minor repairs, but apart from the backing paper, all the frame parts and glass are original. A stunning 'miniature' diorama scene of the River Thames at Lambeth, viewed from the opposite bank and showing Lambeth Palace, The Ship Tavern, and Wencell [Wentzell] boat builders. Together with two Thames barges, three small steam tugs and other river craft, this is an attractive and early example of the art of miniature three dimensional imaging. This can be clearly dated within a fairly narrow period: Andrew Gotleip Wentzell (not Wencell) held the Ship Tavern and traded under his own name as boatbuilder from sometime after 1847, his previous partner, Cownden being declared bankrupt in 1847> and perhaps 1852 when he entered into partnership with a Mr. Law. Even if the trading name was never changed on the side of the property, the new Lambeth Bridge (built 1860-2) is not shown, narrowing the date of the image to between 1847 and 1860. Although dioramas in some form were known in the 18th century, they were popularised in the early 19th century by Bouton and Daguerre who mounted large scenes for viewing by paying audiences. Normally these would illustrate some historical event or an impressive landscape view. Miniature dioramas, as here, came later and were not suitable for mass audience viewing, probably created for personal display, or small exhibitions. They are now commonly used in museums and galleries throughout the world, but in these early years would have been of limited interest and this survival is extraordinary. The prominence of the names on the side of the buildings, Lawrence, and Wencell/Wentzell at the Ship Tavern, suggest that this may have been commissioned for one or the other, most likely for display in the Tavern where it would have been much admired. Perhaps the small boats on the Thames were built by Wentzell. [For illustrative purposes, some of the images shown here were taken during the refixing of the glass and frame to show the diorama free of reflection and distortion.]

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 41576

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

TRANSFORMATION/LIFT THE FLAP

Country House Through Driveway Gates.

c. 1820. Hand made and watercolour of a substantial country house concealed behind solid driveway gates. 140 x 160 mm. with traces of old mounts on the four corners.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 43364

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

TRANSFORMATION/LIFT THE FLAP

A Dear Little Soul.

No publisher or printer, c. 1840? A cut out hand coloured lithograph, 175 x 260 mm. maximum size. A rather bizarre lift the flap piece showing a large fish [a sole?]> when the body of the fish is lifted a baby on a cushion is revealed. The child possibly represents Victoria, the Princess Royal, the eldest child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 43363

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

LIFT-THE-FLAP

England's Glory.

c. 1820? Original painted and cut out decoration of oak leaves and acorns mounted on paper lace cut panel, 112 x 85 mm. Each leaf conceals the name of English military heroes of the day: Admiral Lord Nelson, Admiral Lord Howe, Earl St Vincent, Sir Ralph Abercrombie and Lord Hood. The hinge covering Nelson is weak.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 40062

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

TRANSFORMATION/LIFT THE FLAP

Flower Seller at the Front Door.

c. 1820. Hand made and watercolour of a flower seller behind the front door of a town house. Image size 130 x 85 mm.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 43365

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

GEOGRAPHICAL GAME

[Rules] The Tar of All Weathers> or, the British Colonies. A Geographical Game.

E. & M.A. Ogilvy, [1857] 8vo. pp. 16. Original printed wrappers, stitched as issued and a little split along the spine. The rules only for this Victorian board game. "The inventor of the Tar of all Weathers, having had some experience in constructing Educational Games, has endeavoured to make an exciting amusement, without burthening the youthful mind with dry detail. In many Games of similar nature, it is to be feared that the players have considered them rather a toil than a pleasure."

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 43394

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

GAME

Schimmel, or the Bell and Hammer.

c. 1860. 5 hand coloured lithographic card, each 55 x 90 mm. together with a turned wooden dice cup containing 8 crude wooden dice [probably not original], with a collection of card and painted bone counters, with printed sheet of the rules, torn in half.: all contained in the original 2 compartment wooden box with colour lithographed label. A very popular game of which there were countless variations during its most popular period between 1850 and 1880. All that was really necessary to play were the five cards, as the counters and dice could be supplied from any source. In this example it would seem that an actual hammer [probably wooden] was used to represent the office of cashier, but it is not present here.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 43408

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

MATRIMONIAL MAPS

Manuscript Map of Courtship [with] Map of Matrimony by F.N.

Manuscript, Feb. 16, 1841. A pair of manuscript maps, pen and ink and watercolour, each 150 x 110 mm. to the outer border line. The first printed matrimonial map was in 1772 and like its successors followed the same general premise of the rise and fall, the ups and downs of matrimony> courtship maps are less common. Unusually, these manuscript examples have dates and initials> more often they were anonymous affairs for insertion into family or personal albums during the 19th Century. The matrimony map has a typical array of features: From the north western point - Valley of Love, Land of Happiness and Delight, Region of Harmony through the Shores of Ecstasy and Honeymoon Point, then via Mountains of Misery inhabited by children and clowns, Isles of Jealousy, Reproach Peninsular, Disappointment Bay, Cape of Farewell, Straits of Censure, Gulf of Separation and [the land of] Revenge, Hatred, Malice and all Uncharitableness. The artist has really gone to town on the courtship map with Land of Promise, Isles of Jealousy, Quicksands of Censure, Point Proposal, Province of Jewellers and Milliners, Mountains of Delay inhabited by lawyers, United States of Agitation, Lake of Presents, Gulf of Matrimony, leading to Henpeck Bay, Contradiction Bay, Port Hymen and Petticoat Government.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 43378

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

BOYS OWN PAPER

Some Social Transformations [a transformation "heads, bodies, legs" game]

Boys Own Paper, c. 1880. Single sheet coloured, 530 x 302 mm. Folded twice with old tape repair to the verso of one fold. Issued as a supplement to the Boys Own Paper, very few would have survived as the game was meant to be played by mounting on card and cutting each character into three "Shuffle and serve out to the company, when each should play a piece in turn. Thus, if A plays "legs," B must add a body and C a head. He who gets the Donkey's head pays the usual penalty of a forfeit. The combinations will be found to amuse young and old."

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 40047

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

TRANSFORMATION PRINT

Prince Alberts's Stock> or The Royal Fashion for 1843, which is to continue for the succeeding ten years.

William Spooner, 1843. Hand coloured lithographic transformation, 275 x 185 mm. imprint trimmed from bottom edge. Flaps a little worn. A play on the words: Prince Albert's stock or neck-tie, opens with three flaps to display his 'stock', his three children to that date> Victoria, Edward and the recently born Alice.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 43367

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

S. and J. FULLER publisher

The History of Little Fanny, Exemplified in a Series of Figures.

S. and J. Fuller, 1810. Fourth Edition. 12mo. Booklet 15pp with original yellow silk tie through the spine, in original printed slip case for the third edition, with 6 aquatint printed figures [of 7], interchangeable head [plus one facsimile head], no hats. Slip case split along the bottom.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 40086

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

S. and J. FULLER publisher

The History of Little Fanny, Exemplified in a Series of Figures.

S. and J. Fuller, 1811. 7th Edition. 12mo. Booklet 15pp with original black and grey cloth tie through the spine, with all 7 aquatint printed figures, interchangeable head, no hats. No slip case, covers a little worn.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 40087

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

TRANSFORMATION

Christmas Card.

c. 1880. Transformation Christmas card, 75 x 115 mm. Defective, the grip on the end of the right hand pull is missing and one of the internal elements is unstuck but appears complete otherwise.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 43382

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games

RAHAEL TUCK

Punch and Judy Panorama.

Printed in Germany for Raphael Tuck, c. 1880. 6 panel folded and die-cut panorama printed on card in colour, 117 x 450 at full extension. Some minor repairs to the rear with no loss of card or image.

Michael S. Kemp - BooksellerProfessional seller

Book number: 39920

Catalogue: Games

Keywords: Games