German 1870s "Parquetspiel" Double Layer Parquetry Blocks in Original Box a b c inky glazing

inky glazing

A bit like tinker toys

and there is an iron hook near the front

but I think they were stored in a basement for some time where there was some moisture as there is a little mildew here and there showing against the black paper inside the slides

German 1870s "Parquetspiel" Double Layer Parquetry Blocks in Original Box a b c inky glazingThis I believe is one of, if not the earliest, German parquetry puzzles produced, 1872 or so based on one other set I've found sold at auction that was dated by hand on the underside of the box. I had one other set very similar to this one in the shop several months ago, which I knew to be quite rare, so have been keeping a close eye out for others and then along came this one, with this terrific purple stain on half of the blocks that makes it feel