Title: Designs of Ivory Chinese Puzzle
Publisher: De La Rue and Co.
Publication Date: 1860
Binding: Soft cover
Book Condition: Very Good
Signed: Inscribed by Illustrator
188 pages with 84 hand-drawn "Tangram" type puzzle arrangements-one to each leaf, 18 in black india ink and the rest in pencil. The first page states in a neat contemporary ink hand that these are "Designs of Ivory Chinese Puzzle- copied in brass by Charles D. Burnett & kept in the box in the drawing room on the mantelpiece". All edges gilt. Decorative, gilt, floral endpapers. The paper is all watermarked "De La Rue & Co. Superfine" that was manufactured c. 1860. 12 x 17.5 cm. Original limp crimson morocco. Spine with six horizontal gilt rules and covers with single gilt fillet borders (very slightly rubbed). All but the last seven leaves have been filled up with Tangram drawings, probably based on carved 19th Century Chinese ivory little puzzle pieces from a puzzle box. Provenance: Charles Douglas Burnett (1826-95)who had seven children with Helena. The Rugby School Register Entrances in September, 1878 confirms "Burnett Douglas, son of Charles D. Burnett, Esq. Henley-park, Guildford, aged 14, June 27 Arnold [House]". When Tangram, the Chinese puzzle eventually reached England in the early nineteenth century, it became very fashionable and remained so until the First World War (which saw a great resurgence of interest in tangrams, on the homefront and trenches of both sides). In the UK, Tangram was first made popular through the book "THE FASHIONABLE CHINESE PUZZLE", edited by Wallis (first edition 1817), describing Tangram as Napoleon "Bonaparte's favourite amusement at St Helena". Seller Inventory # 5094