Another geographical patience game by the German manufacturer Otto Maier from Ravensburg is this mosaic puzzle. Published in 1899 (and later), I own three varieties of this game as well. Also, the content is different to each of them, e.g. instead of a German map they added a map of the Switzerland or of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The cut is different, too. The maps with the triangular pieces have different orientations.

The Geographical Patience Game by the German manufacturer Otto Maier from Ravensburg was the first puzzle in the history of the Ravensburger Puzzle Company. Publishing in 1891, you can find this first puzzle game in different varieties. In my collection I have three of them with different boxes, sizes and maps. And not ONE set is complete... but I'm really happy that I have these varities of the oldest puzzle of Ravensburer history!

Thank you for visiting my website and welcome to Part 2 of my BCD column "Mapping the World with Maria". The FAR-FAR-AWAY One Text will follow after publication in BCD Jigsaw Magazine Autumn 2023. Not jet a member of the BCD Jigsaw Club? Then join here!

You can find lots of old geographical block puzzles in France but to get one from other countries is more than difficult - especially from Spain. So, like every time I have the chance to buy rare items I'm so happy about this small treasure. Unfortunately, there is no hint about its manufacturer or the map maker. It has 12 cubes made from cardboard (NOT wood!!!) and was made in the late 19th / early 20th century. In total, it shows six maps (the World, America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Spain with Portugal. Go to item.

A small but historical doublesided jigsaw from the American WILDER company. No. 111. Made from thick plywood. 35 pieces only, but with a great image of the 'RMS Bengaria', a former German ship.

Some years ago I could buy some great wooden map puzzles, 14 in total made by Guillaume Issleib and published by Issleib & Rietzschel, Gera (Germany). The original maps were used for a Popular Atlas in France: "Petit atlas populaire sur toutes les parties de la terre à l'usage des écoles et des familles dressé et puplié. Complet en 14 cartes typographiques coloriées." from 1873.

This is an item I had on my wish list long time ago - since I've discovered Joe's amazing website icollectpuzzles.com. A doublesided jigsaw with 54 7mm-solid-wood-pieces showing the maps of the world an the United States. This teaching puzzle was made by D. & M.C. Wiggins from New Haven, N.Y. which probably was manufactured for the Silent Teacher series. At the upper and lower part of this map you can find the history of the genesis and exploration of the world. Some lower texture was cut for the jigsaw - so I will try to find the original print. Unfortunately there is no box but the jigsaw is in great condition. I guess it's from the 1880s. Go to the item.

This German geographical game (No. 291) from the 1900s is a forerunner of the "Geographical Puzzle Game" (No. 491) - both made by Joseph Scholz. It's called "Around the World" and includes 6 map boards with its continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania). Each map has 8 small cards on which you find questions about geography and politics. The answers were printed at the map boards. Go to the item.

Some new amazing stuff for my collection - bringing two of my passions together: map puzzles and stamps! An antique German cube game titled "Brief-Marken" (Postage Stamps - Timbres Poste) with 70 "cubes" cut into halves (3,7cm). It's from the 1870s because of the map made by Issleib & Rietzschel in the late 1860s-1870s. Unfortunatley there are missing two pieces - but because the models are there I can replace them. I love the extraordinary box with its design and the gorgeous and interesting-looking clasp for opening the box. Go to the item.