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Building the Ship

Publisher Philip, Son & Nephew

Datec 1880

Object number00031664

NameGuide

MediumLithograph paper

DimensionsOverall: 365 x 500 mm, 0.05 kg

ClassificationsToys, games and souvenirs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis colourful illustration is a guide for the children's jigsaw puzzle Building the Ship. It shows the construction of a ship in nine sections, including the ship's initial design, laying out of the plans, building the hull in a covered dry dock, raising the masts, sail making, forging the anchors, launching the ship, loading cargo at the docks and the ship under full sail. This pictorial guide accompanies the complete 47-piece puzzle and a 24-page guide booklet 'The Building of the Ship'.HistoryJigsaw puzzles were first offered in Europe in the mid-18th century in the form of dissected maps as a new tool for teaching children geography. Educational purposes continued to drive puzzle design and by the early 19th century, biblical, moral, historical and technological subjects were commonly presented in jigsaw puzzle form. Early puzzles were very expensive, hand crafted luxuries, often costing more than the average labourer's weekly wage. But as mass production techniques became common, puzzles became more affordable. This puzzle would have originally sold for around 5 shillings. This puzzle was originally published by John Betts, and formed part of the company’s extensive range of educational puzzles and maps. When Betts went out of business in 1875 his goodwill was taken over by Philip, Son & Nephew who continued to sell their stock under Betts's name.SignificanceThis guide makes up a rare complete children's puzzle set from the late 19th century. Although the British shipbuilding industry was the largest in the world in the 19th century, jigsaw puzzles relating to their design and construction are unusual. Complete children's jigsaw puzzles from the 19th century are now very scarce, as they are almost always lost with use.