This an early and less common McLoughlin wooden jigsaw puzzle. The recto contains a printed color map of the United States showing both Indian Territory and a large Dakota Territory, while the verso contains a double-hemisphere world map in black & white. The box cover illustration features a female representation of America teaching geography to a young Indian maiden. This appears to be the premium box, as it is constructed of wood with paper labels. McLoughlin Bros., Inc. was a New York publishing firm that pioneered the systematic use of color printing technologies in children's books, particularly between 1858 - 1920. The firm's publications served to popularize illustrators including Thomas Nast, William Momberger, Justin H. Howard, Palmer Cox, and Ida Waugh. By 1886, the firm published a wide range of items including scrapbooks, large folio picture books, linen books, puzzles, games and paper dolls. A nice complete puzzle in its original wooden box.

References: Williams [The Jigsaw Puzzle] pp. 26-27.

Condition: B

The puzzle pieces are very good with some minor soiling and foxing. The top right corner piece is a bit warped and slightly protruded upwards at one end. Accompanying guide map is heavily worn and nearly split down the middle with numerous old repairs on verso. Box is intact with old repairs to a tear on the box top and numerous reinforcement along the box bottom.