This is an Antique Victorian German Child's Wooden Block Set in the Original Box with the Illustrated Paper Label.

At the time of the original listing, we are in the process of listing a large number of antique and vintage items purchased in England.  These items are an eclectic mix including gold and sterling jewelry, and many unique, and in some cases, one of a kind items, in wood, brass, and iron, and other materials as well.

We also have quite a variety of other antique and vintage toys and games from the above trip, some listed, and some yet to be listed, and we also have a lot of such listings in our ebay store including some from prior trips to England.

The set is complete with all 20 blocks in a single layer.  It looks to me like the blocks are probably a close grained hardwood, but I do not know for sure.  Some of the blocks have carved or impress designs in relief, and a couple have painted designs, primarily the large block at the bottom center with colored floral / vine designs.  Perhaps the best feature of the set is the beautifully illustrated paper label.  The illustration is a bit fanciful in that the building construction on the label is taller than the boy and girl in the illustration.  The label has ornate Art Nouveau style designs around the edges, suggesting to me the set is likely circa 1890s consistent with the Art Nouveau Period.  Unlike many of these sets where the paper labels have suffered significant damage of the decades, this one is in excellent condition with just a couple of very tiny scrapes / scratches.

The box measures about 10" x 6 1/2" x 1 1/2".  The box is constructed with finger joints.  The wood appears to me to be pine or similar. The bottom of the box appears to be made from two separate panels.  There is a small carved well at the front center of the lid, to facilitate opening the box with an index finger.

This great old set would be a wonderful addition to any collection of antique building blocks or Victorian toys!


Condition

Blocks

The blocks are overall in good condition with some scuffing, overall wear, and paint wear that you would expect to see on a set that was well loved and played with over a long period.

Original Box

The original box is in fairly good condition but it does have some issues to be noted:

• The paper label has three very minor, quite small scrapes:  two to the right of the boy's head, and one to the right of the top of the tower.  These can be seen as small white spots on the photo of the lid.  There is some slight 'bubbling" of the label, and artifact of the way the label was originally glued into place.
• The grooved channel on which the lid slides is broken off and missing on the left side.  At some time in the past, an former owner repaired it with two small strips of wood with varying thickness, fastened with small brads, forming a channel that matches the profile of the cut channel on the other side.
• there is overall color variation and darkening of the patina of the wood.

The set is offered as found / as seen / as described.