Early risers (Jigsaw puzzle)

John Spilsbury is generally considered the inventor of the dissected puzzle, the precursor of the modern jigsaw puzzle. In about 1762 he issued the first dissected puzzle. Spilsbury was a map engraver and was inspired by the publication of A journey through Europe, or the play of geography issued by Carrington Bowles in 1759, which was a race game played on a map of Europe.

Spilsbury considered what he might do with the maps he engraved, and pasting a map of England to a thin board of mahogany, he cut it out around the borders of the counties, and boxed it, for children to reassemble. Geography taught through the medium of play had arrived, and Spilsbury's idea proved popular.

It would be some 20 years before other subjects were used, but by late in the 18^th century printsellers began to use popular prints to make dissected puzzles from, proving that the puzzles could be used just for fun, as well as learning. The dissected puzzle became firmly entrenched as both an object of play and education. Later the development of the jigsaw in the 1870s would enable finer cuts, and interlocking pieces that would make the use of the puzzles even easier.

Early risers is a magnificent dissected puzzle which combines both elements of learning with fun: birds from many lands are beautifully illustrated, including an emu and a lyrebird from Australia. The puzzle has been identified as being the work of JR and JW Barfoot, who never signed their work, but badged it instead, with the motif of a pink rose or a spray of the flowers. The Barfoots produced many puzzles and games including A New Game of the Gold Fields of Australia.

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