Handwritten 19th century book of riddles, trifles, conundrums, and puzzles
Liverpool: E. & I. Gregson, [ca. 1815].
A unique anonymous collection of 69 handwritten puzzles, conundrums, and riddles, some in verse, filling approximately 30 pages of a blank notebook from the early part of the 19th century. The first conundrum references cookbook author Elizabeth Raffald and begins: "Tell me my savory Mrs. Raffald / What completes your choicest dish, / Oft pendant from a kitchen scaffold / 'Tis neither flesh, nor fowl, nor fish..." No answers are provided to the reader, offering an opportunity for intrepid puzzle-solvers to use their wits. Bound in quarter dark green leather and green boards stamped in gilt, all edges gilt. Housed in green leather slipcase ruled in gilt. Very Good, front free endpaper removed. After the 69 riddles, the following 50 or so pages are mostly blank with "Printed on vellum" written in pencil above a circle and rectangle illustration on one page; a rectangular notch is cut out of another. Another page notes in pencil, "Silver pencil finished in Blue black. I am sorry the other trifles in silver pencil are not at present to be found. If this book afford any amusement, I may keep it-- E.B." An unusual handwritten manuscript of brain-teasers from the early part of the 19th century, when entertainment was often quite challenging compared to today.
Price: $850