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c.1946 Gilbert, 6 Dexterity Problem Puzzles in Original Box

I've seen Gilbert's classic dexterity puzzles sold separately, but was never aware that they also were available as a boxed set. This auction includes six Gilbert dexterity, or Problem, Puzzles in their original box. Each one is complete and in beautiful working condition.

Each puzzle measures 4Â¼" x 3Â¼" x 1". The walls are made from thick cardboard with lavender colored exterior. The puzzles themselves are printed black and orange cardboard. The viewing window is glass, not plastic. The illustrations and subject material are fantastic. The interior puzzle pieces are metal. Three have the metal pieces enclosed within a clear gelatin capsule. This gives is an uneven and random motion. Here's what's included.

Radio Tube Trick - get four "tubes" into sockets with black base downwards. Shows a portable radio with exposed tubes.
Lucky Horseshoe - get the six nails in the horseshoe. Embossed, partially raised cardboard horseshoe with metal ball bearings.
Ring A Tail - get the 5 rings on the cats tail, pretty much self explanatory with a great image of hackled black cat.
Topsy Turvy Rivets - stand all 5 rivets on their heads. Contains actual metal rivet heads with diagrams for flipping them over.
Hungry Pup - get the 2 bones on the platter. This one is awesome. Check out the illustration of the slavering pooch holding a metal frying pan. It's fantastic!
Atomic Bomb - probably the most famous of the bunch the illustration shows a sky view of an atomic bomb dropping on Japan. The object is to get the metal bomb in the hole for Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Tokyo is also indicated, but not as a target.

The box was illustrated with a perspective image of the Topsy Turvy Rivets game with an arrow indicating "chock full of fun" and "fun for everyone". The toy name is boldly spelled out across the top half of the cover along with the A.C. Gilbert name. It still has its original $1.99 price sticker on it, which was also written in grease pencil.

Size: Box 10Â½" x 9" x 1Â½".

Sold: Dec. 2008

Price Sold: $ 155

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