This remarkable 19th Century set of puzzles appears to be very similar, if not identical, to the puzzles which were described by Stewart Culin and exhibited at The Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

Culin's puzzles were displayed in Case I of the Section of Ancient Religions, Games and Folk-lore. Sadly, we have been unable to locate the Columbian puzzles.

It is possible that the printing or duplicating process limited the edition to 300 copies.

The instructions are not always easy to follow.
An Example:-

"Two lots of tape red and green entangled.

To seperate them. Draw from the ?centre of contact the red and green separate pass the two edges through the loop as that the twist may be taken out of the threads draw the two ends(?cords ?wads) of the same colour seperately.

To close again Place in the left hand one between the thumb and first finger and the other between the first and second fingers Weave them together over the first finger beginning with the thread near the thumb Then draw these from the centre and turn the top edge through the loop which will give them a twist then draw the ends and bring the twist in the centre."

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