1900 Exposition Universelle "La Cigale et la Fourmi." Six 6½" x 4½" cards printed by Imp. E Dufrénoy of Paris. Each scene signed by P. Kauffmann. 80 Francs each from Annick Tilly at the Clignancourt flea market, August, '99. Extra copy of card 6 for €5 from St. Ouen, August, '13. Extras of the last four cards for $50 from Bertrand Cocq, Calonne Ricouart, France, Sept., '18.
The back of each card shows a design of the actual department store buildings under the name "Maison Aristide Boucicaut" and invites guests at the Exposition Universelle 1900 to shop at this store. Each card promises "Interpretes dans toutes les langues" and proudly claims "Hors concours - membre du jury"! The colors are a bit faint, but this is a classy set.
1950? La Cigale et la Fourmi. 42 cubes en bois. Jeujura. €25 from loupnoir69 through Ebay, Sept., '21.
Here is a large puzzle -- the largest in our collection -- in a box about 12" x 10½". Seven blocks across and six high. Each of the six scenes is a different La Fontaine fable, appropriate labeled. The other five pictures survive! It is not easy to guess when this puzzle was made. Jeujura has apparently been around for a long time! GA; TH; MM; OF; FC; and "The Heron."
