Towards the end of the 19th century, puzzle boxes became a popular souvenir in a number of tourist destinations around the world. Local woodworkers typically produced the same trick box, without change, for generations.
At two locations, though, in an unusual outburst of creativity, a wide range of puzzle boxes emerged. In the Hakone region, Japan, the tradition continues still, to the worldwide acclaim. The output from the other one, based around Lake Brienz in Switzerland, had a different fate. It virtually disappeared after the 1st World War. By the 21st Century, only a few puzzle box enthusiasts new about ‘Edelweiss boxes’ from a hundred years ago. This book is the first record of the amazing variety of boxes with secret openings that were created there and of their locking mechanisms.
We expect to have the book in stock by the beginning of October 2024. Grand Illusions will be the only stockist for this book.
