Pigs in the Clover: A Teasing Tantalizing Puzzle 4322 [VINTAGE 1930]

Good condition color illustrated upper box. Includes three of the original silver metal marble like balls; one of the metal balls is missing. The green maze that is built into the lower box cover is in fine condition. Early vintage 20th century (1910 - 1930s) puzzle game. [Conservatively listed as 1930 in the "Year" section since the box does not contain a date]. Edgewear at the lower left side of the box and a 1 inch box corner separation at the upper right edge (see photographs). The lower part of the box has a 1 inch box corner separation at two edges. "A puzzle to test your skill and patience. Put the four steel balls in any one of the fourt circular compartments in the outer edge of the board. The object is, by careful manipulation of the box, to roll the balls out of this section and around through the various grooves so that they will pass through the opening in each section until the four balls are resting in the center compartment. When you have mastered this puzzle to your satisfaction try this one: Place the four steel balls in the first, or outer groove, and then by manipulation of the box try to roll one ball into each of the four circular compartments at the corners of the box. This one will require more patience than skill." - From the inner part of the upper box cover. "In early 1889 Crandall invented a new game that swept the country simply called "Pigs in Clover". This was among the first or at least the most popular ball-in-a-maze puzzle in America. The "pigs" were marbles and the solver was required to manipulate them in such a manner as to locate each within a set of concentric circles on the puzzle. As the Waverly Free Press reported, "The toy works are turning out eight thousand of 'Pigs in Clover' a day, and are twenty days behind with their orders". It was reported a philanthropist in Kingston ordered enough puzzles for every inmate in the Ulster county jail and the almshouses of the city and county.The popularity of this invention, like many of Crandall's toys, reached beyond the American borders. An article in the Chatham (NY) Republican stated "The English are squealing because our American 'Pigs in Clover' have been introduced at the Court of St. James. They are declaring them not puzzles at all, only Yankee bu[n]kum. American author, Mark Twain mentions the game in his book, The American Claimant. The Game and Politicians- The game was a source of political fodder and amusement. The March 13, 1889 issue of the New York Tribune reported Senator William M. Evarts purchased one from a street fakir in order to get rid of him. He took the puzzle home and worked it for hours. The following morning he brought it with him into senate chambers where Senator George Graham Vest stopped by Evarts' desk, borrowed the puzzle and took it to a cloak room. Soon thereafter, he was joined by Senators James L. Pugh, James B. Eustis, Edward C. Walthall and John E. Kenna. A page was sent out to buy five of the puzzles and upon his return, the group engaged in a "pig driving contest". About 30 minutes later, Senator Vest announced his accomplishment of driving the last pig in the pen. A few days later a political cartoon in the March 17, 1889 issue of the New York World lampooned President Benjamin Harrison's advisors and cabinet members showing the group sitting around playing the game. The caption read "Will Mr. Harrison be able to get all these hungry pigs in the official pen?" - from Wikipedia dot com.…