Gebr. Koster - Toy Paleizen der Jeugd - U.K.

Rare Dutch paper construction boxes from 1913 of “Palaces of Youth,” designed by Daan Hoeksema (1879–1935) and issued by Gebroeders Koster in Amsterdam.

Palaces of Youth is an early Dutch paper construction game in which children could assemble various buildings and other structures from colored construction cartons. The still-present original prospectus lists a size of 44 × 33 cm per construction carton.

The offered lot consists of a collection of original construction cartons and accompanying sample, cover, advertising, and instruction sheets.

Present are, among others, several large colored construction cartons from the series, including plates B, C and F, various original sample sheets, and a portion of carton A. The sample sheets depict, among other things, a main station, fort, church with parsonage, bridge with tollhouse, station, Old Dutch façade, warehouses and other structures.

Also present is the large original cover/sample plate “Palaces of Youth – Main Station – From 2 Folders – Construction by Daan Hoeksema,” as well as the original prospectus from Gebr. Koster. It states, among other things, that one folder originally contained six construction cartons and six sample sheets and at the time cost 90 cents per folder.

Condition: this is emphatically not a complete set. Carton A is partially cut out and only partly present. The other present construction cartons and sample plates show age- and use-related wear to varying degrees. The large cover plate has clear damage, tears, and losses along the edges. Some other sheets likewise have small edge damage, creases, or signs of age. The colors of the construction and sample plates, however, remain strikingly vivid.

Also present is an original advertising/prospectus sheet for “Bont en Blauw – Prenten for the Youth by Daan Hoeksema.” This is supplied as accompanying publisher’s material but is not considered part of the original content of Palaces of Youth.

Daan Hoeksema was a Dutch illustrator who designed many children’s prints, cut-out, and construction materials. Palaces of Youth is among his early works for Gebroeders Koster.

This edition is rare. In an assessment by a specialized Dutch auction house that regularly handles material by Daan Hoeksema, it was noted that Hoeksema’s work is encountered frequently, but this edition is rarely seen. Because of its incomplete and damaged condition and the limited collector’s market, it was not included in their catalog of auctions.

Dimensions of the large construction cartons: approximately 44 × 33 cm.

The photographs are part of the condition description and show the full offered collection. The lot will be carefully and reinforcedly packed for shipment.