The Great $1,000 Puzzle. Hard to Do But possible

Los Angeles, CA / Independence, Iowa: Unique Novelty Co., Mfrs. and Jobbers, 1910. Softcover. First edition presumed, n. d. (ca 1910); 10 wooden blocks with carvings of a car, a bridge, etc. (one piece replaced, else original), squares and rectangles, approx. 1 1/2 x 3/4; dark red box with a green, engraved label pasted-on, 4 x 3; instructions to top half verso; box with a few chips and rubbed spots to edges; two of the corners with short splits; very good- condition.A mystery game, most probably created shortly after the Panic of 1907, it proclaims: "Getting the first $1,000 in the bank is a problem. It seems a long rough road, with mountains ahead and many amusements and other temptations. Yet it is possible." The bottom half of the box has a diagram drawn, with shapes matching those of the wooden blocks. After removing the block marked "Remove this Bridge," the rest of the blocks are to be slid around, without being lifted, until the "First $1,000" block could land on the diagram square marked "Bank." It requires 55 moves.