Tea paper, wrapping paper

Wood-engraved paper sheet, possibly used for packaging small quantities of loose tea purchased from J. Roberts and Co. located at 31 the Barbican. The sheet includes the name and address of the tea merchant and circular shaped engraving depicting four hunters, guns in hand looking up expectantly at a tree. The engraving captioned 'The Short Sighted Sportsmen - the Goose puzzle' and including a verse, was one of a series of similar engravings that, when cut out and pasted together formed a puzzle. Customers purchasing tea from the merchant could, therefore, collect the whole series over a period of time. As well as publicising the business marketing incentives such as the incorporation of puzzles and games in packaging were employed to promote sales and encourage customer loyalty. Other puzzles produced by J Roberts were Shakespeare's Seven Ages of Man puzzle and King Canute puzzle.