We've been evolving the technique as we went along, approaching the jigsaw puzzle in the following order:
- the puzzle edges
- the equator and world edges
- the poles and the tropic
- at this point, we've split apart. Mateja started working on the pictures around the world, I started working on the map.
- we almost managed to put all the pieces out of the box. About one room of space.
- I worked on the world from the inside out (since meridians and parallels are the most vertical and horizontal in the center)
- Mateja worked on the pictures surrounding the world one by one, since each had specific colors
- we've been adding significant elements as we went along (coastlines, signs, faces, etc.)
- we used regular A4 sheets of paper for categorization and transporting
- the sea came last since the pieces were very similar to each other. But It became easier with every step, since there were fewer left.
Here are a few pictures representing our assembly of Nova totius Terrarum Orbis geographica ac hydrographica tabula. It was fun, so if you're searching for a new hobby for the next few months, jigsaw puzzles could be something worth looking at. We will probably do another one one day, when we find a big one we like.
Opening the box and noticing there are too many pieces to fit in the room
Assembling the edges
Working on the equator and the edges of the world
Connecting the equator and the edges of the world to puzzle edges
Doing the poles and the tropic
Assembling the outer pictures and the world from the inside out
The bottom pictures are done, the world is coming together
The jigsaw puzzle is almost complete, all that's missing is the sea
The final masterpiece
Bonus: finding a piece with your name on it