[1332]from "LP"--12 September 2004:
I am looking for information re: American Publishing Corp. puzzles manufactured in the early 1970s. They were a series of puzzles featuring athletes (e.g. Dick Butkus, Joe Namath, Johnny Bench, Ernie Banks, Rod Gilbert, Bobby Orr, etc.). I would like to know how many puzzles were produced in the series, the athletes featured and if and where they are available.
"LP"
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from Jim McW--14 September 2004:
All we know is posted in no. 393, Page 28.
Of course, these are long out of print, and would be available, if at all, only on the secondary market, as prized collectibles.
Can anyone provide more information?
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from RB Puzzles--15 September 2004:
These puzzles were apparently produced either in a couple different series, or one long series that stretched over a couple years. I really don't know how many different ones were made at that time, but they appear to stretch over the 4 main sports of baseball, football, basketball and hockey. Along with the players that are named in the request, I have seen listed, in sports memorabilia catalogs - Roman Gabriel, Jim Plunkett, Wilt Chamberlain, Lew Alcindor/Chamberlain and Pete Maravich.
The reason I stated that I believe them to be from more than 1 year (1971) is because I have one of Dale Tallon (hockey) that is dated 1972 and the box is printed in slightly different lettering. It has the number 1742 printed on it. The only other one I have is Joe Namath, and is numbered 1475. I'm sure there are more than what is listed here, as I have also seen Pete Rose in this same series. It sure would be great to start a list of the known puzzles in this series.
As far as buying them, good luck. The ones I have found I acquired at a local swap meet. Other than that, internet auctions are about the best place to find them. But be forewarned, these are pretty popular with sports memorabilia collectors and prices could get out of hand.
Here are the puzzles I have:
"Joe Namath", AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO.TM, circa early 1970's.
"Dale Tallon", AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO.TM, circa early 1970's.
RB Puzzles
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from Jim McW--15 September 2004:
We have posted the pictures from this answer and the one for no. 393 on this page, along with the beginnings of a list of the puzzles in each of these series.
We request that anyone who has or remembers a title from either series, please WRITE US.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from "LP"--12 October 2004:
Jim -

I am having pretty good success locating this series on internet auction sites. To-date, I have found:

1970:

Bobby Orr (NHL - Boston Bruins)

1971:

Ernie Banks (MLB - Chicago Cubs)
Gary Unger - (NHL - St. Louis Blues)
Rod Gilbert (NHL - New York Rangers)
Phil Esposito (NHL - Boston Bruins)
Derek Sanderson - (NHL - Boston Bruins)
John McKenzie (NHL - Boston Bruins)
Bobby Hull (NHL - Chicago Blackhawks)
Yvan Cournoyer (NHL - Montreal Canadiens)
Orland Kurtenbach (NHL - Vancouver Canucks)
Boston vs. Philadelphia (NHL)
Toronto vs. Minnesota (NHL)
New York vs. Chicago (NHL)
Dick Butkus - (NFL - Chicago Bears)
Joe Namath - (NFL - New York Jets)
Jim Plunkett - (NFL - New England Patriots)

1972:

Pete Rose (MLB - Cincinnati Reds)

I will continue to keep you posted.

"LP"
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from "JJ"--1 January 2005:

Here you go, done with the 4 digit number on the box or can:

The following are the 500-piece boxes:

1470 B. ORR (WHITE JERSEY)     HOCKEY
1470A B. ORR (BLACK JERSEY)     HOCKEY
1471 D. SANDERSON              HOCKEY
1472 B. HULL (WHITE JERSEY)     HOCKEY
1473 P. ESPOSITO (BLACK JERSEY)     HOCKEY
[McW Note:    According to "GT", there is a 1473 White Jersey P. ESPOSITO and a 1473A Black Jersey P. ESPOSITO]
1474 J. McKENZIE              HOCKEY
1475 J. NAMATH              FOOTBALL
1476 R. GABRIEL              FOOTBALL
1477 D. BUTKUS              FOOTBALL
1478 G. UNGER              HOCKEY
1479 T. ESPOSITO              HOCKEY
1480 K. HODGE              HOCKEY
1481 ALCINDOR / REED     BASKETBALL
1482 FRAZIER / MARAVICH     BASKETBALL
1483 FRAZIER / WEST     BASKETBALL
1484 W. FRAZIER     BASKETBALL
1485 W. CHAMBERLAIN     BASKETBALL
1486
1487 J. HAVLICEK     BASKETBALL
1488
1489
1490
1491 R. GILBERT              HOCKEY
1492 B. HULL (RED JERSEY)     HOCKEY
1492 D. JONES              FOOTBALL
(The 1972 catalogue lists # 1492 as Deacon Jones; I own Bobby Hull (red jersey), and 1492 is on the side of the box.)
1493 B. PARK              HOCKEY
1494 JABBAR / CHAMBERLAIN     BASKETBALL

1700
1701 J. PLUNKETT           FOOTBALL
1702 E. BANKS           BASEBALL
1703
1704
1705
1706
1707
1708
1709
1710
1711 BOSTON vs PHILADELPHIA     HOCKEY
1712 CHICAGO vs MONTREAL     HOCKEY
1713 PHILADELPHIA vs ST. LOUIS     HOCKEY
1714 PITTSBURGH vs NEW YORK     HOCKEY
1715 CHICAGO vs NEW YORK     HOCKEY
1716 TORONTO vs MINNESOTA     HOCKEY
1717
1718
1719
1720
1721 L. NANNE        HOCKEY
1722 P. ROSE        BASEBALL
1723 J. BENCH        BASEBALL
1724
1725
1726 W. MAYS        BASEBALL
1727 T. SEAVER        BASEBALL
1728 C. YASTRZEMSKI        BASEBALL
1729
1730
1731 S. JURGENSON        FOOTBALL
1732 R. STAUBACH        FOOTBALL
1733 L. DAWSON        FOOTBALL
1734 G. LANDRY        FOOTBALL
1735 D. LAMONICA        FOOTBALL
1736 T. BRADSHAW        FOOTBALL
1737 J. UNITAS        FOOTBALL
1738
1739
1740
1741 F. MAHOVLICH        HOCKEY
1742 D. TALLON        HOCKEY
1743 Y. COURNOYER        HOCKEY
1744 O. KURTENBACH        HOCKEY
1745

1753 B. BAKER ( race car driver, made in 1973. Have also seen a "Richard Petty", was unable to get the number)

The following are the 300-piece "CANS"

1800
1801 B. ORR (BLACK JERSEY)     HOCKEY
1802 P. ESPOSITO (BLACK JERSEY)     HOCKEY
1803 JIM PLUNKETT     FOOTBALL [thanks to "GT"]
1804 D. BUTKUS        FOOTBALL
1805 ROMAN GABRIEL, 1972 [thanks to "PTH"]
1806
1807 G. UNGER        HOCKEY
1808 R. GILBERT        HOCKEY
1809 T. ESPOSITO        HOCKEY
1810 CHICAGO vs NEW YORK     HOCKEY
1811
1812 T. BRADSHAW        FOOTBALL
1813 BOSTON vs PHILADELPHIA     HOCKEY
1814 CHICAGO vs MONTREAL     HOCKEY
1815 PITTSBURGH vs NEW YORK     HOCKEY
1831 STEELERS vs COWBOYS     FOOTBALL [thanks to "GT"]

The following "cans" don't have the 4-digit number on them.:

NO # P. ESPOSITO (WHITE JERSEY)
NO # K. HODGE
NO # C. YASTRZEMSKI
NO # P. ROSE
NO # J. HAVLICEK [thanks to "GT"]
NO # R. STAUBACH [thanks to "GT"]
NO # TORONTO vs MINNESOTA
NO # JOHNNY BENCH, 1974 [thanks to "PTH"]

The following are puzzles I know exist:

BOBBY ORR (LIFE-SIZE) ( BOX )
BOBBY ORR (WHITE JERSEY) ( CAN )
BOBBY HULL ( CAN )
P. ESPOSITO (WHITE JERSEY) ( BOX )

This list has been compiled over the last 5 years from the internet and a copy of the 1972 "AMERICAN PUBLISHING CORP." catalogue.

There are also "pin-backs" that match the "cans", as well as un-cut puzzles sold as posters.

"JJ"
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from Jim McW--2 January 2005:
Thanks for sending in the additional information. Anyone who can provide some of the missing numbers (if any) or any other information, please write to us.
Can anyone provide more information?
Thanks,
Jim McW
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Respond (note this inquiry number) at puzzlehistory.com's Contact page.