[1959]from "LL"-- 5 April 2008:
Hi I purchased a Puzzle - named Peter Rabbit Puzzle Box number 4142 manufactured by Milton Bradley Co Springfield Mass . There are three puzzles in the box with the titles Peter Rabbit's Adventures, Last Instructions and In the Carrot Patch. Puzzles measure 9" x 12 1/2"

I was hoping to find out the aprox date of when they were manufactured. I have searched the web and unfortunatly have not been able to find any reference...

Thanks

"LL", New York
***************
from "LL" -- 11 April 2008:
Hi Thanks so much for your reply!
Here are three pictures of the puzzle , I only included 2 of the puzzles. Any help on dating them would be much appreciated.
Best Regards
"LL"
" Peter Rabbit Puzzle Box ",
" Peter Rabbit Puzzle One ",
" Peter Rabbit Puzzle Two ",
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1960]from "DY"-- 5 April 2008:
I have 3 Vera Jouets puzzles

1) Vera Puzzle Miniature - Picture Le Pas de Duex - 146 Pieces - the puzzle measure 135mm x 100mm all complete - pieces are plastic

2) Royal Vera puzzle 600 pieces - wooden - Have not measured yet - title Son Premier Recital. Tableau Anglais

3) Rex Vera Puzzle - 600 pieces - wooden - Have not measured yet - title Silver Birches at Ashbridge

Can you tell me about what year they were made as I cannot find anything on any other web sites.

Are they collectable?

"DY", Essex, England
***************
from Jim McW-- 9 April 2008:
See no. 1241, Page 79, for more on these "vera" collectible puzzles. We suspect they may draw stronger bidding in France, but the main thing is to find discerning collectors, who are familiar with their quality.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1961]from "MO"-- 7 April 2008:
I recently picked up a puzzle made by NuArt titled "Sailing into the mist". There is no date on the packaging and I am curious. It appears to be very old judging by the quality of the puzzle and the design work on the box. Can you help me date this piece???

"MO", Ohio
***************
from Jim McW -- 9 April 2008:
We believe NU-ART was active during the 1930's. We found one puzzle with the same title.:
" Sailing Into the Mist ", TRIXY [also from the 1930's]

Is this picture similar to yours?
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1962]from "RH"-- 10 April 2008:
Re: Reference on your Wysocki page:

Wysocki Puzzle Farm Friends (4679 - J22) says that it is the same as Farm Folks and Home on the Farm.

It is true that Farm Folks and Home on the Farm are the same. But on further examination you will find that Farm Friends is only similar to the other two referenced puzzles. Farm Friends feature a steam engine instead of a truck. All the buildings are very different and the animals and people are different.

Just thought you would like to know.

Thanks

"RH", North Carolina
***************
from Jim McW -- 28 May 2008:
We have deleted the erroneous comparison on our Wysocki page, by the request of "FS".
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1963]from "LA"-- 10 April 2008:
I was trying to find the history of a puzzle I purchased. It is the one that you have listed under Jiggity Jig Puzzles - Huckleberry Finn.

The one I have is a Big Star Picture Puzzle #1010 - exact same picture.

Do you have any history on the puzzle as I was wondering how old it might be? Would both of these companies print the same picture on their puzzles?

Thank you,

"LA", Illinois
***************
from Jim McW -- 10 April 2008:
Here's a picture of the JIGGETY JIG puzzle:
"Huckleberry Finn", by Eugene Iverd

Yes, different puzzle manufacturers often made puzzles from the same pictures. Especially during the 1930's, when puzzles were extremely popular, color photography was not fully developed yet (no pun intended), and lithographers would sell their properties to as many puzzle and calendar publishers as they could. At least that is our impression.
We believe that JIGGETY JIG was published primarily during the 1930's. Anne Williams describes BIG STAR as having been produced during the early 1930's.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1964]from "C10"-- 10 April 2008:
Re: no. 1089, Page 71
About 12 years ago I bought 4 paper board puzzles packaged in plastic at the Dallas Flea Market for $12.50 each. They have the illustrators name, H Boylston Dummer, printed on them. Each measures 13" wide by 10" high and appear to be from the 40's or 50's as the illustrations are of colorful animals found in childrens books of that period. Am going to have each framed for my grandaughter's room. Would love to know about the artist or any information you could provide....Regards,

"C10", KC, Missouri
***************
from Jim McW -- 12 April 2008:
Here's what we found so far:
H. Boylston Dummer was born in 1878, died in 1945. He worked as a painter and illustrator. He was illustrator for several periodicals and books, the latter including White Sox: The Story of the Reindeer in Alaska, by William T. Lopp, and Adventures of the Animal Town Aviators, from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy.
We have never had any of his work in our own collection, but someone sent in this picture of a 1938 set of MILTON BRADLEY puzzles:
four puzzle set, children's puzzles, by H. Boylston Dummer, 1938.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1965]from "OK"-- 11 April 2008:
I remember puzzles that are scenes of battles during WW2 and some of the pieces were shaped like tanks, ships, planes. bombs, etc. I've mentioned this to some friends asking them if they remember the puzzles and everyone I've talked with have no recollection of that. I know I'm getting old and older everyday but I was wondering if anyone remembers this.

I'm not a collector of puzzles....just memories and I've enjoyed looking at your site.

Thank you!

"OK", USA
***************
from Jim McW -- 12 April 2008:
We found one picture on our site of the kinds of figurals you describe:
"Mountain Retreat", figural pieces ("whimsies")
I know there are others, including some battle-related puzzle subjects with such figural pieces. Look on our Military Themes pages for some possible candidates.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
from Jim McW -- 12 April 2008:
We also found the following:
warplane over a city, title and maker not known
" Superstitious Al-O-Ysius ", J.S. PUBLISHING, 1943.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1966]from "PJ"-- 12 April 2008:
Just wanted to add a bit of info...

I was looking at your HARETT-GILMARTM - Fairy Tale Shaped Jigsaw Puzzles ..and noticed that "Three Little Pigs" is missing a number. I just purchased this puzzle and wanted to add that the puzzle is No. 418.

Thanks so much for this site..I visit frequently and rarely do I NOT find what I am looking to learn! What a treasure it is!

Thanks...

"PJ", Pennsylvania
***************
from Jim McW -- 13 April 2008:
We have added your information to our HARETT-GILMARTM page, and we thank you for the kind words, as well as the help you extend. We owe a great deal to the hundreds or thousands of people who have written in with questions, answers, information, pictures, comments, corrections, and encouragement.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1967]from "GQ"-- 8 April 2008:
I have a Milton Bradley jigsaw puzzle and would like to locate a better picture of the cover. The jigsaw is called Somerset Jigsaw Puzzle - The Leaning Tower (4748). I think it is from around 1957. Could someone help me with this problem.

Regards,

"GQ", Australia
***************
from Jim McW -- 15 April 2008:
MILTON BRADLEY may have published some lines in separate series in other countries, but we are not aware of a 4748 series. We do have one puzzle and a few pictures of the earlier type of SOMERSET puzzles of the 4740 series, from 1957. See our MILTON BRADLEY, page 4 for our new section on MB SOMERSET puzzles. See our SALE page 10 for a little fuller coverage of the one in our own collection.
Does anyone know more about this series?
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1968]from "CS"-- 14 April 2008:
Hello,

My sister and I are searching for a puzzle we enjoyed as children. It was made up of imaginary creatures whose shapes all fit together to form a smallish completed image consisting of a jumble of the creatures interacting with one another. I believe there was a key listing the name of each creature and my sister thinks one of them might have been called "cacophony". We have both tried looking for this puzzle online, but without more detailed information, neither of us can find it.

Thank you so much for your help.,

"CS"
***************
from Jim McW -- 15 April 2008:
You may be referring to the "Cluster" puzzle:
" Cluster puzzle ", CADACO-ELLISTM

For a little more on these (including A.Z. Plerp), see also:
no. 1046, on Q&A Page 68
no. 1811, on Q&A Page 110 .
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
from "CS" -- 16 April 2008:
Thank you! This is exactly what we were looking for. Based on the information you posted, I was able to find a complete set of three vintage cluster puzzles on eBay for a great price. I am very grateful for your help.
Best regards,
"CS"
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1969]from "D16"-- 16 April 2008:
Hello, I recently discovered your website and have enjoyed learning more about the puzzles I have collected over the years. I really like the older puzzles. Last week I found several large 1000 piece puzzles by April House of Lenexa, Kansas dated 1971. Can you tell me anything about this manufacturer? Thank you for any information you may have.

"D16", Florida
***************
from Jim McW -- 20 April 2008:
The only thing we know is that we have seen a few of these and received some comments pertaining to "Flight 747 Cleared for Takeoff", which has been reported as produced by APRIL HOUSE. I am a little surprised at the date you found. We thought they started publishing later.
We agree about older puzzles, although our favorites tend to be from the 1960's or earlier.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
from "D16" -- 21 April 2008:
Jim,
Thank you for your response. I checked again and you were correct, the date was 1973 April House. Nice quality, the pieces were thick and heavy. We have a fairly large collection of Springboks but like you, enjoy the earlier puzzles, especially the wooden ones.

By the way, in reference to a question from JG, New York regarding the Can Can puzzle. [See no. 1956, above] I recently worked that puzzle, sadly it was missing so many pieces and was in poor condition so I did not keep it, but I did take a picture. I don't recall the manufacturer but it was not Springbok, Battle Road, or Eaton. The box was large, bright blue, about 14 inches square and the title was Can Can, about 500 pieces. Hope this might be helpful in their search.
"D16", Florida
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1970]from "LS"-- 17 April 2008:
I am looking for a puzzle by Milton Bradley, done before 1970. It was the Boston Tea Party. I really liked the puzzle and was wondering where I can find It. Can you help me?

"LS", USA
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1971]from "SW"-- 20 April 2008:
I saw a puzzle pasted together and put on a wall in a church. The puzzle had a church with a steeple in the middle of the puzzle, with the doors open. There were multiple scenes from the bible in the picture (about 12 or more) including a dove with an olive branch, the burning bush, Noah and the ark, the Last Supper, Jesus on the cross, etc. The picture was fairly large and quite beautiful. I am interested in finding out how to buy this puzzle. It was put together last year.

"SW", Indianapolis
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1972]from "MH"-- 18 April 2008:
I recently purchased four Madmar Interlox wooden puzzles (1930's). They all are stamped on the box with a print that says GOLD & CO. Lending Library. Three of them have price tags on the back for Gold & Co., Lincoln, Nebr. They range between $3.00 and $1.50. My question deals with the prices. On the labels identifying the puzzles, someone has written in 5c day, min. 25c on the largest one (250 pieces); 4c day, min.20c (200 pieces); and 3c day, 15c min. (150 pieces). Are these real prices for the puzzles when they were originaly sold, and are these real rental fees? Thank you.

"MH", Omaha, Nebraska
***************
from Jim McW -- 20 April 2008:
We tend to use the term "expert" very sparingly, since it connotes a person who knows "everything" about a given subject, and we suspect there are few people who would qualify in any field, in that sense, at least. We certainly don't consider ourselves even close to expert in jigsaw puzzles. We are, however, familiar with the study of prices throughout history. People who didn't live in those years often have difficulty believing or understanding such prices.
Those prices do indeed sound right to me. Remember that men who had families to support sometimes worked for 50¢ per day, and were glad to find the work. Bread was often a nickel a loaf, a typical cardboard jigsaw puzzle might cost a dime, and one could sit in a movie house and watch two movies and several cartoons and newsreels (as many times as one wanted, in a single day ), for 5¢ or 10¢ (plus 5¢ for popcorn).
There seems to have been almost countless companies and individuals making jigsaw puzzles during the puzzle craze of the 1930's, and there were many, many puzzle lending libraries.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1973]from "WH"-- 22 April 2008:
I have a puzzle called "1950 Philadelphia Phillies (The Whiz Kids)".
It is #5 in the Collectors Series of Baseball's Greatest Teams Series by The Card Memorabilia Associates, Peekskill, N.Y. I would like to know when it was made....
Thanks

"WH", Arroyo Grande, CA
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1974]from "C22"-- 22 April 2008:
Hi !
I am just curious as to the age of the 12" round "Snow White" and the like puzzles that came in the canisters, with the picture on the outside of the canisters. I currently have the 12" round "Snow White", "Rumplestiltskin", and "Pied Piper" puzzles, as well as the 10"x14" square "Sleeping Beauty" puzzle, which also came in the same size canister. All puzzles made by H-G Toys.
Please respond ASAP.

Thanks,

"C22", Illinois
***************
from Jim McW -- 23 April 2008:
We have had the impression that these puzzles were first published in the 1950's. Anne Williams says, approximately the 1960's. However, one informant says the company began operation in 1947. We have no evidence of the H-G canister puzzles this early, however.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[1975]from "K22"-- 22 April 2008:
Has anyone noticed that the Hometown Collection puzzle, "Grand Peacock Hotel" is the same hotel as the one in "Check In"? A bunch of the people and scenery are the same, you just see them from a different perspective and a little later in time... It's really neat!

"K22", KCMO
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)