[1996]from "JG"-- 19 June 2008:
I have a jigsaw puzzle by an unknown maker and would like some information on it if possible. The puzzle is 13 1/2 by 9 1/2 inches and has about 250 pieces. The box has no information on the manufacturer. The only information on the box is the number of pieces, the title and the number 241. The picture is a Currier and Ives print with the same title.

Thank you for your help.

"JG", Medford, Oregon
" Life of a Fireman ", unknown maker.
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from Jim McW -- 19 June 2008:
See No. 1828, Page 111.
Here's a couple of pictures from our files.:
" Life of a Fireman ", JAYMAR.
" Life of a Fireman ", JAYMAR.

However, the picture you provide looks as though it may be a wooden puzzle. You don't say whether it's wooden or cardboard.
Thanks, Jim McW
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from Jim McW -- 21 June 2008:
We did a bit of further research and found that your puzzle is based on a mid-19th century painting by Louis Maurer. The full title is " Life of a Fireman: The Ruins-'Take Up'-'Man Your Rope'".
Thanks, Jim McW
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[1997]from "KLG"-- 20 June 2008:
I was given an old print of the Lone Wolf with the following in the left bottom corner: 2609 THE LONE WOLF
It looks like the one you have posted with the wolf looking down on several cabins in the snow. It's frame is an old wooden one, but very ornate (gold paint is flaking off) and the paper back is almost gone.
Do you know what the numbers 2609 mean?

"KLG"
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from Jim McW -- 21 June 2008:
See No. 1299, Page 82, for a little more information and discussion. This may be a catalog number for the lithographer or publisher.
Thanks, Jim McW
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[1998]from "C26"-- 26 June 2008:
I bought a Jaymar 400 piece Picture Puzzle in a Can of a Thai Temple. It also lists Pan American Airline on the can. Any info. about the date or history of these types of puzzles? Thanks.

"C26"
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from Jim McW -- 29 June 2008:
We are not familiar with this JAYMAR series. It is a colorful issue from the PAN AMERICAN WORLD AIRLINES series, but I don't remember seeing one of these before. I would guess it's from the 1960's, but that really is just a guess.
Does anyone have any other examples of this series? Any more information?
Thanks, Jim McW
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[1999]from "K25"-- 25 June 2008:
I recently had the pleasure of partially working a Par puzzle - 1200 pieces, over 20 figurals, irregular edge and a collage image. Par time was 11 hours (no wonder I didn't finish it). So now I'm hooked but not sure I can afford one of my own. How comparable would other vintage wooden puzzles such as Pastime and U-nit be?

"K25"
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from Jim McW -- 29 June 2008:
See our PAR page, for a few pictures which various puzzlers have sent us. They can easily cost as much as $2000 (or more). I don't think I've ever seen a complete PAR puzzle sell for less than $1000. So, they're definitely out of our price range. Consequently, I must admit that we've never worked a PAR puzzle. However, we've worked some really beautiful wooden puzzles and some really difficult wooden puzzles. We understand the attraction of almost any unique collectible [unique meaning "one of a kind"]. As we understand it, though, part of the attraction of PAR puzzles is the care and artistry with which they were made. It is possible to find other, not quite so expensive wooden puzzles which were crafted by masters. You can browse through our WOODEN PUZZLES page and those linked from it, to get some idea of the variety and range available.
You can expect to pay considerably more than for a cardboard puzzle of the same size, but usually much less than for a PAR puzzle. I hope this may help you a little.
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2000]from "TH"-- 30 June 2008:
I have an older puzzle with no box. WE put it together and it is 2500 pieces. It has a number 4870-16. We know the puzzle number because it is on the puzzle itself. It was quite the challenge. The number came up as one of the Milton Bradley puzzle series. I don't know the name of it. Here is a picture if you would like to add it to your site. Thanks

"TH"

alpine scene", unknown title [see below - Jim McW]
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from Jim McW -- 1 December 2008:
We have recently learned that the title of this puzzle is " Mountain Chalet, Switzerland ". Thanks to "FF" for this clarification.
Jim McW
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[2001]from "TH"-- 30 June 2008:
I have this old detailed puzzle and have no idea what it is or who made it.... It is 18.5"x 24.5" and is glued to a panel. I would guess it has around 450-500 pcs.
Thanks for any assistance you may offer!

"BP"

fantasy scene, unknown maker title
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[2002]from "TH"-- 12 July 2008:
HI! I am looking for a special puzzle. It is of an Indian Princess. She has wings, and her hands are folded raised toward the sky. Have you seen this puzzle?
Thank you. I really hope to get some information on this puzzle. This is the description of the puzzle I have.
Thanks again.

"DL"
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from Jim McW -- 29 June 2008:
We find a few puzzles which are somewhat similar, such as " Indian Love Song ", TUCO, 1930's (no wings, hands not folded); or:

indian maiden, wooden, unknown maker and title [possibly PARKER PASTIME, prob. c. 1920's-1930's] or:

indian maiden, wooden, unknown maker and title [prob. c. 1920's-1930's]

However, none of these exactly resembles your description. I don't quite understand the concept of the wings. Are the wings supposed to be part of a costume? Is there some other kind of symbolism represented? It almost sounds more like a motif from the latter third of the 20th century than from the 1930's. Do you not have any clue as to the era or the maker?
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2003]from "A12"-- 12 July 2008:
I have a puzzle that is made by Whitman Guild Picture Puzzle, No. 2900, over 300 pieces is what is stated on the box and the title is "Between The Fires". Mountain scene by a river w/Mama Bear and two cubs and a porcupine all crosses a log over river and two men on a rock fishing behind them. Curious on the year the puzzle was made. It looks old but the puzzle is in good shape. Appreciate any information you may have.

Thanks,

"A12", North Carolina
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[2004]from "MC"-- 21 July 2008:
Re: Milton Bradley Good Old Days series

Hello, I have a copy of the Good Old Days puzzle "Meeting the 114." In researching the signature that is shown as "Swexey" on this site, I have found the artwork of Fredric Sweney, with an identical signature. While not able to find this painting or anything similar, I think he may be the painter based on the signature. He has authored instruction books on painting which might be able to confirm that he is the painter of the MB puzzle.

Thanks for a great site,

"MC", New Hampshire
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[2005]from "A21"-- 21 July 2008:
I have 3 puzzels that have on the front of the box a photo of one puzzle ane a big question mark for the hoto of the other puzzel I have never seen these before and cannot seem to find any info on them any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

"A21", San Diego
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from Jim McW -- 21 July 2008:

These sound like Perfect Double puzzles.
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2006]from "ROBBO"-- 24 July 2008:
Help!!!

Did Milton Bradley make a 1,000 piece JAMES BOND-THUNDERBALL puzzle in the 1960's, as they did with GOLDFINGER? I'm aware of the two 600 piece THUNDERBALL puzzles you mention in your site category "Media-Cinema & Theater". If they did indeed make one with 1,000 pieces, what was the graphic used on it? Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated!! Thanks

"ROBBO", Minnesota
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from Jim McW -- 28 July 2008:

We are only aware of the the one 1000-piece puzzle, which came in a box with a different style from the 600-piece puzzles.
Thanks, Jim McW
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from Jim McW -- 22 August 2008:

See more on this topic in no. 2015, below.
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2007]from "HM"-- 27 July 2008:
I have looked at your site and couldn't find an answer. I have a TOWER PRESS 470 piece jigsaw entitled " The Quiet Mooring ". It also says CLUB jig-saw, 470 pieces, full size 19" x 14 1/2.....
Can you tell me its age and a little about the CLUB?

"HM", Ash Canterbury, Kent, UK
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[2008]from "Cat"-- 27 July 2008:

Hi! I have a question about a puzzle my gram had in her attic ... It's a Tuco Miniature Puzzle and it's entitled "In the Orient" but I can't find out the year. Your website has one listed with the same name but I'm not sure what the McCann code is and the cover is actually a picture of the puzzle itself. It has 88 pieces and there's a man pulling a lady in a rickshaw with colorful wheels. The remainder of the picture is pretty dull! Any help would be EXTREMELY appreciated. Thanks so much,

"Cat", Gloucester, MA
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from Jim McW -- 28 July 2008:

We believe most of the miniature TUCO puzzles were produced during the 1950's and 1960's. Does anyone have further information on these?
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2009]from "B28"-- 28 July 2008:

Hi

I was recently clearing out my Aunt's house (she now has to reside in a nursing home) and I unearthed this wonderful painting, 'Deep Winter' by Frank M Hamilton, hidden in a cupboard. I thought this was too good to dispose of and, thanks to your site, I see I'm not the only one to appreciate this marvellous painting. Love the hidden message.

Cheers

"B28",
Stockport,England
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[2010]from "TL"-- 2 August 2008:

What years were Tuco Work Shop Puzzles made in Lockport Ny and please tell me anything else about them manufacturing puzzles in lockport NY.

"TL",
Lockport, NY
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from Jim McW -- 11 August 2008:

See our TUCO pages.
We understand Tuco Workshops produced jigsaw puzzles from about 1932 through the 1960's, and possibly into the 1970's.
Does anyone have further information on the Upson Company or Tuco Workshops?
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2011]from "JR"-- 10 August 2008:

I have a 787 piece, 3 ply (6.5mm thick), wooden puzzle entitled "The Introduction". The pink label inside the large, strong, floral fabric covered box, states "The SPONDON Puzzle", size 28 and a half x 21 inches written in beautiful manuscript. Under this is the statement (orders promptly executed) and A.Dinn, Spondon, Derby.

I have not done the puzzle yet but there is evidence of line cutting and intricate curlicue shapes. I do not detect any whimsies. There is a partial label on the base:

.....ON (Spondon?)Boudoir (Regt.) Boxes, Cabinets, Etc.
British Manufacture Price 1/8

First, can anyone shed any light on the puzzle manufacturer or the connection with A.Dinn of Derby?
Secondly, does anyone have a list or catalogue relating to Spondon puzzles to see how prolific they were?

All information will be much appreciated.

"JR",
Chester, UK
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[2012]from "JK"-- 15 August 2008:

I just purchased a Jaymar Puzzle. It is numbered 2339. It is a Mickey Mouse Club puzzle with Mickey driving a school bus with the other disney characters on the bus. What can you tell me about this puzzle. I have not been able to find any information about it. Thanks for your help.

"JK",
Buffalo, NY
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from Jim McW -- 17 August 2008:

We have very little information about that particular puzzle. We believe the JAYMAR DISNEY puzzles were issued in the 1940's and perhaps into the 1950's. There seems to have been a series of them, but we have not received enough titles to make up a list, yet.
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2013]from "SP"-- 16 August 2008:

I was wondering a few questions about Jigsaw puzzles. My first question is where did they originate? Also, when were they first made? How was it discovered? Who invented it? And are there any events, world records, or unusal facts about them? please write back as soon as possible.

"SP"
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from Jim McW -- 17 August 2008:
For records, see Record-Breaking Puzzles. The following is taken directly from our FAQ page.:

Linda Hannas, The English Jigsaw Puzzle:1760 to 1890, establishes John Spilsbury, printer, as a publisher of "Dissected Maps" no later than 1763, in Russell Court, London. Stukje Voor Stukje: Geschiedenis van de Legpuzzle in Nederland, by Betsy and Geert Bekkering, includes the story, somewhat skeptically, that Queen Christina of Sweden ordered her most beautiful paintings to be cut to pieces to make them into puzzles and had them glued on to the the ceilings, circa 1650. Some have claimed that some "dissected maps" were produced on the Continent a few years before Spilsbury began producing his.

18th and 19th century jigsaw puzzles were almost all hand-cut wooden puzzles. At first, educational themes predominated, but soon, more entertaining topics and treatments became popular. Cardboard puzzles appeared in the late 1800's, but did not become very common until the 1920's or so, when die-cutting techniques were invented which made the process more economical. The further development of this technology and, perhaps, the Depression, led to the Great Jigsaw Puzzle Boom, which began in the early 1930's. Jigsaw puzzles have continued to be popular to this day, although the industry has seen constant changes.

The history of the jigsaw puzzle, like any history, can hardly be encompassed in a brief statement. This entire website is designed to explore some aspects of the history of jigsaw puzzles. For more details, see various pages on this site, such as Record-Breaking Puzzles, Milton Bradley, Chad Valley, Huvanco, Madmar, McLoughlin, Parker Bros., Victory, Waddingtons, Tuck's Zag-Zaw, Zig-Zag, and many others.

Several books have been published about jigsaw puzzles' history (including:
The Jigsaw Puzzle, Piecing Together a History, by Anne D. Williams
Jigsaw Puzzles: An Illustrated History and Price Guide, by Anne D. Williams
Master Pieces: The Art History of Jigsaw Puzzles, by Chris McCann
British Jigsaw Puzzles of the 20th Century, by Tom Tyler
The English Jigsaw Puzzle: 1760 to 1890, by Linda Hannas
The Jigsaw Book, by Linda Hannas
TUCO Puzzles: 1932-1957, by Sterling Mason
The One, The Only, The Original Jigsaw Puzzle Book, by Francene and Louis Sabin
Stukje Voor Stukje: Geschiedenis van de Legpuzzle in Nederland, by Betsy and Geert Bekkering
Springbok Puzzle List, by Frances Main, revised by Julie Tallent
Scroll Saw Art Puzzles, by Tony and June Burns
Victory Jig-Saw Puzzles, by Brian P Price ).
There's several websites devoted to the history of jigsaw puzzles (you can see our LINKS page for links to them).
Furthermore, the history of jigsaw puzzles is still being written! Not only are a few dedicated collectors and researchers continuing this work, but there are new developments every year. The puzzles which are being released this season are, or will be, a part of that history.
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2014]from "TN"-- 18 August 2008:

I have a fairy tale block puzzle. It has 24 blocks (4 x 6) that makes 6 different scenes. I would like to know when and where it was manufactured, but don't know where to begin. Can you help? Do you have any of these puzzles on your site?
Thank You!

"TN"
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from Jim McW -- 22 August 2008:

We have put all the information we have received on this subject on a new page: Block Puzzles.
Can anyone add to this discussion?
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2015]from "ROBBO"-- 21 August 2008:

Hi Jim,

I asked puzzlehistory.com about a 1,000 piece MILTON BRADLEY, JAMES BOND, THUNDERBALL PUZZLE a while back (Posting #2006). Someone is selling this puzzle currently on the internet. Part of the seller's description says:

"...This has a copyright date of 1965...The front has a color picture of James Bond with 3 women. The back side is supposed to have a black and gold picture of Domino. Puzzle has over 1,000 pieces..."

The James Bond color picture the seller describes (and shows a box cover picture of), is taken from some of the actual movie poster art used on the 6-sheet size poster and souvenir program released with the film. The artist's name is Bob McGinnis. For what it's worth, the two MILTON BRADLEY, JAMES BOND, THUNDERBALL 600 piece puzzles have art by Frank McCarthy, the other artist used for the film's original release posters.

I love your website. Keep it coming! Thanks,

"ROBBO", Minnesota
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from Jim McW -- 22 August 2008:

Thanks for the information, and for the praise. Can anyone give us more information on JAMES BOND puzzles or artwork? More info on these two artists, Bob McGinnis and Frank McCarthy?
Thanks, Jim McW
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from "ROBBO" -- 22 August 2008:
Hi Jim,

In response to your request for more information on artists Bob McGinnis and Frank McCarthy, here's something for starters:

Robert "Bob" McGinnis is a prominent commercial artist, who was born in 1926 and is still with us. Since the 1950's, he has been illustrating everything from paperback covers (especially known for his seductive women), to magazine articles (TIME, LADIES HOME JOURNAL, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, etc.), to movie posters (BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, BARBARELLA, THE ODD COUPLE, THUNDERBALL, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, GATOR and many more). He is a member of the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame. Other than the 1,000 piece MILTON BRADLEY, JAMES BOND, THUNDERBALL puzzle mentioned in posting #2015, I've only seen his artwork on one other puzzle, a 1,000 piece puzzle from the IMPORT IMAGES, CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD SERIES, depicting his BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S art of Audrey Hepburn.

Frank McCarthy (1924-2002) was also, like Bob McGinnis, a prominent commercial artist. He did art for magazines such as REDBOOK and OUTDOOR LIFE, ads for clients like BALLANTINE BEER and GOODYEAR, plus covers for BANTAM, DELL, SIGNET and others. His movie poster art, in my opinion, is where his advertising artwork really shines. Some of his best is seen on posters for WHERE EAGLES DARE, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, THUNDERBALL and YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE. In 1974, he moved to Arizona and found success as a western artist. In addition to the two MILTON BRADLEY, JAMES BOND, THUNDERBALL 600 piece puzzles, his western art appears on several 1,000 piece puzzles by CEACO, GREAT AMERICAN PUZZLE FACTORY and SUNSOUT.

Whew! Sorry if I got a bit long-winded, but now you know a bit about these two artists.

"ROBBO", Minnesota
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from Jim McW -- 23 August 2008:

We are grateful for this added background. In fact, we did already have a little info on Frank McCarthy on our website. Your additional comments jogged my memory. See our FALCON page for a list [incomplete?] of his puzzles in FALCON's LEGENDS OF THE WEST series.
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2016]from "DJ"-- 28 August 2008:

Re: "For God and Country" and "Celebrating The Signing of the Declaration of Independence"
I have seen the two puzzles mentioned above and worked them as a young child. Are these two available on your site? Thanks.

"DJ", Nebraska
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from Jim McW -- 29 August 2008:

Once again, we must remind everyone that this is not a retail site (although we do have a few puzzles for sale on our SALE pages only), and that most of the puzzles pictures shown here have been received from many people from all over the world. Other than a few vintage puzzles offered on our SALE pages, and a few offered on other sites, listed on our LINKS page, there is not really a store anywhere that we know of, which retails vintage puzzles. Of course, you can search the secondary market (internet auctions, etc.), but it requires persistence and patience.
In addition, it is often difficult for us to answer questions about particular puzzles, unless you include enough information in your question to identify which of the 300 or 400 pages on our site you are citing.
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2017]from "P30"-- 30 August 2008:

I have a 20" diameter round puzzle. Where can I find a round frame? Thanks

"P30", Vestal, New York
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from Jim McW -- 31 August 2008:

Try a search term in the handy search box below. Try a term such as " framing " or " round frames ".
Thanks, Jim McW
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[2018]from "IWD"-- 15 September 2008:

Dear Sir or Madam,
I would like to make contact with Robert Blair Martin, the artist who created the cartoon "Verticalville" and other delightful works.
According to your info, he was a 1972 graduate of Arizona State University.
He worked for Springbok, and, I think, earlier for Hallmark.
Please can you help me with an address, phone number, or e-mail address?
My thanks,
"IWD", Kent, UK
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from Jim McW -- 6 October 2008:

We regret the delay in posting this request, and any inconvenience that some of you may have experienced in not being able to contact us.
We have significant difficulties with garbage e-mail, so we have tried various methods of coping with it. We are still working on this, and we have had little time to work on it, because of other commitments. We appreciate your patience and support.

We are not affiliated with puzzle manufacturers, nor experts in puzzle production. We are jigsaw puzzle collectors. As far as we know, Martin's work has been published on jigsaw puzzles, only by SPRINGBOK. Whether he was working directly for that company or they acquired rights from an agent, we do not know. Can anyone assist?
Thanks, Jim McW
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