[2041]from "KL"-- 22 January 2009:

Hello Puzzle History!

I have received a McLoughlin Brothers Mfg. New York boxed puzzle "Dissected Map of the United States". Does anyone have information as to the date of this puzzle? I have searched the box, the front and back piece of each puzzle piece for any dates, but can't find one. Also, if you can share any websites regarding this mfg would be great. I saw your references to Anne Williams books, but would have to order that from the library.

Thanks for your help
"KL"

***************
from Jim McW -- 25 January 2009:
We know relatively little about MCLOUGHLIN puzzles, but we can try to guess the approximate date, if you care to send us a picture of the box or puzzle. It is also possible that someone may see the picture here and provide more information. Even if there were a date on the puzzle you have, that would probably not give you an accurate idea of when it was produced or purchased, since puzzles often bear the date of their original copyright or production, but may be published for years afterwards. Someone did once send us this picture, which we would date to 1880-1920, approximately.
Map of the United States, by MCLOUGHLIN.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
from "JS" -- 10 March 2009:
If “KL” enjoys old map puzzles, she or he can find some McLoughlin map puzzles at www.icollectpuzzles.com/Maps/maps.htm
"JS"
***************
from Jim McW -- 10 March 2009:
Wow! I had not realized how many pictures of great, old puzzles you have on your site. We emphatically recommend this site.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2042]from "FH"-- 3 February 2009:

Hello, I haven't bothered you with a question for awhile, but I got a "Generic" puzzle at a secondhand store the other day, it's an actual 550-piece picture puzzle in a plain white box (like the generic foods and products in the 70s). It's from Banal Creations and it's called Pretty Picture 1. The box says that someone slept all day rather than put the picture on the boxtop and there is a "psychic reading" of what the picture might be. Well kind of. And it's a genuine, nice-looking puzzle, just like those plain white cans that held genuine green beans etc. Do you have any information? Thanks,
"FH"

***************
from Jim McW -- 20 February 2009:
We have never seen one of these. Has anyone seen or heard of such a puzzle or company?
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
from Jim McW -- 20 February 2009:
Here's pictures which "FH" sent us of the puzzle and box:

box, GENERIC PUZZLE.

picture, " GENERIC PUZZLE "
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
from "PJ" -- 17 June 2010:
Just to add more info. I have a Generic Pretty Picture 2 Jigsaw Puzzle - 550 Interlocking pieces, 18" z 24"

Thanks,

"PJ"
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2043]from "JE"-- 4 February 2009:

About 2 years ago I saw a candy cane puzzle at a Hallmark store..not sure of the brand..probably Springbok...it was just a large mass of candy canes only in the picture...can't find it anywhere now....any help???
"JE"

***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2044]from "BN"-- 5 February 2009:

Hello..............
I have a puzzle made in 1973 by the Amer. Pub. Corp. titled:
"The Puzzle of Watergate" in black and white.
Not on [the internet], and not found on your site, do you know anything about this puzzle?
Thank you for your time and hope to hear from you,
"BN"

***************
from Jim McW -- 11 February 2009:
We were able to find one reference to a jigsaw puzzle based on Watergate, described as depicting insects coming out of the White House.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2045]from "JF"-- 9 February 2009:

Hello,

I have the puzzle " The legend of king Arthur " in my collection.(1000 pieces)

My 2 year old son found the guide picture and drew a beautiful picture on it, so it's partially unreadable.

Is there any way I can replace the guide picture?
Are they available on internet? (downloading - ordering .)

Greetings
"JF"

***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2046]from "HG"-- 13 February 2009:

Hello, I found your site when I searched the internet for information about Arrow Games jigsaw puzzles. I have a really beatiful 1000 piece jigsaw from Arrow Games titled "The Leaping Tiger". It´s still in the box, but I counted the pieces and there are 1000, so I´m just waiting for the time to do it. Looking at the box, I would guess the puzzle is from the early to mid seventies.
I am quite curious if this tiger jigsaw could be a part in a serie of wild animals, then I would like to get the other ones as well. I´ve searched online, but without luck.
I don´t own a camera, but I´d be happy to borrow one and take a picture of the jigsaw box for you to have on the site, it´s a really nice one.
Regards
"HG"

***************
from Jim McW -- 16 February 2009:
We have only seen a few ARROW jigsaw puzzles. Does anyone more familiar with these products know if there was such a series?
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2047]from "JV"-- 17 February 2009:

Re: HASBRO & Teach-a-Toy plastic jigsaw puzzle maps of the United States [see our Map Puzzles page]

What I'm really curious about and maybe what you could help me with, is the color of the state of Rhode Island. Both my wife and I had this puzzle as children but sadly, no longer have a copy. I recall Rhode Island was a blue pie-shaped piece, but my wife insists it was red. Political connotations aside, this debate has simmered for years.

It could be that we had different versions, pre and post 1959 and that the versions were colored differently. In fact, I noticed the picture at your web site shows the actual puzzle is colored differently than the picture on the box. The picture at your web site doesn't clearly show the New England states, but if you could ...just let me know the color of Rhode Island...

At any rate, you've already helped a lot with the info that there were two versions.
Thanks again,
"JV"

***************
from Jim McW -- 17 February 2009:
This is a subject close to my heart, since my Teach-a-Toy map of the US is one of my earliest memories. I, too, remember some of the colors of particular states. A close examination of the pictures we have on our Map Puzzles page will show you that there was at least one version prior to 1959, when Alaska joined the union. In 1959, or a bit later, there was at least one version which included Alaska.
My childhood copy, had Texas and Florida both in blue color, but you can see that they came in other colors. I can only suppose that the pieces, in the shapes of the various states, were all produced in six colors (blue, yellow, orange, red, lime green, and dark green), and that each puzzle was made up of a random assortment of colors (of each state). I'm not sure how they managed quality control, in making sure that each puzzle contained exactly 48 different states. Rhode Island was a "pie-shaped" piece, but I believe it was produced in six different colors. So, you're both probably correct.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2048]from "JM"-- 17 February 2009:

Re: Australian jigsaw puzzles
Some time ago, I acquired a "Visual 3-D" puzzle which was made by a company called Crystal Lines P/L in Victoria, Australia. This is different from the "Physical 3-D" puzzles made originally by Wrebbit under the trademark Puzz 3-D.

The puzzle consists of three layers which are made of clear flexible plastic. Each layer is a separate puzzle and they are separated by a thicker piece of stiff clear plastic to give the 3-D effect. The puzzle is painted on the flexible layers in opaque paint. My puzzle is a Coral Reef and there are at least 7 more puzzles in the series according to the brochure which was enclosed with the puzzle. There is also a brochure on a puzzle made from the M. C. Escher painting of the staircases. There may be other series as well.
The box has a copyright date of 1992 and the three puzzle layers and two stiff layers fit into a styrofoam tray which slides in and out of the box. Do they still make this line of puzzles? Where are they available for purchase?
"JM"

***************
from Jim McW -- 17 February 2009:
Unfortunately, we know next to nothing about Australian jigsaw puzzles.

Can anyone from "Down Under" help us out with this question?
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2049]from "SP"-- 21 February 2009:

Hello! I love your site. I have purchased over time 3 of the Dolls puzzles by Colorforms. I am wondering how many there are in this series? Tom Kelley was the photographer for the puzzles. I have three of them titled Holly Berry, Best Friends and Sweetheart. The Sweetheart one I just bought and it smells moldy or musty and I am wondering how to fix this? Thanks for your help.
"SP", Minnesota

***************
from Jim McW -- 22 February 2009:
We once sold a puzzle from this series:
"Sweetheart", French Bru circa 1880, COLORFORMSTM, from the DOLLS Series, with Photographs by Tom Kelley, 1983. Is this one of the ones which you have? Does anyone know how many there were in this series?
As for the mold problem, see no. 1613, Page 100.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2050]from "PR"-- 26 February 2009:

We just recently purchased a H Wysocki puzzle that was sealed but was put into a box labled for Lone Cypress, It actually is Solvang Windmill. Would this make the puzzle wprth anything other than just "puzzling"? Thanks for any information.
"PR"

***************
from Jim McW -- 28 February 2009:
In well-developed collectible markets, errors are a popular type of special interest collecting. Collecting jigsaw puzzles is not quite so well established in terms of a developed market. You may find a collector who is interested in errors. For instance, we considered ourselves fortunate when, in a two or three cases, we found puzzles with identical extra pieces. (We also found one or two other puzzles with almost identical extra pieces.)
It may be a bit more difficult to prove to the prospective buyer that this puzzle came in that box.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2051]from "CK"-- 1 March 2009:

Dear Jim

I'm very interested in the 470 series Waddingtons produced in the 1950s, but have been unable to find any information about them.....

As the name implies, they have 470 pieces. Written in gold script across two of the purple sides of the box is 'Waddington's 470 Jig-Saw Puzzle'. There is no other information, no title and no size. The picture on the box is framed in gold. I've had half a dozen of these puzzles so far, two are brightly coloured, others look dreary on the box but are splendid inside. It occurs to me that they may have some connection with Queensway Press's Mammoth jigsaws, as the cut is similar and the quality of the pieces is quite substantial, unlike the rather thin ones common in the 1950s.

These puzzles are now 60 years old, to my mind, under-rated. They are as challenging as Mammoths, generally cut better and, there being only about 10 years difference in their ages, makes me feel there may be some connection.

Any information you can give me would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

Best wishes
"CK"
unknown title, sultan's palace, WADDINGTONS
unknown title, coach, WADDINGTONS.
box, coach, WADDINGTONS.

***************
from Jim McW -- 28 February 2009:
Our general impression is that companies which actually have the production capacity sometimes contract to make puzzles for other companies, in addition to their own series. In other words, we assume that the total number of puzzle-issuing companies is larger than the total number of puzzle-manufacturing companies.

Also, the various puzzle producers may be expected to have some sources in common for their artwork. It is not at all unusual for particular artists' work to be found on puzzles of different series and producers. Either of these two factors may be suggesting the "connection" to you. Does anyone else have any ideas or information about these companies, series, or puzzles?
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
from "J15" -- 20 March 2009:
Hi there. I love reading your letters, my own one is number 1949, when I said I would like to help someone with a query.. Well at last my time has come!!! Here's a picture of Waddington 470 puzzle:
" The Lord Mayor's Show "
This may help CK. He is correct in saying the colours are lovely,
Keep up your good work All the Best
"J15"
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2052]from "TMM"-- 3 March 2009:

I have a Pastime Picture puzzle named " Joy Buds " and would like to know if you could tell me who the artist was and when it was made. I can not make out the full name of the artist on the puzzle but it is something like, C.I Wer reef or j at end. If you could help me out it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance
"TMM"

***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2053]from "MZ"-- 10 March 2009:

Good afternoon

I live in SW PA and last week I purchased a new Heronim jigsaw puzzle... It is called "Brown Derby" and it is part of the Hometown Collection. There appeared to be 3 or 4 new puzzles, but what was distinctive this time was the packaging - this puzzle was contained in a ONE-PIECE box with flaps, and the pieces were in a plastic bag inside.

Are the 2-piece puzzle boxes going the way of the VCR? This puzzle was the usual whimsical folk art style, this time manufactured by Mega Puzzles.... Still searching for the cat. :-)

Thanks for the time and effort in putting together such an impressive list of the Wysocki brothers' puzzles! Very impressive! I'll be on the lookout for some of these when the Yard Sale season starts!

Thanks again!

"MZ", in SW PA where it is a nice day finally

***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2054]from "GF"-- 19 March 2009:

First let me say how much I love and appreciate your wonderful puzzle website. Thank-you very much for providing it to us die-hard "puzzlers"!
I have a 750 piece wooden puzzle made by MERRIMADE, Lawrence, Massachusetts, and I have been unable to find any information about it.
It contains many figural/whimsey pieces and is very well cut with a tight fit. The wood appears to be mahagony or perhaps cherry?
Have you ever heard of this company? Perhaps it was a home-based private cutter?
Thanks so much if you can help me. Happy puzzling to you and yours!

"GF"

***************
from Jim McW -- 21 March 2009:
This was a new one on us, but a search on the internet led us to mention of a puzzle made by MERRIMADE, decribed as having been made in the 1920's or 1930's. During that period, especially during the 1930's, there were many, many people cutting puzzles.
Does anyone have more information?
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2055]from "PMA"-- 22 March 2009:

Hi!
This old wooden puzzle is the first that I have seen with a family solving a puzzle as a motive. Do you have any examples of similar motifs? Any idea about the age?

Unfortunately one piece is missing.

regards

"PMA"
family with puzzle, unknown title and maker

***************
from Jim McW -- 21 March 2009:
The style suggests 1920's to 1940's.
Does anyone have any information or ideas on this puzzle?
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2056]from "MS"-- 30 March 2009:

Dear Puzzle history,
I have recently been collecting the world wildlife fund 500 piece puzzles through online auction sites and opshops. They appear to have been produce by the company Sure-Lox as all the boxes display this logo.

So far we have sourced three puzzles [penguins, lion, and mountain goat] and a cheetah and an elephant. We have loved doing them and have attempted to contact Sure-Lox with no luck to determine, how many different animals were available in this series and what year range were they produced.

Is there any chance you could assist with this?

Kind regards,

"MS"

***************
from Jim McW -- 21 March 2009:
SURE-LOX is an Australian company, we believe.
Does anyone have more information on this company or this series?
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2057]from "LS"-- 6 April 2009:

Hi Jim,

I have a question about a Milton Bradley puzzle from the Good Old Days Series. My puzzle is 500 pieces and is number 4181-3 titled "At Close of Day", I am certain this is by artist Paul Detlefsen. This same Milton Bradley number is listed on your website as "Meeting the 114". Did the manufacturer use the same numbers for both puzzles? My 500 piece puzzle is marked 1970.

Thank you for such an interesting website.

Best regards,

"LS"

***************
from Jim McW -- 21 March 2009:
We believe you are correct about the title and the artist.
It has not been unusual at all for MB to use the same number to identify different issues. The numbers seem to identify the series and the puzzle number in a particular year or issue period of that series. So, we would normally assume that two different puzzles with the same number would be of the same series, but different time periods.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2058]from "SS"-- 10 April 2009:

I am trying to find out about a beautiful old puzzle I found at an estate sale. It is a Chatham Jig Picture Puzzle called The Wayside Home. It is NO. 4730. I cannot find any info anywhere about this puzzle or any other Chatham Jig Picture Puzzles. I would appreciate any help you can give me.

"SS"

***************
from Jim McW -- 10 April 2009:
We have a couple of these old puzzles in our own collection. They were produced by MILTON BRADLEY during the 1930's. See no. 1037, Page 68, and no. 1148, Page 74. Here's a list of the titles reported in this series.:

A Carpenter Shop in Nazareth
In Old New England
Majestic Splendor
Pal's Circus
Red Demon of the Forest
The Wayside Inn

Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[2059]from "SS"-- 13 April 2009:

Thanks for your response on the Chatham puzzle. I have one more question. Can anyone tell me the name, age or puzzle number of this old Tuco puzzle? The box is intact but there is no info on the box. The place where it should be is blank. The puzzle has 300 to 500 pcs.

"SS"
The First Snowfall

***************
from Jim McW -- 13 April 2009:
See our TUCO, the 1940's (Page 1) for another picture of "The First Snowfall". We suspect there were at least two other TUCO puzzle releases with the same title, but different artwork or photo.

Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)