[737]from "anonymous"-1 October 2002:
Dear Sir or Madam,

I have a question regarding the availability of a puzzle. I believe it was in a Caldor's Store. It is a winter scene with a young girl looking up at a cardinal in a tree. It may have been 500 or 1000 pieces.

I know without a model number, it is practically impossible. If you would be so kind as to tell me how would I go about trying to find one of these, so that I maybe able to buy it?

Thank you, in advance, for your efforts.
"anonymous"
***************
from Jim McW--3 October 2002:
Could this be the one?:
"Hello! Redbird", an Avon puzzle, Published by Milton Bradley. The picture is copyright C.MOSS 1943.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[738]from "anonymous"-26 September 2002:
TWIMC:
Several years ago my daughter gave me a two-sided jigsaw puzzle for Christmas. On the front of the box it says: Mother Goose, Series No.100, Madmar Quality Co., Utica, NY. One picture is of two little children; one holding a puppy on a stone ledge, the other, a girl, standing w/hands behind her back (quite obviously wishing to hold the puppy). On the reverse side of the puzzle is a girl w/umbrella, walking w/mother goose & goslings. I would like to know the titles of the puzzles, and what the puzzle might be worth to collectors. Is there a website pertaining to the Madmar Quality Co., which in the 1950's was bought by Foster Paper Co., I believe.
Thank you in advance for any information that you might have.
Sincerely,
"anonymous"
***************
from Jim McW--4 October 2002:
We are not familiar with this particular puzzle. As far as we know, Madmar puzzles have not been produced in the last 35 years.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[739]from "MJ"-27 September 2002:
Hi there-
I've been on the lookout for years for a puzzle that may or may not come from the Milton Bradley look-alikes series; it's a picture of an old-fashioned grocery\department store. I was crazy for this puzzle...my family somehow lost track of it. Any suggestions?
Thanks so much for your time.
"MJ"
***************
from Jim McW--4 October 2002:
We are not sure, but try first looking at no. 313, Page 22.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[740]from "anonymous"-28 September 2002:
I recently bought a puzzle and can't find any information about it. Can you help? The puzzle is in a 16mm film can. The title is Famous People Jigsaw, Star Puzzles, featuring WC Fields. It was released in 1969 and the finished size of the puzzle is 18" round. Can you give me any information about this? The company that produced the puzzles is: Adult Leisure Products Corp.

Thanks,
"anonymous"
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[741]from "JA"-28 September 2002:
I have two jigsaw puzzles that are puzzling me. They are both made by Playtime House, Rochester, N.Y., series No. 77 and are both marked Fine Arts Picture Puzzle, made of original lithographs. I have learned that Playtime House was owned by the Leo Hart Printing Company and that most of his estate has been given over to a university library. I wonder if you can give me any more information.

Thanking you in advance,
"JA"
***************
from Jim McW--5 February 2006:
See no. 1648, elsewhere on the Q&A pages.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[742]from "AMJ"-28 September 2002:
Can you tell me were I can locate Byerkey Puzzles.
"AMJ"
***************
from Jim McW--4 October 2002:
We are not sure, but you may be looking for BYERLEY puzzles. See no. 391, Page 28, and no. 505, Page 36.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[743]from "DN"-29 September 2002:
Hi,
Looking at the stories you receive brought back one of the happenings of my child hood puzzle making. One I never really forgot. Have told this many times when talking about puzzles.
My Aunt was visiting us for a week when I was probably 10 yr's old.
We worked on a ship picture puzzle all week and it was pretty close to being done. And then, I don't know what came over me but I was looking at the dark cloud behind the ship and said "I think there is a storm coming." And then, I said, "here comes the North Wind."
And, lo and behold, I must have blew pretty hard, as the whole puzzle went flying. And the look on my Aunts face I will never forget. And needless to say she never put a puzzle to gather with me again.
Even funnier she never said a word:)...
That still sticks in my mind, and wish I hadn't done that. But still laugh when I think about it.
"DN"
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[744]from "DN"-29 September 2002:
Hi Jim.
Have you seen any of this collection?:
"House Mouse Tails", side of box,
500 curly pieces, Looks like there are 5 puzzles in the series. Thought that the puzzlers would like to know they are out there and I do have this one for sale. copyrights 1999, 2000 Ceaco, Inc. Just found this one.
"DN"
***************
from Nancy Ballhagen--5 October 2002:
Hi Jim,
The House Mouse series came out a couple of years ago. We have one or two different ones left - they are listed on the Ceaco, curly and stick puzzles section of the menu on our web page.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[745]from "BW"-30 September 2002:
I am looking for a puzzle called the Citadel. I had it 15 or 16 years ago and was never able to complete it. I lost track of it in a move somehow. The picture was so amazing that it has really stuck with me over the years. If you can help me locate this puzzle I would really appreciate it.
"BW"
***************
from Nancy Ballhagen--5 October 2002:
Hi Jim,
The puzzle, the Citadel, was made by Warren Industries before they became part of RoseArt. It hasn't been made for probably 5 years. It was a very good seller.
"The Citadel", WARRENTM, copyright Kerwain, 1979.
Thanks, Nancy
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[746]from "NM"-30 September 2002:
Hi, we just found a jigsaw picture puzzle
"The Hay Wain", by Picture Prints, Inc., size 9 x 12 in a green box, no picture. 100 pieces. Could you tell me where to go to find out more? Thanks,
"NM"
***************
from Jim McW--4 October 2002:
We are not familiar with this company, but Anne Williams lists it as having made puzzles in the 1930's. See her great book, described more fully in our SALE section.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[747]from "KG"-2 October 2002:
Hi
I was wondering if you have any information about this jigsaw:
"Old England"
"KG"
***************
from Jim McW--4 October 2002:
It's a Good-Win, of course, a very popular line in Great Britain. I think we only have one or two illustrated at present on the site. One is on the Puzzles of Great Britain page.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[748]from "DM"-18 September 2002:
Hello, we do puzzles in our office quite often and we have an old puzzle we are about to start it is intitled "Bright Summer" Series 743. We are curious to find out the year this puzzle was published. Thought maybe you could help.
Thank you!
"KG"
***************
from Jim McW--6 October 2002:
Well, this question slipped by us somehow! We have no record of such a title, either. If you send us a scan or a photocopy of the box, we may be able to make a guess, based on the style.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[749]from "RT"-19 September 2002:
Dear Sir/Madam,

I have recently purchased a Clementoni puzzle, a 13.200 piece puzzle with Titiano's picture. I am just finishing it (after 3 months' work!). I would like to ask you to help me. I have some questions concerning the technique of the construction, i.e. how to glue and hang it. Can you answer the following questions? I would be really grateful if you could. If you cannot, would you forward it to somebody who you think could help?

What kind of material do I get after gluing the picture together? Like a textile, a curtain, or something firm and stiff? Is the half a liter of glue that is enclosed in the box by the producer surely enough for this huge surface? Should I do it on the board at its final place, because I have read that the glue can go through the pieces and stick the whole thing on whatever it is on. What sort of wooden board do you recommend? What glue can I use to stick the puzzle on this board, if it does not stick on it already from the surface glue? And what method, since this is 3 meters long and 1.5 wide. I will frame it, so should I get a little bigger board than the picture?
These questions are essential for me now. The Clementoni company in Italy could not answer them, which seems to be unbelievable.

Thank you very much in advance. I hope you can answer and help me fast.

Yours sincerely,
"RT", Hungary
***************
from Jim McW--6 October 2002:
This question slipped by us, too! We have no experience with gluing of puzzles or mounting them. In any case, we suspect that experience gluing normal size puzzles and mounting them might be of limited value in dealing with a puzzle of this size.
Having said that, we would GUESS that the best backing would be high-quality plywood, and, yes, it should probably be a little bigger than the puzzle. You will be the best judge of whether you want a clear or decorative border between the puzzle and the frame, or, you want the frame to cover just a little of the edges. You should be careful to have more glue than you need to finish the project, since it may work best if the gluing is done in one session. It will be fairly heavy, so a very solid mounting is essential. To protect the colors of the puzzle, you may want to cover the puzzle with something clear, perhaps clear vinyl, or, at least, hang it where it will not be struck by direct sunlight.
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)

[750]from "KMS"-26 September 2002:
RE: Proctor & Gamble give-away puzzle
Do you have any information about jigsaw puzzles based on the character Professor Oscar Quackenbush? One is called "Oscar and the Jumping Jack" and features Oscar as a pirate. The other has Oscar riding a rat and chasing a pink elephant. The puzzles were give-aways by Proctor & Gamble. The artist is listed as "French" (no other name), and the drawing style is similar to that in the Katzenjammer Kids or Major Hoople. Who was the artist? Was Oscar part of a regular series or comic strip? I have looked at other search sites but found nothing.
Thank you!
"KMS"
***************
from Jim McW--6 October 2002:
Anne Williams includes an illustration of one of these in her wonderful book, Jigsaw Puzzles: An Illustrated History and Price Guide, Fig. 14-50, Page 266. She says they are copyright 1933, and that there were four in the series.
We have recently acquired some of these, and we hope to have pictures soon.
Can anyone add any other info?
Thanks, Jim McW
***************
from "KMS"--8 October 2002:
I had also posted a query on the Proctor and Gamble webpage and today received a reply from Diane Wagner at the historic artifacts dept of the Corporate archives. The 4 puzzles are
1. Raiding an Eagles Nest
2. A Duck Bags oscar
3. Chasing Pink Elephants
4. Oscar and the Jumping Jack.
They were printed by Akron Paper Products in Akron, OH in 1933. Their guess is that the product being promoted was Crisco, but they have no direct records. This info may be in the book you listed. Do you have an idea of the value of the puzzles?
Thanks again,
"KMS"
***************
Respond or comment (note inquiry number)