[922]from Jim McW-19 February 2003:
We recently received a question about "exactly how many pieces there are in a 5000 Pieces Ravensburger Puzzle titled 'Galerir eines Sammlers' ( picture Gallery ), so if I count them I know if I am missing a piece."
Also, another person asked about "the exact count for a Springbok 1,500 pc puzzle and the exact count for the 1000 pc? I counted 1006 for the 1,000 pc. and was wondering if that is correct or not."

We frequently receive questions about how many pieces a certain puzzle or series of puzzles contain, for ascertaining whether the puzzle is complete or not. We do not believe this is a fool-proof method, since dies can break, resulting in two pieces "coming out as one". We believe, also, that in many cases, the number of pieces can vary from puzzle to puzzle within the same series.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from "Keith"--23 February 2003:
Hi Jim,
The number of pieces printed on most boxes are approximate and are usually labelled as such, either with the word approximate or sometimes the expression more than. Most die cut puzzles can in effect be described as strip cut ( regular interlocking pieces in both vertical and horizontal). If this is the case, then, by assembling one vertical and one horizontal edge and counting the number of pieces in the vertical and the number in the horizontal and multiplying these two numbers, the total number of pieces can be arrived at. This can also be used with some wooden hand-cut puzzles but with some caution, since the cutter may sometimes first cut his board into smaller sections and then divide up the sections in such a way as to arrive at, or very close to, the desired total. Some of the more challenging puzzles are impossible to estimate, so the number on the box can only be considered a guide.
Regards
Keith
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[923]from "TL"-10 February 2003:
While cleaning out my grandmothers attic I came across the following puzzles.

1. Made by Ontek- made in Canada- Little Friends, easy puzzle for little hands. It has 3 animal puzzles.
The box is in excellent shape as well as the puzzles.

2. Made by Ontek- made in Canada- Red Riding Hood, Fairytale Puzzle, #128. Box is in good condition and puzzle is in excellent condition.

3. Made by Ontek- made in Canada- Hansel and Gretel, Fairytale Puzzle, #127. Box is in fair condition and puzzle has piece of picture ripped off of a puzzle piece.

4. Made by Somerville- made in Canada- The Story Telling Set, Made for younger children, 4 puzzles in the box. Box is in good shape and puzzles are in excellent shape. Norman Rockwell scene, Peter V. Bianchi print, 2 Stuart prints.

Could you please help me with age, price, etc.?

Thanks
"TL"
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[924]from "MJ"-13 February 2003:
Please tell me if you have a stealth bomber jigsaw puzzle or do you know where I could buy one
thank you very much
"MJ"
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[925]from "MV"-17 February 2003:
Could you please tell me where I can find more information on the Artist series made by Somerville Games?

I have one puzzle that is called "Exciting Hunt" and the picture is of two men riding on horses and two dogs up front and one more dog that seems to be jumping into water or something like that.

I would like to know when and where it was made.

Thank you for your time and attention to this email.
"TWB"
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from Jim McW--26 February 2003:
See the Canadian Jigsaw Puzzles page, which may help you to date this Canadian puzzle.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[926]from "KKC"-18 February 2003:
I was wondering if you could tell me how many Shmuzzle puzzles were made by the company. I have a number of them and they all have numbers over 100 on the box. I would just like to know how many different 'designs' they produced before closing.
Thanks in advance for your help!
"KKC"
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from Jim McW--4 March 2003:
See no. 642, Page 45 and no. 664, Page 47. According to Anne Williams, Jigsaw Puzzles: An Illustrated History and Price Guide, these were produced by Schmuzzles, Inc., some years ago.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[927]from "AR"-18 February 2003:
RE: "Suspense"
Does anyone know where I can obtain a copy of this puzzle? It was made by MB Connoisseur many years ago but the one I have now has many pieces missing. The painter is C.B. Barber and shows a little girl in bed, praying before starting her breakfast which lies on a tray before her. Also on the (white) bed quilt is a dark brown kitten, and a brown and white dog - very like the HMV dog - standing looking down longingly at the breakfast. Further down the quilt lies an open book and a bunch of fresh wild flowers and a sheet of paper with "Pears" written on it - presumably Pears Soap. I have searched every jigsaw outlet I can find on the internet but cannot locate this jigsaw. Failing all else, does anyone know the website address for MB Connoisseur puzzles? I search internet auction sites regularly, but have only found an enamel plate of this same scene, also called "Suspense".
"AR"
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from Jim McW--20 February 2003:
Is this the puzzle?:"Suspense", MILTON BRADLEYTM.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[928]from "E15"-15 February 2003:
Hello, you have a neat web-site.
I am writing an article on the history of the jigsaw puzzle. I was wondering if you can give me an estimated number of how many jigsaw puzzles were sold last year in the United States. If not, perhaps a possible website that would give that info. I have researched the avenues I have, but have not found a number.
Thank you
"E15"
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from Jim McW--26 February 2003:
See our RECORD-BREAKING PUZZLES page, where we estimate ( guess ) that at least 10 million jigsaw puzzles are sold each year.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[929]from "DJ"-20 February 2003:
Hello,

Thank you for a great site! Have you any info on the Madmar Quality Co., Utica, N.Y.? The map is copyrighted by U.S. Hammond & Co., N.Y., but the box and contents are undated. The box is in rough shape and four of the counties are missing, but the remaining pieces are sturdy with some darkening. Is this something anyone would be interested in for the pieces?

Regards,
"DJ"
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from Jim McW--26 February 2003:
We would suggest keeping an eye on internet auction sites for similar puzzles for a while before discounting the value of this puzzle. It may be worth more than you think.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[930]from "anonymous"-20 February 2003:
Help!

In the early forties, Jay mar published several series of (approx.) 300 piece Disney jigsaw puzzles:

Series 2 -
Snow White

Donald Duck
Three Little Pigs
Mickey Mouse

Series 3 -
Ugly Duckling
Tortoise & Hare
Grasshopper & Ants
Pinocchio

Series 4 -
Three Caballeros
Cold Blooded Penguin
Posadas Children
Flying Donkey

Can you tell me what constituted Series #1?

Also, there is another group:

Saludos Amigos
Dumbo
Bambi

Can you tell me if there were more in this group and just what it was (or they were)?

Lastly -

I have a reissue of the Tortoise & Hare in 900+ pieces. Were any of the others listed above likewise reissued?

Thanks so much.

"anonymous"
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from Jim McW--5 March 2003:
I think we have one or two of them in our own collection, but you know a great deal more about these series than we do, obviously. Anyone who can answer these question, please write in!
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[931]from "LL"-20 February 2003:
I enjoyed the first 4 Holly Pond Hill puzzles and would like to buy more, but can't seem to find any new puzzles about Holly Pond Hill by Susan Wheeler.
Thanks,
"LL"
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from Nancy Ballhagen--5 March 2003:
As far as I know the Holly Pond Hill puzzles were discontinued (made by Warren/RoseArt), and they only made the first four.
Nancy
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[932]from "KKC"-20 February 2003:
Just wanted to let ya'll know that I think your site is great! I'm really glad there's a place like this on the web. I've found lots of great information here and it's fun to look at all the pictures ya'll have up. Thanks!
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[933]from "DK"-21 February 2003:
hi,
The Tuco puzzle that I have, according to the box style, is from 1938/39.
It is titled, "Sunshine and Shadows", TUCO, and says it has 300-500 pieces - sadly the puzzle is missing 2 pieces. On the side of the box it says, "ONE OF TWENTY-FOUR INVITING NEW DESIGNS Beautiful master picture reproductios in full color"

According to the Big Ben (MB) page the other puzzle I have is from the late 50's, and titled "The Birches", MILTON BRADLEY BIG BENTM. It is missing 2 pieces also. The box is the same as the one shown on your website, entitled "Big Rock Hole". Looks like it is Richard Ballhagen's type 4 box. (See his website.) I have attached pictures of both puzzle boxes....

I want to find someone who is interested in owning these puzzles, because I no longer have room for them.

please let me know, where or who, I may offer it to. Oh, I just saw on your website that there are puzzles for sale - how do I sell these two puzzles - there are no instructions for a seller.

thanks very much,
"DK"
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from Jim McW--5 March 2003:
Thanks for the great pictures!
The best way to sell puzzles is probably in on-line auctions. It is best to familiarize yourself first with the market, to see what kinds of presentation work best. Note that incomplete puzzles virtually always sell for less than complete puzzles, as one might expect.
We might also mention that your Tuco is an LG13, rather than an LG11. On the other hand our dates may not be spot on. Many of the dates of issue for puzzles on our site are approximate, including many of those of the Tuco puzzles.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from Jim McW--27 August 2003:
Compare this "Sunshine and Shadows" with another, no. 986, Page 65.
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[934]from "CT"-22 February 2003:
Hello, I have the John Deere puzzle "Restoration II", framed and hanging on my wall. Is there a "Restoration I"? This is a Charles Freitag print and I am interested if there is such a puzzle. Also, is there a company that makes puzzles from a picture that is submitted. Thank you.
"CT"
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from Jim McW--5 March 2003:
We are only aware of the puzzle you cite. Does anyone know of an earlier version? As for your second question, see our FAQ page. Also, visit the on-line jigsaw puzzle stores on our LINKS page.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from Nancy Ballhagen--5 March 2003:
As far as I know there was no Restoration I, Great American Puzzle Factory has several John Deere puzzles out. We have some other JD puzzles on our website also, under tractor and farm impliments by artist WH Hinton, made by SpecCast and are no longer in print.
Nancy
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from "NR"--14 June 2007:
The Restoration I print can be found at oldgloryprints.com. This is the only site, so far, where I have seen it.
"NR"
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[935]from "BOD"-23 February 2003:
Hi, I have a picture puzzle that I need Info about !!!!!!!
It is : American Series
Picture Puzzle
(Jig-sawed)
Made by Madmar Quality Co.,
Utica,NY
No. 520

Lincolns Gettysburg Speech (on the front side)
Driving The Golden Spike (on the Back side)
It's in the original box but its old!!!!!!
"BOD"
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from Jim McW--5 March 2003:
See our Madmar page for a bit of information about the company.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[936]from "DH"-24 February 2003:
I am looking for a puzzle of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, which was manufactured by Arrow Puzzles or Arrow Games in UK. Please let me know if you have any information about such a puzzle.
Thanks.
"DH"
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[937]from "PA"-26 February 2003:
I recently found a puzzle in a can. It must have been some kind of promotion by "Phillips 66. It is Hawaii Alaska Trop-Artic 2-sided, 165 piece puzzle. Markings on it are "1973 Media Sampling Corp."

Do you have any information about it? Is this something that a collector would be interested in?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

"PA"
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from Jim McW--5 March 2003:
Yes, in fact, there are at least a few collectors who specialize in advertising or promotional puzzles.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from Nancy Ballhagen--5 March 2003:
Don't know that this is any kind of answer but I have the very same puzzle a friend gave me several years ago, because we are big Route 66 fans up here and also puzzle fans of course. Phillips 66 had a lot to do with Route 66.
Nancy
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[938]from "B742"-28 February 2003:
I have a puzzle that I bought at a thrift store about 12 years ago. It is a little girl in a red dress teaching the star-spangled banner to three dolls and a teddy bear. It is signed on the corner piece, Gene Erbit. The piece also says, Louis F. Dow Company, St. Paul. The box says it is a Thickie puzzle, "for young folks", No. 100, Minneapolis. It looks to about fifty years old or more judging from the dolls. I have looked all over for information about the puzzle and have found nothing. I would like to know more about the puzzle if you can find any information.

"B742"
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from Jim McW--5 March 2003:
We believe that this company was making puzzles during the 1930's (JigZag, Mastercraft, Grant's, and perhaps others), but we suspect that the company name may show up on the artwork of several lines of puzzles, including Big Star.
Does anyone recognize the series, "Thickie" ?
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[939]from "SI"-28 February 2003:
RE: guild puzzle # 4667-36, Great Smokey Park,

Hi,

I was wondering if you can help me find this puzzle? I've had it for some years and have a piece missing. Would like to buy a new one as well as find out if there are any prints of this picture available.....I have been unable to contact Western Publishing Co.
please let me know either way if you can help.

thank you,

"SI"
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from Nancy Ballhagen--5 March 2003:
Don't know who else you could contact for info,. Western Publishing has been out of business for several years, taken over by Golden (I think) and in turn Golden (Guild) puzzles were taken over by Milton Bradley (Hasbro) then discontinued and is no more, as far as I know.
Nancy
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