[1312]from "BC"--6 August 2004:
For many years my family has put together the FX Schmid Exquisite Puzzle Christmas Greetings (No. on box is 97851.9) at Christmas time. This year I lost my wife in early December. My daughter and I vowed to finish the puzzle. It took us many months and many tears to finish it, but we did. In the turmoil of our lives, we lost several pieces. I am greatly interested in purchasing another of these jigsaw puzzles but I believe it is no longer sold. How can I go about tracking one down?
Thank You,
"BC"
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from Jim McW--1 August 2004:
Does anyone have an answer or a suggestion for this gentleman?
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1313]from "MW"--3 August 2004:
I searched your site but haven't come up with anything yet. I have a puzzle whose box cover has a lithograph of a small boy who is carrying a toy gun & pulling a toy cannon behind him, and he's pushing open the door to a Recruiting Station.
On the bottom right there are very (very) small printed words - all I can make out is Gp (???), then "LITHO in USA". There is a signature on the bottom left but I can't figure it out.
" Let Me At 'Em ", Best-Made Jig-Saw Puzzle

The side says Best-Made Jig-Saw Puzzle, Subject: "Let Me at Em" , 12x16, 300 pieces, interlocking border, interlocking center.
Below that in tiny letters it says "W.N. De Sherbinin, Mt. Kisco, N.Y."
There is a paper price tag that I think reads 50 cents.

I have counted & all the pieces are there.

I wanted to get some information on the date made, etc., and surprisingly even putting all of the above into every imaginable search engine in every way shape & form got me nothing.

Thanks,
"MW"
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from Jim McW--1 August 2004:
Many puzzles have been based on the artwork of R. James Stuart. You can read more about them in Chris McCann's book,Master Pieces: the Art History of Jigsaw Puzzles. One of the puzzles he includes is "Let Me At 'Em".
Anne Williams lists Best-Made in her book, "Jigsaw Puzzles: An Illustrated History and Price Guide". We wrote her, asking for more information about de Sherbinin. She says, "...the company's main business was lamps and shades, but it got into puzzles for a short time in the Depression craze of the 1930s. They eventually moved from Mt. Kisco, NY (address on their puzzles) to Hawleyville, CT. They also sold some wooden models around 1944."
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from "MW"--13 August 2004:
Hi-
I just wanted to thank you for not only posting my question, but for contacting Anne Williams and relaying her reply. I will check out the bookstore tomorrow & see if they have her guide.
It seems odd to me to "branch out" into jigsaw puzzles from lamps & shades...I wonder how they thought of that, and how/why they thought they were(or actually were) equipped to do that (I assume w/minimal investment) as opposed to anything else.
It is really interesting learning these things, and I think your site is great! I appreciate the time & effort (must be 24/7!) you put into it!
"MW"
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from Jim McW--14 August 2004:
During the Depression, many companies were going under or struggling just to stay in business. Many people were out of work. People were not spending much money, construction of new homes was down, spending on luxuries was way down, and many companies were adapting to suddenly changing spending patterns. The Upson Co., in NY, for instance, reacted to rapidly falling sales of their thick wallboard by opening "The Tuco Workshops" to produce extra-thick jigsaw puzzles from their wallboard. Some companies bought the heavy equipment necessary to manufacture jigsaw puzzles, others sub-contracted other manufacturers to produce their puzzles for them.
You can find Anne's book on internet book sites. We occasionally offer on our SALE pages a copy we've found, but we're sold out at the moment. You should be aware that Anne's new book, The Jigsaw Puzzle, Piecing Together a History, is coming out in November, but I suspect that the older, out-of-print book will also continue to be useful and in demand.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1314]from "JG"--7 August 2004:
I have an old print by Mary LaFetra Russel. it is titled "Shepard Show Me How to Go," and depicts a children's choir in front of a stained glass window picturing Jesus with a sheep at his side and a baby in his arm.
Do you know anything about this picture?
"JG"
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[1315]from "LC"--6 August 2004:
Hi, there my name is ["LC"] and I was hoping you might be able to help me. My children and I were exploring a old dump in the valley we live in. The dump hasn't been used for awhile any ways we found a old puzzle in it still in the original package. I will describe it but I was hoping you could tell me if I saved something worth something or just brought home a piece of garbage. It is a round puzzle made of tin and it says Star puzzle ,Churchill, a round puzzle of more than 300 pieces on the top, the side says cat.no 86o1967 Adult leisure corp. Locust valley no.by 11560.
We would be grateful for any information. My 5 year olds think it is a neat treasure.
Thanks
"LC"
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from Jim McW--9 August 2004:
Well, we don't offer appraisal services. See our FAQ page for a brief discussion of values.
We believe this series came out in the mid-1960's.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1316]from "RD"--17 August 2004:
I am searching for information on a Jaymar "Saturday Evening Post" puzzle. It is of a man doing a class portrait of 6th graders (I believe). The puzzle itself has a yellow square describing this (why Dohonas drew this and how as a child in his 6th grade portrait, he had to arrange his hands to hide the holes in his stockings). On the box however, instead of the yellow box is two captions. One said "Steamboat Annie is back." It was by Stevan Dohonas. The date of the magazine is June 15, 1946, and there's a number on the box "228". I would like to know the name of this particular puzzle and what year it was made. Thanks for any help!
"RD"
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from Jim McW--20 August 2004:
We believe this series probably was issued in the 1960's or 1970's. We also suspect that they seldom had a "title", as such.
It might be possible to research the artwork of Stevan Dohanos and find his original titles for specific works.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1317]from "D18"--18 August 2004:
Hi--A most excellent site! I have 2 questions:

1) Do you need any more listings and/or pics of puzzles?

2) Do you know when Whitman was making the "Crown" jigsaws? I have #715, "Good Company," a painting by Donald Teague. Only the border is fully interlocking, yet the box describes it at "new...improved," and that made me wonder if this is an older puzzle.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

"D18"
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from Jim McW--22 August 2004:
We are always glad to get lists of puzzle titles. It is often helpful to also know the series, date, artist, and number. We need pictures, but it is probably a good idea to check with us first, before you send us pictures. We already have many more pictures than we have time to edit and post, and on-line transfer of digital images can be a problem unless certain protocols are followed. Many of our best pictures have been sent to us as prints or on diskette or cd-rom, by US Mail (see our Contact page).
We have seen several puzzles based on the artwork of Donald Teague. All seem to be western themes. A puzzle cut with only the border pieces interlocking is indicative (usually) of issue in the 1950's. However, we have assumed the Crown puzzles were issued circa 1960's through 1980's, approximately. Can anyone provide more certain dating for this series?
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1318]from "KC"--21 August 2004:
Re: Painting by Ottenfeld
I have a framed painting of this work. It may be the original, dated 1929 . It was purchased in Holland soon after liberation in the 1940's by a Canadian soldier. What can you tell me about the artist, please.

"KC"
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from Jim McW--22 August 2004:

"Moonlit Waters", by Ottenfeld.
We assume you mean the painting from which this puzzle was adapted. It is sometimes referred to as "It's Raining Moonbeams".
We have found almost no information about this artist.
Can anyone provide us leads?
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from Jim McW -- 6 May 2008:

"GE", from Shreveport, Louisiana, wrote us with some excellent search results.: The artist's name was Eugen Von Ottenfeld, and he apparently was Austrian and lived from 1874 to 1947. Thanks!
Jim McW
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[1319]from "KJL"--23 August 2004:
Milton Bradley, No. 4611 "Drenched in Autumn Color"
500 interlocking pieces 16 X 20"
one of 24 subjects in a series Red Box Jig Saw in bright yellow letters

"Oath of Allegiance" over 375 pieces
Perfect Picture Puzzle 19 1/2" X 15 1/2" Made in the U.S.A. NO. P-50 red white and blue box - any info appreciated

Croyden by Milton Bradley over 250 pieces, interlocking #4905 "Moonlight over the mill" - any information appreciated

Flag Blocks, by the Embossing Company
Albany, NY #410
Hobby Chest, HOBBY Jig Saws over 300 pieces 14 X 22" Jaymar Specialty Co.
200 fifth ave.New York, N.Y.

Playtime House " Snowman" 300 to 500 pieces 16 X20" Rochester, N.Y. Any information on any of these please

"KJL"
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from Jim McW--26 August 2004:
MB, no. 4611, sounds like one of the CROXLEY series (although you don't mention that), perhaps from the 1950's[?].
"Oath of Allegiance" is probably WW 2 era.
I think the Croyden puzzle is also probably from the 1940's.
I believe the Hobby puzzles, by JAYMAR, were issued during World War 2 and, possibly, during the late 1940's.
"Snowman", by Playtime House, was issued in the 1950's, if I'm not mistaken.
Hope this helps, and thanks,
Jim McW
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[1320]from "CD"--23 August 2004:
Searching For a Jigsaw Puzzle

When I was a kid, my family had a jigsaw puzzle that had four pictures of large animals. I can't remember exactly what animals, but definitely remember a gorilla and probably lions. There may have been a giraffe and maybe a hippo. Each picture faced out, as above, and each was two-tone in color, not black and white, but black and green in the case of the gorilla, black and blue in the case of the hippo, etc. The idea was for four people to sit around the table and each work on a separate, trapezoidal section of the puzzle.
unidentified animal puzzle
The colors helped separate the pieces. Two sections were larger, presumably for the parents, and two sections were smaller for the kids. I'm guessing it was about 500 pieces, give or take, definitely not more than 1000. This was in the 1960's so I'd guess the puzzle was made in the early 1960's.

Of course, that puzzle is long gone. Ever since discovering internet auctions in 1999, I've been searching for a replacement, with no luck. I'm looking for any information about such a puzzle: who made it, what its name was, etc. Ideally I'd like to acquire such a puzzle. The next best thing would be a picture of one, to help in my search. Any help greatly appreciated.
"CD"
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from Anne Williams--9 October 2004:
Tuco made this Puz-L-Game in the early 1970s. There were several different ones in the series. It shows up on internet auctions occasionally.
Anne Williams. puzzles@bates.edu
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from "CD"--31 October 2006:
After 7 years of scouring internet auctions, I finally found this puzzle and was able to add it to my collection. I couldn't have done it without your help in learning the official name of the puzzle. Picture attached.:
" TUCO PUZ-L-GAME " Incidentally, this is from 1960, not the 70's.
"CD"
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from Jim McW--1 November 2006:
What is the evidence for the date of issue?
Jim McW
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from "CD"--2 November 2006:
There’s a copyright date on the box [below]. See also a picture of another puz-l-game, based on race cars.
Date of Copyright on box
" TUCO PUZ-L-GAME "
"CD"
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[1321]from "LG"--25 August 2004:
Hello,
Could you help my wife's elderly grandmother? She has a puzzle (approx 1000 pcs) framed and hanging on her wall. The scene is a European train station (Maybe Austrian?) with the brown open beam buildings in the background. On one of the stores it reads "Conzet" and since this is her Surname, she has always been curious about it. Any help you could give would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,
"LG"
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[1322]from "KD"--26 August 2004:
Hi, I was wondering if you would have any way of knowing how many Johnny West puzzles were made by Jaymar Specialty Co. and what year(s) they were made? I can send you pictures of the puzzles I have, if that would help. The four puzzles I have are "signed" by the artist, it is Lig. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You,
"KD"
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[1323]from "TKP"--25 August 2004:
Hello,
I have recently acquired a 1932 "Pastime Puzzle" titled POST HASTE. Does anyone know the subject matter of this one so I'll have an idea what to look for as I assemble it?
Thanks much,
"TKP"
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[1324]from "JH"--26 August 2004:
I have a Tuco Picture Puzzle not sure how old it is in the original box. Box is not in best shape but all pieces of puzzle are still here.

this is not an interlocking puzzzle it says on box thick pieces easy to handle.

The title of the puzzle is Autumn on the Siene

from the price tag on bottom of box the puzzle was purchased at Bon Marche Seattle for .39 cents

if you could help me to find out how old this puzzle is... I would greatly thank you for your help,

"JH"
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from Jim McW--26 August 2004:
This title was published by Tuco in at least two versions, one in the 1930's, another during the 1940's.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1325]from "HG"--26 August 2004:
Hello again,
I bought another puzzle and am unsure of the date. It "appears" to be quite old. I see many pictures and internet auction sellers selling Tuco round puzzles but have not yet been able to find a Tuco round puzzle in a "round box". This one was made at The Tuco Work Shops, INC in Lockport, N.Y. It is from Series No. 3500, has over 500 pieces which are made from 3/16" Upson laminated wood-fibre board. It says each subject is a true full-color reproduction of an original Kodachrome. On the back it shows that there are 6 in this series. This particular one is called
"Setter's Reward"
"Setters Reward" [bottom of box]
I'm also sending you another picture for your gallery..... It's called
"The Valley Below", Painting by C. Ivar Gilbert.
Thank you again for any information you can give me....
Once again..your site is beautiful!!
"HG"
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from Jim McW--31 August 2004:
Your pictures are good enough that we can note that the other titles in the round puzzle series (No. 3500) are "Lofty Peaks", "Cactus Country", "Mountain Vista", "Peaceful Mill", and "Last of an Era" (a covered bridge). We believe that this series was published in the 1960's or 1970's. We only remember seeing one other like this, and it was "Mountain Vista", from this same series, so it is very possible that only these six round-box puzzles were ever made by TUCO.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1326]from "PS"--27 August 2004:
I was delighted to come across your puzzle site. Very nice site.
I hope you can help me....... I have come across three puzzles that have only the word "Walzer" in the lower right portion of the frame.

The first puzzle measures 14 x 11 and is a picture of a child kneeling beside a blue crib say prayers with dolls kneeling beside the child. A pink bunny is also standing by the crib with its face to the wall. Who is the artist of this beautiful picture and what is it called?

The second puzzle has the same measurements and is a picture of a little girl sitting at her play table with her doll across from her in a high chair. Red cups and a plate of sandwiches are on the table. The little girls hands are in a prayer position. The girl is wearing a pink dress with a pinafore and pink socks with high top white shoes. Again who is the artist and I assume that Walzer is the company that made it. What year was this made? These letters appear on the bottom left. I believe it says CNC Erbit.

The third puzzle same measurements depicts a baby laying on a bed which has a pink covering on it. Two girls one with long dark hair, wearing a bracelet is sitting on the bed at the feet of the baby, while a younger girl with blond hair stands next to the bed near the childs head. Red word toward the lower right side say Merrill ch...the rest is cut off. If you could be so kind to tell me who the artist, manufacturer ( I believe Walzer) name of puzzle and circa is I would be most grateful.
"PS"
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from Jim McW--12 September 2004:
The A.M. Walzer Co. made puzzles for children, among other products. We believe they were based in New Jersey and Minneapolis, Minnesota from the 1930's or 1940's. Does anyone know more about this company and their products?
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from Jim McW--17 December 2006:
For Erbit, Cf.: no. 938, Page 62.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1327]from "JP"--31 August 2004:
Hi
I've been looking everywhere for a particular puzzle for my mother as she has the other three puzzles in the series, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere.

It's called "Welcome Home" in a series called "Masters Family Series" and made by a company called Rainfall. The other three puzzles in the series (that she already has) is Light of the World, The Fall and Forgiven.

The only other information I can give is they come in dark forest green boxes.

Has anyone heard of this company or puzzle series or can you point me in the right direction - it would be much appreciated.
"JP"
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[1328]from "DG"--8 September 2004:
Hi, first of all, I want to congratulate you for your website. You did a lot of research.

I am looking for a jigsaw puzzle but I can not find it, may be you could help me. The puzzle is the first page of the newspaper that announced the man landing on the moon. I have seen it, but I can not remember the brand. This information would be very important to me, because I want to buy that puzzle.

Thank you in advance,
best regards!
"DG"
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from Jim McW--8 September 2004:
There was a series of puzzles by PARKERTM which depicted front pages of the New York Times on notable dates in history [see no. 1009, Page 67]. One of these was "First American in Space" (1961). This is the only series that had front pages of newspapers on a puzzle, so far as I know.
If the puzzle you seek was not from this series, it may have been an early HALLMARK SPRINGBOKTM, circa 1969,
"Journey to the Moon". However, it is possible that there was at least one other, showing an astronaut stepping onto the surface of the moon.
Does anyone know of another series which depicted front pages of newspapers?
Incidentally, thanks for the kind words,
Jim McW
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from Anne Williams--9 October 2004:
Schissgall Enterprises of New York City made the "Life" series of puzzles around 1969-70. The ones I have seen all have space exploration themes. They also made a series of Peter Max puzzles.
Anne Williams. puzzles@bates.edu
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[1329]from "R.M.R."--8 September 2004:
Western Publishing - Whitman Puzzles
Just came across this puzzle.:
unknown title, view near Lincoln Memorial.
It is UNOPENED.
On the box it says: Interlocking Border, Round Guild "Scenic America" (it's a circular photo puzzle of Washington, D.C. Looking East from Lincoln Memorial).

Based on the automobiles I can make out from the picture, I'd guess it's from around 1960. It says that it has 650 pieces and is 23 inches [in diameter]. It was printed in Racine, WI.
Does anyone know anything about this puzzle (e.g... age, value, etc.)? Thank you,
"R.M.R."
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from Jim McW--8 September 2004:
I think you are approximately correct in estimating the 1960's, but I would simply say, "approximately 1960-1979".
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1330]from "JB"--10 September 2004:
Help! I am looking to find two puzzles from my youth that I would dearly love to put together again. They were:

1. Ragamuffin. This was a Milton Bradley 500-piece puzzle depicting a sad puppy with huge eyes chained to a park bench.

2. Matterhorn. This was a ROUND 500-piece puzzle of the Matterhorn with flowers in the foreground. I think it was Milton Bradley Dorset series.

Thanks for your help.
"JB"
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from Jim McW--13 September 2004:
We don't have either puzzle, although I think we do have one Dorset puzzle, "Spring Blossoms".
As for the "Big Eye" puzzles, see a little info on these in our MILTON BRADLEY section, Page 2, about halfway down that page.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from RB Puzzles--15 September 2004:
Hi Jim once again.

I noticed one of your questions about the GIG big eye puzzles and though I'd share a couple with you....

The ones you have listed are in the Milton Bradley section, however the ones I have are from Warren. They are both from a set (I assume) called "Jungle Kittens". Neither have individual titles on them. They are 500 pc puzzles with approx. size of 20" x 13 1/2". Neither are dated and I am only assuming they are from the same "era" as the MB ones, which is when these pictures were most popular. Both have "No. 473" on them, so no clues as to how many are in this particular set. Both of these are still sealed and shrinkwrapped with Wal-Mart price tags of .88 (those were the days, huh?).

Enjoy.
kitten, title not known, WARRENTM.
"kitten", title not known, WARRENTM.
RB Puzzles
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[1331]from Jim McW--13 September 2004:
"AB" writes in to tell us that she was able to find the puzzle about which several people have written us, "Night Before Christmas". See one of these requests from several years ago, No. 331, Page 24.
She says that she was able to find a copy on internet auction, and she also sends a picture of the box:
"Night Before Christmas", SPRINGBOKTM, PZL5902.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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