[1516]from "DM"--28 June 2005:
Hi I found your web site and was wondering if you are willing to help me? I have 2 Milton Bradley puzzles. Early American
1. the olde cape Henry light Virginia 1791 number on box (4776-3)
2. Benjamin Franklin's olde bookshoppe-Philadelphia-1732 number (4776-1).

I was wondering if you could tell me how old they are? Thank you.
"DM"
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from Jim McW--4 July 2005:

We suspect they were both issued in the mid-1970's, but it is possible they were published a bit earlier, perhaps even in the 1960's. Here's a picture of one of them:
" The Olde Cape Henry Light - Virginia -1791 ", MILTON BRADLEYTM
Jim McW
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[1517]from "HM"--1 July 2005:
Hello. I noticed you have a list of all of the puzzle titles. Well I have a puzzle that is just a forest. Lots and lots of tree trunks with wild flowers on the bottom left corner and then just leaves at the top of the puzzle. I'm trying to find another one, but I don't know what the title is... Do you guys?

Please write me back. Thanks!
"HM"
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from Jim McW--4 July 2005:

Well, not ALL the titles, by a long shot!
We have, with a lot of help from many different individuals, compiled some lists of some lines or series of puzzles. The one you describe doesn't ring a bell. I assume you don't have the box.
Does anyone recognize this puzzle from the description?
Jim McW
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[1518]from "WMM"--1 July 2005:
I have 3 puzzles which I have just come into possession of which I would like your opinion.
I believe all three were made in the 1930's.

The first is a Piccadilly Jig Picture Puzzle - over 200 pieces - scroll cut - No.61 x made in U.S.A. called "Lilac Time" - missing 3 pieces

No. 2 is a Perfect Jig Puzzle Full Interlocking - over 300 pieces - 25 cents - No.17 "Morning in the Garden" The Perfect Games Co. 607 Barr. St. Fort Wayne, Indiana - missing 3 pieces

No. 3 is a Mayfair Jig Picture Puzzle- scroll cut - over 200 pieces called "Pacific Sunset" - complete puzzle

None of them have a picture on the box.

The Mayfair Puzzle looks like it was printed on the wrong side.

I would appreciate any info you might have on these puzzles.

Thank you,
"WMM"
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from Jim McW--4 July 2005:

We suspect they were all issued in the 1930's. The Piccadilly Jig and the Mayfair were probably published by MILTON BRADLEYTM.
Jim McW
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[1519]from "FB"--1 July 2005:
Hi!

....I'm from Terrebonne near Montréal in Québec (Canada). I would like to know if you can help me. I bought a puzzle a few weeks ago in a garage sale. I paid only 1 $ can. for it. The puzzle is complete and in very very good shape. I send you a picture of the box and the puzzle.:
" Indian Moose Hunt ", THE STRAND JIG
box, " Indian Moose Hunt ".
I looked on the Internet to find its history, but I didn't find anything about it. Is The Strand Jig the name of the company ? Its title is Indian Moose Hunt. The box look in good shape. It's made in U.S.A. and it's written NO 55. The pieces are red under and thick. I don't know how vintage it is, maybe you can help me....

Thank you !

I'm waiting for your answer !

"FB"

P.S. Sorry for my English, I'm not very good.
"FB"
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from Jim McW--4 July 2005:

We have only found record of Strand puzzles produced by MILTON BRADLEYTM, published during the 1930's. The style of the box is also typical of this period.
By the way, we think your English is very good!
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1520]from "NB"--6 July 2005:
I think I may have the original 'Deep Winter' painting although I do not collect art so I do not know to be sure. My father bought the painting (not sure where or when) and he was a keen artist, however, he died when I was very young so I never spoke with him about it. It was hanging in my family home while I was growing up and as a small boy I was facinated by the secret message. Eventually we sold the house and my mother let me take the painting with me. I have always wondered who Shirley was and she was the reason why I started to look up Frank Hamilton on the web. As I say, I couldn't be 100% sure it is the original but any comments would be interesting.

thanks

"NB"
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from Jim McW--6 July 2005:

See more discussion on our Frank M. Hamilton Page.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1521]from "DH"--7 July 2005:
Hi, could you help me, I have 2 Waddington puzzles, both circular, and no's 508 and 520. Could you tell me anything about them, 508 seems to have ships through time, and 520 is seven wonders of the ancient world.
many thanks.
"DH"
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from Jim McW--25 July 2005:

We have heard of at least one puzzle similar to what you describe, "Ships Through the Ages", but it was described as no. 550, and issued in 1968. We suspect that these popular subjects may have been issued more than once.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1522]from "CK"--7 July 2005:
Ref 1459 and 1464, Page 91. Mammoth jigsaws

I was interested to read [the comments] about a Chad Valley jigsaw of Exeter Cathedral. I have a 400-piece Mammoth of the same subject which I am fairly confident comes from the 1930s, as it's in the same series as " Delhi Durbar ". Am I correct?

I have also just acquired a Mammoth puzzle,
" Gossips' Tree "
This has 400 (very difficult) pieces and has the number '23' on the box. I'm at a loss to know to which decade this belongs as, unusually, it has a picture in full colour on the box. I had thought Mammoth were confined to the 1930s, but I'm not sure about this one. It's a very handsome puzzle, with a deckled edge and pieces cut in the style of Waddington's vari-piece puzzles in their glory days of the mid-60s-70s. I defy anyone to complete the border before starting on the puzzle - for the first time ever I had to start in the middle and didn't find the last edge piece until there were only half a dozen left.

I should be most grateful if you could 'date' the Mammoth puzzle for me.

Best wishes
"CK"
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from Jim McW--12 July 2005:

We have asked one or two people more knowledgeable than ourselves, with the following results:

from Penny Melling:
"Number 23 is "Sir Malcomb Campbell's Bluebird".
Number 123, however, is " Gossips Tree, Fontwell Magna". The Mammoth box design did change over the period of production and the later puzzles had coloured Guide Pictures on the lid. This was issued prior to the second World War but after 1933.

The scolloped edge pieces were not uncommon in this period and were used by both Card and Wooden jigsaw puzzle manufacturers."

from Keith:
"The Mammoth puzzle No. 20 "Exeter Cathedral" had the 20 on the lid, in a circle, with an unframed Guide Picture. It listed puzzles 18 to 29 on the base of the box . 'Delhi Durbar' was number 32, so was a slightly later issue but they almost certainly were current issue at the same time for a short period.
For your information The Imperial Delhi Durbar was in 1911, when King George V and Queen Mary visited India after their Coronation. The series of pictures from this were very popular and widely reproduced throughout the reign. All the British Jigsaw Puzzle companies both wood and card seemed to have included one or more from this series in their portfolio at some time during this period. Even if it was 20 years or more after the event."

Thanks to all (and we will continue to look for more information)
Jim McW
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[1523]from "RH"--8 July 2005:
PARKER BROTHERS PASTIME PUZZLE
Maybe this is not the place where I should be asking this, but do you know anything about a Parker Brothers puzzle called Christmas. I know some were made in 1929 because we have one with an inspection date of 2/18/29.

The picture is of the Virgin Mary holding a baby apparently Jesus.

Some of the pieces are very unique.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

Sincerely,

"RH"
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from Jim McW--11 July 2005:

We have heard of Pastime titles, " Christmas Cheer ", " Christmas Coach ", and " Christmas Playmates ". We are not aware of any complete listing of all the many titles which were published in the PASTIME series over the years.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1524]from "PB"--July 2005:
I have a ten piece miller beer can puzzle which i beleive i got in the 1970's. On the front of the puzzle can is Miller& Miller configuration and also Synergistics Research Corp. New York,N.Y. 10011. I can not find a date on this anywhere. The puzzle is in very good shape. Any info...would be greatly appreciated.
Thank-you,

"PB"
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from Jim McW--17 July 2005:

We have heard of Synergistics Research Corp., and they apparently issued some very innovative puzzles, including puzzles of one solid color, packaged to resemble cans of paint, as well as puzzles advertising various products, including CHICLETSTM. However, we were unfamiliar with this puzzle (until now). Does anyone recognize it, or know about such a series?
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from "PB"--24 June 2006:
Here's a picture:
Miller Beer puzzle
"PB"
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[1525]from "SH"--16 July 2005:
RE:[816] Ceaco Family Puzzles with Graduating Pieces
[mentions two CEACO titles:
" Jack and the Bean Stalk " (by Scott Gustafson?)
" Little Red Riding Hood ", by Scott Gustafson.]

I too have been looking for more of these puzzles. I have one by Scott Gustafson called, " Pat-A-Cake ". I believe I purchased it at Walmart many years ago and have not seen any more. Please let me know if you ever found more.
"SH"
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from Jim McW--17 July 2005:

We have seen a few puzzles with graduated pieces:

" Everything's Up to Date at the North Pole ", 500 pieces, PZL3420, SPRINGBOKTM, 1986.
" A Mad Tea Party ", by Scott Gustafson, 500 pieces, CEACOTM, 1994.

Can anyone add to this list? Are puzzles with graduated pieces still being issued today?
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from "DJ"--14 December 2007:
We have 4 of the 500 piece graduated puzzles put out by Ceaco. We purchased them years ago from Toys R Us. One is "Pat-A-Cake" by Scott Gustafson, another is "Dear Mom" by Mary Jane Begin. Do you know if these are still distributed or where they could be purchased second hand? We are missing some pieces and would like to replace the puzzles. The pictures are darling and it's so fun for multiple ages to work on together.

Thank you.
"DJ"
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[1526]from "AEB"--15 July 2005:
Hi,
I have some jigsaw Puzzles that date back from about Pre 1940's
They are all on a religious theme :-
" Moses "
" Jesus "
" Birth of Christ "
" Daniel "
" Noah "
" Bible Stories "

Each Jigsaw is 11 1/2" x 8 1/2".
They are on Board with large pieces (15 pieces per puzzle)
I wondered if anyone knew anything about them ??
Thanks in anticipation
"AEB"
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from Jim McW--17 July 2005:

You say they are "on Board", but do you mean cardboard? The style suggests the early 19th century to me.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from "AEB"--17 July 2005:
Hi,
Yes they are made from a very soft cardboard.... and the jigsaws are more than likely from the U.K.
Thanks,
"AEB"
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from Keith--23 July 2005:

Hi Jim,
These are a set of puzzles from an Ernest Nister, London & P. Dutton & Co., New York " Puzzle Box" from around 1900. His business was started in 1877, flourished c. 1891 to 1900, and was most famous for its Pop-Up books (which are highly sought after in todays market).
The title of this set would have been something like "Bible Stories Puzzle Box" and would have included 5 guide pictures plus another title picture on the lid. The three pronged interlocking joints were a feature of many Nister Puzzles.

Ernest Nister was the owner of an art studio and printing company in Nuremburg, Germany, a centre for toymaking in the late nineteenth century. The Company was best known for its superior quality and printing of childrens books. In addition to being marketed in Germany their childrens items were also produced especially for an English audience from Nister's London Headquarters, and also for an American audience through the publisher Dutton. (See P. 144 of Anne Williams' Jigsaw Puzzles: An Illustrated History and Price Guide)
Keith
P.S. Note that many of the puzzles were stack cut, usually in one lot for any set. (Take a look at those illustrated.)
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from "AEB"--8 August 2005:
Thanks Keith for such a Fantastic Answer, It's given me a great start to look for some more information.

Great Work.
"AEB"
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[1527]from "LFM"--17 July 2005:
Hi, I have the 50's Early American Bandstand puzzle.... I understand there are 3 more puzzles to the set...60's Dick Clark Salutes Youth, 70's Rate-A-Record, and 80's Dancing to the latest.

Can you tell me if these are available [anywhere] ? I would appreciate it.

Thank you
"LFM"
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from Jim McW--17 July 2005:

I think these must all be from the 1980's at the latest, so they are unlikely to be available in retail outlets. You can look through the internet puzzle stores for which we have links on our LINKS page. Also, try doing a search on major search engines, as well as on major internet auction sites. Good luck, and let us know if you have any luck. (and send us a picture of the one you have!)
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1528]from "KP"--18 July 2005:
" The Sunset Inn " (?)
The writing on the left bottom says Brandt & Brandt NY.
The artist's name on the right bottom looks like an E. N. (or H.) Bis...???

I hope you can give me some info/history and value of this puzzle. I believe it belonged to my Grandmother, __________, who used to live in Michigan, then moved down to Florida in 1952.

Thank you for any kind of a response! Good luck!
"KP"
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from Jim McW--20 July 2005:

The signature seems to read " E.W. Bissell " or something similar. Brandt & Brandt is listed as a company producing puzzles during the 1930's, by Anne Williams in her monumental work, Jigsaw Puzzles: An Illustrated History and Price Guide.
The hunters are standing in front of THE SUNSET INN. Is this the title?
Can anyone identify the piece or the artist?
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1529]from "KA"--20 July 2005:
RE: Puzzle Inquiry no. 85, Page 7
I had this puzzle (map of the world, flags of the world, and the 7 wonders of the ancient world) as a kid, but it is now lost to history (much like 6 of the 7 wonders of the ancient world).
I have wanted to find another copy of the puzzle for many years now, but didn't even know where to start looking. Did you ever find out who made it and whether or not it is available for puchase anywhere??
"KA"
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from Jim McW--22 July 2005:


" Pictorial Jigsaw Puzzle World Map ", JAYMARTM, 1954 [?], with the Seven Wonders of the World.

Is this the puzzle in question? Someone sent us this picture several years ago. If this is it, the only place you're likely to find it is on the secondary market, that is, in internet auctions or in antique shops, etc.
Thanks,
Jim McW
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[1530]from "EAH"--22 July 2005:
RE: 17th century dutch interior puzzle
Hi, I found this puzzle at a yard sale. It has never been open, it was done by herman ten kate. I would like to know if you could tell me something about it.
THANKS,
"EAH"
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from Jim McW--22 July 2005:

The only puzzle I can think of which may fit your description is this one:
" Dutch Interior ", TUCO, 1930's [box] [puzzle]
Is this the same picture? (I doubt it is, since Sterling Mason lists the artist as Hooch.)
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from "EAH"--24 July 2005:
hi, I am sending you a picture of the puzzle box:
" 17th Century Dutch Interior ", by Herman Ten Kate.

"EAH"
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from Jim McW--24 July 2005:

It looks as though this was published by the E.E. FAIRCHILD CORP.TM, as part of a FINE ARTS series. Others in the same series appear to be:
1. " Dance Class ", Edgar Degas
2. " The Drawbridge at Arles ", Vincent Van Gogh
3. " Landscape in Provence ", Paul Cezanne
4. " Caribbean Lagoon ", ?
6. " Flower Stall ", ?

Is there a year of issue, or other information?
Thanks,
Jim McW
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from "EAH"--26 July 2005:
Hi, thank you for your help, this is on the bottom of the box:
SERIES # 1900B FINE ARTS PUZZLE
Thanks,
"EAH"
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