Sports-Related Jigsaw Puzzles

Sports-Related Jigsaw Puzzles

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ESCAPE FROM FRAMES

Spanish translations are in magenta letters.

AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO. SPORTS SERIES, circa 1970's
We believe the player series was issued in the early 1970's.
"Joe Namath", AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO.TM, circa early 1970's.	"Dale Tallon", AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO.TM, circa early 1970's.
" Walt Frazier ", New York vs Buffalo	" John Havlicek "
" Gary Unger "	" Bobby Orr "
" Roman Gabriel ", AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO.TM, 1972, 300 pieces in a can.	" Johnny Bench "
can, " Roman Gabriel"	can, " Johnny Bench "
can, side 2, " Roman Gabriel "	can, side 2, " Johnny Bench "
We include these puzzle titles reported or known to be in this series: Dick Butkus Joe Namath Johnny Bench Ernie Banks Rod Gilbert Bobby Orr Dale Tallon
We believe the team series was issued circa 1978-9.
"Los Angeles Rams"	"Houston Oilers"

Due to sustained interest in these series and contributions of information from several individuals, we are posting inquiry 1332 here, in its entirety and with all replies and comments.:
[1332]from "LP"--12 September 2004:
I am looking for information re: American Publishing Corp. puzzles manufactured in the early 1970s. They were a series of puzzles featuring athletes (e.g. Dick Butkus, Joe Namath, Johnny Bench, Ernie Banks, Rod Gilbert, Bobby Orr, etc.). I would like to know how many puzzles were produced in the series, the athletes featured and if and where they are available.
"LP"
***************
from Jim McW--14 September 2004:
All we know is posted in no. 393, Page 28.
Of course, these are long out of print, and would be available, if at all, only on the secondary market, as prized collectibles.
Can anyone provide more information?
Thanks,
Jim McW
***************
from RB Puzzles--15 September 2004:
These puzzles were apparently produced either in a couple different series, or one long series that stretched over a couple years. I really don't know how many different ones were made at that time, but they appear to stretch over the 4 main sports of baseball, football, basketball and hockey. Along with the players that are named in the request, I have seen listed, in sports memorabilia catalogs - Roman Gabriel, Jim Plunkett, Wilt Chamberlain, Lew Alcindor/Chamberlain and Pete Maravich.
The reason I stated that I believe them to be from more than 1 year (1971) is because I have one of Dale Tallon (hockey) that is dated 1972 and the box is printed in slightly different lettering. It has the number 1742 printed on it. The only other one I have is Joe Namath, and is numbered 1475. I'm sure there are more than what is listed here, as I have also seen Pete Rose in this same series. It sure would be great to start a list of the known puzzles in this series.
As far as buying them, good luck. The ones I have found I acquired at a local swap meet. Other than that, internet auctions are about the best place to find them. But be forewarned, these are pretty popular with sports memorabilia collectors and prices could get out of hand.
Here are the puzzles I have:
"Joe Namath", AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO.TM, circa early 1970's.
"Dale Tallon", AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO.TM, circa early 1970's.
RB Puzzles
***************
from Jim McW--15 September 2004:
We have posted the pictures from this answer and the one for no. 393 on this page, along with the beginnings of a list of the puzzles in each of these series.
We request that anyone who has or remembers a title from either series, please WRITE US.
Thanks,
Jim McW
***************
from "LP"--12 October 2004:
Jim -
I am having pretty good success locating this series on internet auction sites. To-date, I have found:
1970:
Bobby Orr (NHL - Boston Bruins)
1971:

Ernie Banks (MLB - Chicago Cubs)
Gary Unger - (NHL - St. Louis Blues)
Rod Gilbert (NHL - New York Rangers)
Phil Esposito (NHL - Boston Bruins)
Derek Sanderson - (NHL - Boston Bruins)
John McKenzie (NHL - Boston Bruins)
Bobby Hull (NHL - Chicago Blackhawks)
Yvan Cournoyer (NHL - Montreal Canadiens)
Orland Kurtenbach (NHL - Vancouver Canucks)
Boston vs. Philadelphia (NHL)
Toronto vs. Minnesota (NHL)
New York vs. Chicago (NHL)
Dick Butkus - (NFL - Chicago Bears)
Joe Namath - (NFL - New York Jets)
Jim Plunkett - (NFL - New England Patriots)
1972:
Pete Rose (MLB - Cincinnati Reds)
I will continue to keep you posted.
"LP"
***************
from "JJ"--1 January 2005:

Here you go, done with the 4 digit number on the box or can:
The following are the 500-piece boxes:
1470 B. ORR (WHITE JERSEY)     HOCKEY
1470A B. ORR (BLACK JERSEY)     HOCKEY
1471 D. SANDERSON              HOCKEY
1472 B. HULL (WHITE JERSEY)     HOCKEY
1473 P. ESPOSITO (BLACK JERSEY)     HOCKEY
       P. Esposito (Black Jersey) Hockey:
       The jersey is white, not black.
       Puzzle size is 16" x 20" (1971)
    According to "GT", 1473 is a white jersey and 1473A is a black jersey.
1474 J. McKENZIE              HOCKEY
1475 J. NAMATH              FOOTBALL
1476 R. GABRIEL              FOOTBALL
1477 D. BUTKUS              FOOTBALL
1478 G. UNGER              HOCKEY
1479 T. ESPOSITO              HOCKEY
1480 K. HODGE              HOCKEY
1481 ALCINDOR / REED     BASKETBALL
1482 FRAZIER / MARAVICH     BASKETBALL
1483 FRAZIER / WEST     BASKETBALL
1484 W. FRAZIER     BASKETBALL
1485 W. CHAMBERLAIN     BASKETBALL
1486
1487 J. HAVLICEK     BASKETBALL
1488
1489
1490
1491 R. GILBERT              HOCKEY
1492 B. HULL (RED JERSEY)     HOCKEY
1492 D. JONES              FOOTBALL
(The 1972 catalogue lists # 1492 as Deacon Jones; I own Bobby Hull (red jersey), and 1492 is on the side of the box.)
1493 B. PARK              HOCKEY
1494 JABBAR / CHAMBERLAIN     BASKETBALL
1700
1701 J. PLUNKETT           FOOTBALL
1702 E. BANKS           BASEBALL
1703
1704
1705
1706
1707
1708
1709
1710
1711 BOSTON vs PHILADELPHIA     HOCKEY
1712 CHICAGO vs MONTREAL     HOCKEY
1713 PHILADELPHIA vs ST. LOUIS     HOCKEY
1714 PITTSBURGH vs NEW YORK     HOCKEY
1715 CHICAGO vs NEW YORK     HOCKEY
1716 TORONTO vs MINNESOTA     HOCKEY
1717
1718
1719
1720
1721 L. NANNE        HOCKEY
1722 P. ROSE        BASEBALL
1723 J. BENCH        BASEBALL
1724
1725
1726 W. MAYS        BASEBALL
1727 T. SEAVER        BASEBALL
1728 C. YASTRZEMSKI        BASEBALL
1729
1730
1731 S. JURGENSON        FOOTBALL
1732 R. STAUBACH        FOOTBALL
1733 L. DAWSON        FOOTBALL
1734 G. LANDRY        FOOTBALL
1735 D. LAMONICA        FOOTBALL
1736 T. BRADSHAW        FOOTBALL
1737 J. UNITAS        FOOTBALL
1738
1739
1740
1741 F. MAHOVLICH        HOCKEY
1742 D. TALLON        HOCKEY
1743 Y. COURNOYER        HOCKEY
1744 O. KURTENBACH        HOCKEY
1745
1753 B. BAKER ( race car driver, made in 1973. Have also seen a "Richard Petty", was unable to get the number)
The following are the 300-piece "CANS"

1800
1801 B. ORR (black jersey)   Hockey
1802 P. ESPOSITO (black jersey)    Hockey
1803 JIM PLUNKETT    Football [thanks to "GT"]
1804 D. BUTKUS       Football
1805 ROMAN GABRIEL, 1972      Football [thanks to "PTH"]
1806
1807 G. UNGER      Hockey
1808 R. GILBERT      Hockey
1809 T. ESPOSITO      Hockey
1810 CHICAGO vs NEW YORK      Hockey

1811 #1811 Greg Landry of Detroit Scrambles Against the Blitzing Minnesota Line, Led by Winston.(1972) Size approximately: 11 1/2" x 17 1/2" [sent in by "BB"]
1812 T. BRADSHAW        FOOTBALL
1813 BOSTON vs PHILADELPHIA     HOCKEY
1814 CHICAGO vs MONTREAL     HOCKEY
1815 PITTSBURGH vs NEW YORK     HOCKEY
1831 STEELERS vs COWBOYS     FOOTBALL [thanks to "GT"]

These "cans" have no 4-digit number.:

P. ESPOSITO   (white jersey) Hockey
K. HODGE   Hockey
C. YASTRZEMSKI   Baseball
P. ROSE   Baseball
J. HAVLICEK   Basketball [thanks to "GT"]
R. STAUBACH   Football [thanks to "GT"]
TORONTO vs MINNESOTA   NHL
JOHNNY BENCH, 1974   Baseball [thanks to "PTH"]

The following are puzzles I know exist:

BOBBY ORR (LIFE-SIZE) ( BOX )
BOBBY ORR (WHITE JERSEY) ( CAN )
BOBBY HULL ( CAN )
P. ESPOSITO (WHITE JERSEY) ( BOX )

This list has been compiled over the last 5 years from the internet and a copy of the 1972 "AMERICAN PUBLISHING CORP." catalogue.

There are also "pin-backs" that match the "cans", as well as un-cut puzzles sold as posters.

"JJ"
***************
from Jim McW--2 January 2005:
Thanks for sending in the additional information. Anyone who can provide some of the missing numbers (if any) or any other information, please write to us.
Can anyone provide more information?
Thanks,
Jim McW
***************
Respond (note this inquiry number) at puzzlehistory.com's mail center.

HALLMARK SPRINGBOK AFL TEAM SERIES, circa 1970

We believe all these were issued 1970, with 100 pieces

4501 Baltimore Colts 1970, 100 pcs
4502 Cleveland Browns 1970, 100 pcs
4503 New York Jets 1970, 100 pcs
4504 Chicago Bears 1970, 100 pcs
4505 Los Angeles Rams 1970, 100 pcs
4506 Minnesota Vikings 1970, 100 pcs
4507 New York Giants 1970, 100 pcs
4508 Green Bay Packers 1970, 100 pcs
4509 Houston Oilers 1970, 100 pcs
4510 Kansas City Chiefs 1970, 100 pcs
4511 Oakland Raiders 1970, 100 pcs
4512 Dallas Cowboys 1970, 100 pcs
4513 Detroit Lions 1970, 100 pcs
4514 St. Louis Cardinals 1970, 100 pcs
4515 San Francisco 49ers 1970, 100 pcs
4516 San Diego Chargers 1970, 100 pcs
4517 New England Patriots 1970, 100 pcs
4518 Buffalo Bills 1970, 100 pcs
4519 Cincinatti Bengals 1970, 100 pcs
4520 Denver Broncos 1970, 100 pcs
4521 Miami Dolphins 1970, 100 pcs
4522 Pittsburgh Steelers 1970, 100 pcs
4523 Atlanta Falcons 1970, 100 pcs
4524 New Orleans Saints 1970, 100 pcs
4526 Washington Redskins 1970, 100 pcs

BUFFALO GAMES SPORTSTM Series
" Dallas Cowboys "	" Detroit Lions "
" Houston Oilers " [no image available]	" Miami Dolphins " [no image available]
" Arizona Cardinals " [no image available]	" San Francisco 49ers " [BGI?]
" Tennessee Vols "

Other Sports Puzzles
"Winter Pals"
Winter Sport Scene from ABC Wide World of Sports© ABC-TVTM	Baseball Moment from ABC Wide World of Sports© ABC-TVTM
"Skiing on ABC" Skiing Scene from ABC Wide World of Sports© 1977 ABC-TVTM	"Baseball on ABC"[Another picture] Baseball Moment from ABC Wide World of Sports© ABC-TVTM
"The Rookie", by Norman Rockwell, FINKTM[see no 312 on Page 22] "Bottom of the Sixth", by Norman Rockwell, FINKTM "The Dugout", by Norman Rockwell, FINKTM "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", NORDEVCOTM "Yankee Stadium", 3D, by HASBROTM "Lou Gehrig", COLORFORMSTM, U.S.P.S.TM "Dodgers", 24-piece promotional puzzle (picture of stadium) "The Babe", HALLMARK SPRINGBOKTM, PZL2412 [see no 153 on Page 11] "Play Ball", HALLMARK SPRINGBOKTM, PZL 4504 "Hats Off to the Major Leagues", HALLMARK SPRINGBOKTM, PZL 6180 "The Old Ball Game", HALLMARK SPRINGBOKTM, PZL 4463 "Casey Strikes Out", TUCO [ 1950's ] "ABC Wide World of Sports"(Baseball), TUCO [ 1960's? ] "Fenway Park", by FX SCHMIDTM "Play Ball", by NORDEVCOTM "Baseball Trivia" by NORDEVCOTM "Toys In The Attic", by SUNSOUTTM "Baseball Memories", by MASTERPIECESTM "Sports History", by WHITE MOUNTAINTM "Taking It to the Hoop", Terry Rose Sports Original, Poster Size Sports Jigsaw Puzzle, PSI, IncTM "Sports Illustrated's The Best 18 Golf Holes in America", a pre-Hallmark Springbok, 1966.

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