Box Styles

Tuco Box Styles

Click on small images to see larger images.
Click on the "BACK" button to return.
ESCAPE FROM FRAMES

You can usually get an approximate dating on a Tuco puzzle by comparing your puzzle box with the pictures on the "TUCO Box Styles" pages. Additional clues for dating puzzles may be included in the text.
NEW! We have added a list of TUCO puzzle titles, courtesy of Chris McCann.
It includes all known titles for McCann Box Codes LG01-30 and SM01-38, SM61-65.
TUCO Titles (text only)
TUCO Titles (Box Codes illustrated)

SM 01 (McCann Code), 1932.
(the first TUCO box design).

LG 01 (McCann Code), Christmas 1932.

SM 02 (McCann Code), Christmas 1932.
Shown are the face, the insert, and the bottom.

LG 02 (McCann Code), 1933.	SM 03 (McCann Code), 1933.
LG 03 (McCann Code), 1933.	SM 04 (McCann Code), 1933.
LG 04 (McCann Code), 1933 or 1934.	SM 05 (McCann Code), 1933. ( much like SM 04, but "TUCO PICTURE PUZZLE", instead of "ART PICTURE PUZZLE" ).
LG 05 (McCann Code), 1933 or 1934.	SM 06 (McCann Code), 1933.
LG 06 (McCann Code), Christmas 1933.	Box Styles Page 1 (with larger pictures)

LG 07 (McCann Code), 1934-1935.	SM 07 (McCann Code), 1934-1935.
LG 08 (McCann Code), Christmas 1934.	SM 08 (McCann Code), Christmas 1934.
LG 09 (McCann Code), 1935-37.
LG 10 (McCann Code), 1935-38.	SM 10 (McCann Code), 1936-1937.
LG 11 (McCann Code), 1938 (to 1939?).	SM 11 (McCann Code), 1933 (to 1934?).
LG 12 (McCann Code), 1940.
LG 13 (McCann Code), 1938-1940.	Box Styles Page 2 (with larger pictures)

LG 14 (McCann Code), 1941-1942.
LG 15 (McCann Code), 1943-1946.
LG 16 (McCann Code), 1941-1942. [According to one knowledgeable source, LG16 pre-dates LG15.]	Box Styles Page 3 (with larger images)

LG 18 (McCann Code), 1952-1953.	SM 13 (McCann Code), 1948.
"Life's Big Moment" LG 19S (McCann Code), 1947-48. [Small guide]	SM 14 (McCann Code), 1949.
" Spring in Blossom Time " LG 19L (McCann Code), 1947-48. [Large guide]	SM 13 - 17 (McCann Code) can be distinguished thus: SM 13 has no stock number, and the title is in black letters. SM 14 has no stock number, and the title is in red letters. SM 15 has stock number 2508 at top of rear panel. The title is in large caps. Artist is identified. SM 16 also has stock no. at top, but title is in smaller letters. Artist is identified. SM 17 has stock number 2508 at bottom of rear panel. [McW- The company name, TUCO, below the picture, appears larger in SM 15 than in 14, 16, or 17; it appears smallest on SM 13.]
LG 20S (McCann Code), 1946. NOTE: Some puzzles in this series have very large guide pictures. [LG20L, 1947-48]	SM 15 (McCann Code), 1950.
LG 21 (McCann Code), 1948. There is no stock number. The logo on the end of the box is vertical. The title is in same color as the box.	" Lilac Time " SM 16 (McCann Code), 1950.
Picture not available. LG 22 (McCann Code), 1949. Similar to LG 21, but the title is in black.	" Haunt of the Moose " SM 17 (McCann Code), 1951.
Picture not available. LG 23 (McCann Code), 1950. Stock number 3905. The logo on the end of the box is vertical. Box colors include Red, Blue and Green.
Picture not available. LG 24 (McCann Code), 1951. Stock number 3905. The logo on the end of the box is slanted. The word "interlocking" may be overeprinted on the box.
Picture not available. LG 25 (McCann Code), 1952-54. Stock number 4905. The word "interlocking" may be overeprinted on the box.	SM 20(McCann Code), 1946-47.
LG 26 (McCann Code), 1948.	SM 21 (McCann Code), 1947-48.
LG 27 (McCann Code), 1952. Stock number 4905B. Purple box with picture printed on the box.
	"Mischievous Kittens" SM 25 (McCann Code), 1953-54.
	SM 26 (McCann Code), 1951-52.
LG 30 (McCann Code), 1953.
	SM 28 (McCann Code), 1952.

LG40 (McCann Code), 1957.

Dubl-Thik

SM 31 (McCann Code), 1940-41. ["A Flowered Terrace"]

SM 35 (McCann Code), 1940-41.	" Autumn Leaves Are Falling " SM 36 (McCann Code), 1941.
	SM 38 (McCann Code), 1941.

Not Available.
SM 39 (McCann Code), 1955-56.

Not Available.
SM 40 (McCann Code), 1957.

HI ART SERIES, 1957
[Courtesy of Chris McCann]

SM 61 (McCann Code), 1957.
[Stock No. 3900; "Over 250 pieces"; No Series Number; No Date: Blue Box]

"Ermine-Clad Mt. Baker"
Give Us This Day
Hold Him Son
On The Trail
Panorama Americana
Three of a Kind
Winging on High
With Malice Towards None

SM 62 (McCann Code), 1957.
[No Stock Number; Series 2; Blue Box]

"Entry Into Port"
A Garden of Old Fashioned Flowers
Lift Up Your Hearts
Radiant Springtime
Rocky Point California
Torrey Pines
Where the Big Ones Wait
Winter Woodland Hues

SM 63 (McCann Code), 1957.
[Stock No 3950; Series 3; Green Box]

"Autumn Beckons"
Beautiful Elm Street
December Fun
A Reel Thrill
Splendors of Lake St. Mary
Swift Waters of the Rapids
Up and Away
White Sails & Blue Waters

SM 64 (McCann Code), 1957.
[Stock No 3950; Series 4; Red Box]

"The Glory That is Autumn"
By the Azure Sea
Highway to Happiness
Lilac Time
Nature's Fairyland
Off an Island Shore
Road of Thoroughbreds
Sentinel of the Sea

SM 65 (McCann Code), 1957.
[Stock No 3950; Series 5; Green Box]

"Awaiting the Call"
Autumn and Waterfalls
Beautiful Lake Louise
Cruising Down the River
Hold Him Son
A Pre Season Workout
Road Beside the River
Wingin' In

McCann box codes copyright 1989, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2004 by Chris McCann.
Please give proper credit when using these box code design references in any publication.

The dating above is based (loosely) on the work of Chris McCann and Sterling Mason. Any errors are probably mine. Any confirmation, additional titles, or other evidence should be sent to one of the addresses below or to Chris McCann, at the address given on the page about his wonderful book,Master Pieces: the Art History of Jigsaw Puzzles.. Jim McW

Tuco Puzzle Pieces
In general, interlocking pieces only appeared circa early 1950's. A knowledgeable collector sent in these findings: NUMBER OF PIECES: Miniature Childrens' puzzles appear with 30 pieces Miniature puzzles appear with 88 Old Interlocking Christmas puzzles appear with 104 Old Interlocking Childrens puzzles appear with 104 Art puzzles appear with 192 Non-interlocking TUCO'S normally appear with 204, or 320, or 357pieces, but sometimes occur with 304 or 308 pieces [rare].

SEE the TUCO Puzzle Site --- Much information and many images. Non-interlocking Tuco only.

BACK to last TOUR Page

Next TOUR Page