BON TON Magazine Cover 1903 Puzzle 
by Guest Writer Roberta Shore

We invite you to read Roberta Shore's review on the following jigsaw puzzle. Since she has discovered the advantages of jigsaw puzzling, she has reviewed/journaled several that will be available on this website.  

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BON TON Magazine Cover 1903 Jigsaw Puzzle Piatnik Ribbon Cut 1000 pieces Finished Dimension: 26.7” x 18.8”

BON TON Magazine Cover 1903 Puzzle - Roberta's Review

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BON TON Magazine Cover 1903 Jigsaw Puzzle Piatnik Ribbon Cut 1000 pieces Finished Dimension: 26.7” x 18.8”

BON TON Magazine Cover 1903 Jigsaw Puzzle

Piatnik

Ribbon Cut
1000 pieces
Finished Dimension: 26.7” x 18.8”

My Confident Newbie Difficulty rating: Tricky Hard 

Tricky Hard, you might ask? Well, not hard in the way a “busy” puzzle is, when pieces with multiple colors make it difficult to know where they will go in the puzzle. For this beautiful illustration, once carefully sorted, where the pieces go is quite clear. Tricky, but clear. (See more in “Construction”.)

Quality: I knew from the moment I saw this puzzle, I would want to do it. This is my favorite kind of puzzle; I truly enjoy piecing large areas of similar color. Despite “tricky”, in that regard it did not disappoint. There were, however, some quality issues that detracted from the ultimate enjoyment. Loose piece fit - the worst I’ve seen so far. Even 2 pieces fell apart when trying to pick them up. False fits - I found them throughout the puzzle. Lesser things were noticeable puzzle dust and an overly large box which held only the sealed plastic bag of pieces; there was no poster. Color match of the full box top picture to the pieces was fine. For the pieces themselves — they were great! Practically matte finish, all the traditional shapes were present, but the vast majority were the 2 ins / 2 outs variety. None of them were together uncut or in any way damaged, and none were missing.

Getting started: Find the edge pieces and sort by color. Another benefit of puzzles with few colors — it does cut down on my least favorite puzzling chore. Sorting — I do it painstakingly for every puzzle because it makes the construction phase so much more satisfying. I even sub-sort the initial sorting to pull out objects or color variations. For this puzzle, I did all the sorting while finding the edge pieces. That included red, brown, blue, blue with white, half blue / half white, each style of lettering, the face, a very handy row of red, gray and blue pieces, and the distinguishable colors of the background.

Construction: Because the frame would offer very little color information and a big chance for false fits, I did not build it first. I laid out all the red pieces by color and shape. Starting with that handy row mentioned above, I put the lady together from skirt bottom to face, adorned her with hat, gloves and muff; she was fashionably ready for Fall, 1903. I filled in the darkest of the background pieces surrounding her. Then, I found the frame pieces that went along that part of the bottom edge, those with the large white “S”, and the two with the small bannered text on the right side. Next, I pieced together all the text and placed it where it might go. I added the row above BON TON and to that, more frame pieces.

I admit it, most of the rest of the construction was pretty tricky. The left hand blue column - ugh! All those little bugs and intricate details. Thing is I loved every minute of the hours it took. Eventually, I was also able to build the inside frames (a line around the entire illustration, and a double line around the central feature) with the sorted pieces. With that, the remaining edge pieces could go where they belonged!

The trickiest part came last. The background - oh boy. So many variations in tone and color not seen at first glance. I tried to sort them all out by color and shape, yes, TRICKY! For one thing, as previously stated, most of them were the same shape. I was often reduced to finding pieces by the shape of tabs and holes. Then the color — this was not like doing a gradient puzzle — the color changed midstream everywhere. Very little of it is actually “white”. Yet again, I was having fun! For me, every piece I finally place is like a reward. I’ve done “busy”, it takes me no less time. More work than fun, and truly less joyful - I know there are a lot of puzzlers with an opposite view. I so appreciate that puzzling offers personal choice.

Conclusion: I know I said this puzzle was tricky hard. It did offer challenges along the way, but more in time and patience than in complicated design. And, I’m slow, my hours might be your minutes. All I know is I had fun, and for the time I spent puzzling my mind was clear and I was calm. However that happens, it’s a gift.

My grades: Quality. B+, Fun Factor: A

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About: Piatnik:

A Legacy of Austrian Jigsaw Puzzle Excellence

Introduction: Piatnik, an Austrian jigsaw puzzle manufacturing company based in Vienna, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1824 by Anton Moser. With its headquarters still located in Vienna, Piatnik has become synonymous with high-quality jigsaw puzzles that captivate puzzlers worldwide. In this article, we will delve into the remarkable journey of Piatnik, its commitment to excellence, and its contributions to the world of jigsaw puzzles.

A Historic Legacy: Piatnik's roots can be traced back to the early 19th century when Anton Moser established the company in Vienna. From its inception, Piatnik aimed to create puzzles of exceptional quality, combining craftsmanship, artistic design, and innovative production techniques. Piatnik's commitment to excellence quickly established it as a prominent player in the puzzle manufacturing industry.

Unparalleled Craftsmanship: Piatnik is renowned for its meticulous attention to detail and dedication to producing puzzles of the highest quality. Each puzzle is crafted with precision, using durable materials and state-of-the-art printing techniques to ensure vibrant colors, sharp images, and seamless interlocking pieces. Puzzlers can expect a satisfying and immersive puzzling experience with every Piatnik puzzle they assemble.

A Wide Range of Themes and Designs: Piatnik offers a diverse range of jigsaw puzzles that cater to various interests and preferences. Their puzzle catalog encompasses a wide array of themes, including landscapes, cityscapes, famous artworks, animals, and more. Piatnik collaborates with renowned artists and photographers to bring their captivating imagery to life in puzzle form. This ensures that there is a Piatnik puzzle for every puzzler, regardless of their personal taste.

Historical and Cultural References: Piatnik takes pride in celebrating Austria's rich cultural heritage by incorporating historical and cultural references into their puzzle designs. They offer puzzles featuring famous landmarks, traditional costumes, historic events, and iconic symbols associated with Austria and its neighboring regions. Assembling these puzzles allows puzzlers to immerse themselves in the history and cultural richness of the region.

Puzzles for All Ages and Skill Levels: Piatnik recognizes that jigsaw puzzles can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages and skill levels. Their puzzle collection includes various piece counts, ranging from small puzzles suitable for children to complex and challenging puzzles for experienced adult puzzlers. Piatnik ensures that everyone, from beginners to seasoned enthusiasts, can find a puzzle that suits their abilities and provides an engaging and fulfilling experience.

Attention to Environmental Sustainability: In addition to their commitment to quality, Piatnik is also conscious of environmental sustainability. They actively pursue eco-friendly practices, using responsibly sourced materials and adopting environmentally conscious manufacturing processes. Piatnik's dedication to sustainability ensures that their puzzles can be enjoyed guilt-free, knowing that they are making a positive impact on the environment.

Piatnik's Enduring Legacy: With nearly two centuries of experience in the puzzle industry, Piatnik has established a reputation for excellence and innovation. Their commitment to craftsmanship, attention to detail, and diverse range of puzzle themes have made them a trusted choice for puzzlers worldwide. Piatnik puzzles are a testament to the company's enduring legacy and their ability to create puzzles that capture the imagination and bring joy to puzzle enthusiasts.

Conclusion: Piatnik's history as an Austrian jigsaw puzzle manufacturing company based in Vienna is a testament to their dedication to quality and innovation. From their humble beginnings in 1824 to their continued commitment to craftsmanship and excellence, Piatnik has left an indelible mark on the puzzle industry. Puzzlers can expect nothing but the finest jigsaw puzzles from Piatnik, offering captivating imagery, seamless interlocking pieces, and a rewarding puzzling experience. As you embark on your next jigsaw puzzle adventure, consider exploring the exceptional puzzles created by Piatnik, a company with a storied legacy and a commitment to bringing joy to puzzle enthusiasts around the globe.

(ChatGPT, personal communication, June 20, 2023)