Cosmic Highway 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. Cosmic Highway Puzzle Amazon link

Cosmic Highway Galison Ribbon Cut 1000 Pieces Finished Dimensions: 27” X 20”

Cosmic Highway Puzzle - Roberta's Review

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Cosmic Highway Puzzle

Galison Jigsaw Puzzles
Ribbon Cut
1000 Pieces
Finished Dimensions: 27” X 20”

My Confident Puzzler Difficulty Rating: (In time, patience and concentration) Hard

This collage is from the artist Natasha Chomko, under the moniker Post Wook. She has created “an entirely new universe with pre-existing photos”. All I can say is WOW! I had to have it. It was worthy of framing. In no way did I think it would be easy, but the areas of color in this composition were well defined. I was confident I could do it. And I did — is euphoric accomplishment too bold? Perhaps, but this took a lot of time, patience and concentration, and I was never frustrated, I was having fun. This was a memorable, almost perfect puzzling experience short of one issue . . .

Quality: One unforgivable misfortune - too many bent and damaged pieces; in all the following instances, too many to count. Galison puzzles have a white paper backing, here it was pealing. Bent pieces had to be coaxed flat. The illustration side of pieces had been split leaving a noticeable white line. Tabs were splitting requiring glue. Other quality measures were okay. The sturdy, attractive, smaller square box has only an enlarged portion of the image on the top. A full image is on the box bottom. Inside is a sealed bag of pieces that just fits the reduced box size, and a small poster. Color match of the graphics to the low sheen pieces was good, although individual pieces looked darker (i.e. the green to black). There was some puzzle dust. No pieces were together uncut and none were missing. Piece fit was acceptable but not puzzle pick up great.

Getting started: Find the edge pieces and sort by color. I spent a long time doing a very deliberate sort. Yes, I sorted out the defined areas of color: the road, the grasslands, the bushes, the water, the blu spray, the brown and green ledges, the golden rock formations, the light blue areas, the gold - orange section, the turquoise to dark blue section, the darker blue to green section, the green to black section, the medium blue section, the starry sky, solid black pieces, and trays of the different shades of pink, red, orange, yellow and dark patches of the moon. I also sorted out the moon’s outline.

Construction: Clearly I was ready for the build. I noticed some damage during the sorting, but not until I started to line up the pieces by shape, did I realize the extent of the issues. Well, too late. No way was I going to get a replacement and do that sorting again! I should also point out that the build was going to be even more difficult because, except for the edge pieces, all of the pieces were the same traditional 2 in / 2 out variety. So, basically there is one big clue, the pieces alternate from horizontal to vertical. That’s how I lined up the sorts. Otherwise, color plays an important role; looking at the shapes of tabs and posts gets tedious. I built the frame first, a tad worried about false fits in the sky sections, but that would come later. I started building from the bottom. I put in the highway to nowhere at that point, but it was a beginning. Next. I put in the outline of the moon, the water, the blue spray, and the areas between the ledges and rock formations and the moon. Next were the ledges and rock formations and the foreground areas on either side of the highway. The Cosmos awaits! Almost there! The sky was next, there were no false fits in the frame (or anywhere else). I left the moon for last on purpose, it seemed the most fitting culmination for this  extraordinary roadtrip.

Final thoughts: My sorting, which I know you might (possibly, probably, do) consider overkill, is far from my favorite part, but is my way of making the construction more rewarding. A small part of this was easy - the highway. Most of the rest went slowly but I saw enough progress to never get frustrated. To repeat, this was fun! As for all those damaged pieces - thankfully, because there was so much texture throughout the illustration, they will not show at all once framed and hung on a wall. When I first saw this impactful piece of art I was mesmerized. I keep staring at it now. It also made a super puzzle! Perhaps my copy was an unfortunate one off incident. I have done many Galison puzzles. I had no issues keeping me from purchasing more. I would still recommend checking out their varied selection.

My grades: Quality C+, Fun Factor A+

Cosmic Highway Puzzle Galison Jigsaw Puzzles Ribbon Cut 1000 Pieces Finished Dimensions: 27” X 20”
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About Galison Jigsaw Puzzles

Galison is a leading brand of jigsaw puzzles that has gained popularity among puzzle enthusiasts in recent years. The company offers a wide range of puzzle designs, from classic artworks to modern and quirky designs, and has a reputation for producing high-quality puzzles that are both challenging and enjoyable.

One of the standout features of Galison puzzles is their unique designs. The company collaborates with a range of artists and designers to create puzzles that are not only challenging but also visually stunning. For example, they have puzzles featuring colourful artworks such as "Galison Feathers" and contemporary designs like "Avian Friends". They also offer themed puzzles such as food and beverage, animals, and landscapes.

In addition to their visually appealing designs, Galison puzzles are known for their quality. The company uses thick and durable puzzle pieces made from recycled materials that are resistant to bending or breaking, making them easy to handle and assemble. The pieces fit together smoothly and accurately, ensuring that the finished puzzle looks seamless and well-crafted.

Another notable feature of Galison puzzles is their inclusivity. The company offers puzzles in a range of sizes, from 200 to 1000 pieces, allowing both novice and experienced puzzlers to find puzzles that are suited to their skill level. 

In terms of pricing, Galison puzzles are generally affordable, with prices ranging from $10 to $25 for most designs. This makes them accessible to a wide range of consumers and an attractive option for individuals looking for a fun and budget-friendly hobby.

Galison also has a strong social media presence and engages with its audience through various platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. They regularly post images of new puzzles, behind-the-scenes glimpses of their puzzle-making process, and share puzzles completed by their followers. Their social media strategy has helped them to build a loyal following of puzzle enthusiasts and has helped them to stay relevant in a competitive market.

In conclusion, Galison is a brand of jigsaw puzzles that offers high-quality, visually stunning, and affordable puzzles that are enjoyed by puzzle enthusiasts of all skill levels. Their unique designs, inclusivity, and engagement on social media have helped them to stand out in a crowded market and build a loyal following. Galison puzzles are a great choice for anyone looking for a fun and challenging puzzle-solving experience.

(ChatGPT, personal communication, June 20, 2023)