London Passage 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. London Passage Puzzle Amazon link

London Passage Puzzle Galison Ribbon Cut 1000 Pieces Finished Dimensions: 27” x 20”

London Passage Puzzle - Roberta's Review

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London Passage Puzzle Galison Ribbon Cut 1000 Pieces Finished Dimensions: 27” x 20”

London Passage Puzzle

Galison
Ribbon Cut
1000 Pieces
Finished Dimensions: 27” x 20”

My Confident Not So Newbie* Difficulty Rating: Moderate but tricky

This is a colorful, beautiful, super fun puzzle that had no quality issues. I recommend this brand.

I could stop there, but this is supposed to be a review, so I will try to elaborate. It is so much easier when there is something to complain about!

Quality: Excellent! Starting with pick up off the table tight piece fit. Loose fit has become such a common complaint it is a welcome surprise not to see see it! There were no false fits even though all the pieces were the traditional 2 in / 2 out variety. The sturdy, attractive box is relatively small; sticker closures instead of shrink wrap. A partial illustration fills the top, there is a small full one on the box bottom. Inside, the solid pieces are in a sealed plastic bag and a complete 8” x 10” picture poster is included. Color match to the pieces was fine. There was no puzzle dust. The pieces have a low sheen. None of them were damaged, none were together uncut, and none were missing.

Getting started: Find the edge pieces and sort by color. Ah - the sorting. When I first saw this illustration I loved the artwork, no question I would get it and maybe frame it. As a puzzle, it looked pretty straightforward. Each area of color was distinct. Perhaps I should have looked more closely. Admittedly, I often sort quite deliberately, not only by color, but by sub sorting out specific objects. For example, the lantern, each window, the flower boxes, etc. I got lazy about it when it came to all those ferns and flowers - they just got tossed together in trays. I paid for that laziness later!

Construction: I did recognize the lower right quadrant could be tricky, but exactly how tricky did not become apparent right away. I began by building the frame. With all that color information, the build should happen easily enough. Umm, not so much. Look at the perspectives — with a puzzle, that tends to trick the eye. I filled all of the left side up to the yellow building, then the street stones, the sky, the two darker store fronts and the solid yellow at the top of that building. With each sort I laid out the pieces in one direction. Since they were all the same shape, the better hint is the pieces alternate from vertical to horizontal. I could just turn my tray to look for what I needed. Next I pieced the brick dividers, and attached the blue windows on the right to the frame.

Then I pieced together parts of the windows in the yellow building and filled in around them where possible. I had also found the pieces that were the window box colors on the light beige building and put them in place. Those and the blue pots were some help to start putting in the flowers and greenery. That’s when it became, if not challenging, very time consuming. Finally I was down to upper stories and windows of the beige building, and much of the aforementioned quadrant. I was not leaving that for last. And yes, so many flower parts - it took time and patience! Finishing the beige building and completing the puzzle, it was as striking as I had imagined. But more than that, I had fun putting it together even through the tricky parts.

Final thoughts: This was not by any means an impossible puzzle. I was actually happy to have to work at those tricky things. It does add to the senses of accomplishment and satisfaction inherent in finishing any puzzle. I have completed several Galison puzzles - the quality is consistent. Yes, to repeat, I recommend this brand.

My grades: Quality A+, Fun Factor A+

London Passage Puzzle Galison Ribbon Cut 1000 Pieces Finished Dimensions: 27” x 20”

* On a personal note: “Not So Newbie” you wonder. Well over 15 months at this hobby, and 112 puzzles completed, perhaps I am practiced beyond Newbie now. I can only vouch for my stronger confidence level when it comes to the puzzling process and finishing puzzles I am enjoying. Oh yes, there are a few that went back in the box because they were never going to be fun. Have I gotten “better” at it? That is a subjective question and analysis at best. Puzzling is such a personal activity. Thankfully, it needn’t be compared to how anyone else does it. Am I faster? Probably, but not on purpose. It’s not a race! When I take a break and realize that my mind has been clear from worry, and feel the calmness that is left, I am just grateful for that time. My sorting technique — unique or crazy? It works for me. It’s not my favorite part, but it makes the construction progress more satisfying, more rewarding, more fun. Are the puzzles I choose less “challenging”? I say no. For me, it is all about the visual. I enjoy puzzles with large areas of similar color or design as opposed to “busy”ones. Piecing those large areas can be arduous, and take just as much time as a complicated collage, but I am drawn to that graphic presentation, be it artful, clever or humorous. Those are the ones I appreciate most when they are complete.

I know my reviews reflect my style, but I hope they offer some universal information about puzzling. One thing is for sure, it is a “FUN challenge”. (Not 2 words used together very often!) I think I might be ready to graduate to Confident Puzzler now!

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