Retail Therapy 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. 

You may like this very popular New York Puzzle image Amazon link 

Retail Therapy Puzzle New York Puzzle Company Random Cut 1000 Pieces Finished Dimensions:26.625” x 19.25”

Retail Therapy Puzzle - Roberta's Review

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Retail Therapy Puzzle New York Puzzle Company Random Cut 1000 Pieces Finished Dimensions:26.625” x 19.25”

Retail Therapy Puzzle

New York Puzzle Company
Random Cut
1000 Pieces
Finished Dimensions:26.625” x 19.25”

My Confident Newbie Difficulty rating: Moderate

I really enjoyed working this puzzle. I cannot say it is easy for a couple reasons. One is a quality issue, the other, may be the random cut. Please read on . . .

Quality: Only one negative, but a big one - extreme loose piece fit. Absolutely no pieces would stay together! Otherwise, the sturdy box is small. The full illustration is on the box top. Inside was a sealed bag of pieces; there is no poster. Color match box pic to pieces was fine. There was a bit of puzzle dust. The pieces are solid, they have some sheen. None were damaged or together uncut, none were missing. There were no false fits. Random cut seems to have less chance there will be any.

Getting started: Find the edge pieces and sort by color. This random cut puzzle had an inordinate number of false edge pieces. Not unusual for random cut, but so many was a surprise. Actually I was surprised to see the random cut. The previous puzzle I did from this company was ribbon cut, and all the pieces were the same variety — the common 2 ins / 2 outs. As for the sorting, I usually sub sort out individual items. In this puzzle sorting by color was practically the same thing. I did take notice and made separate sorts of lights and darks for each color. I also sorted out the pieces that had parts of VOGUE, and the black section at the bottom. Along the way I did find the ladies hat, face, neck, shoes, gloves, and handbag.

Construction: I must note here that while sorting I decided this puzzle was going to be hard. I actually like random cut, but this was extreme. There was barely any traditionally shaped pieces. Some pieces were tiny. Many had the previously mentioned false edge. Many did not interlock. I built the frame first. It went together fairly easily and offered a lot of color information. I put together the bottom black section with the words, and the big V O G U E. Next I filled in the blue background. Because of the loose piece fit, building sections was a waste of time, but I now had a lot of places where I could build from what was already attached to the frame. It did take time, but I constantly saw progress. And I was having fun recognizing where those crazy shaped pieces could fit. So, I changed my mind. Moderate seems fair, especially if you are not familiar with random cut.

Final thoughts: My retail therapy seems to be purchasing puzzles! Peace of mind therapy is doing them! I’m glad I got this one despite the loose piece fit. I love the illustration and I’m thinking of framing it. Maybe those boxes are filled with puzzles. This is only the second puzzle I’ve pieced from this company, also a Vogue cover. The other one had loose piece fit and false fits. I have a few more in my stash. Now I’m curious to see what cut each will have. Still and all, they are highly rated. Their selection does favor vintage magazine covers, but their entire collection goes beyond that. I can recommend checking out New York Puzzle Company.

My Grades: Quality A-, Fun Factor A

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About: New York Puzzle Company, Where Art and Puzzles Unite

Introduction

The New York Puzzle Company has earned a reputation as a premier puzzle manufacturer, renowned for its commitment to quality, diverse artwork styles, and engaging puzzle collections. With a rich history and a wide range of puzzle piece counts, the New York Puzzle Company has become a favorite among puzzle enthusiasts. In this article, we delve into the history of the company, explore their artwork themes and styles, and highlight the famous artist collaborations, including their popular Mini Collection.

A Journey Through the History of the New York Puzzle Company

Founded in 2007 by two friends with a passion for jigsaw puzzles, the New York Puzzle Company quickly established itself as a leader in the industry. From its humble beginnings, the company's dedication to creating high-quality puzzles with captivating artwork propelled its growth and popularity.

Artwork Styles and Themes

One of the distinguishing features of the New York Puzzle Company is its vast array of artwork styles and themes. Catering to a wide range of interests and preferences, their puzzles showcase a diverse selection of images, ensuring there is something for everyone.

From whimsical illustrations and nostalgic vintage designs to vibrant cityscapes and stunning nature scenes, the New York Puzzle Company's artwork spans a broad spectrum of styles. Each puzzle is a work of art in itself, carefully selected to appeal to puzzle enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

Collaborations with Famous Artists and the Mini Collection

The New York Puzzle Company has collaborated with renowned artists to bring their captivating artwork to life as jigsaw puzzles. These collaborations have resulted in unique and highly sought-after puzzle collections.

One notable collection is the Mini Collection, featuring puzzles with a smaller piece count, typically ranging from 100 to 500 pieces. This collection showcases artwork from famous artists, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of their work in a more compact puzzle format. The Mini Collection offers a diverse range of artistic styles and themes to engage puzzle solvers.

Puzzle Piece Counts for Every Skill Level

The New York Puzzle Company recognizes that puzzle enthusiasts come in all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned experts. To cater to different preferences and abilities, they offer a wide range of puzzle piece counts.

For those seeking a leisurely puzzling experience or for beginners, the New York Puzzle Company offers puzzles with lower piece counts, typically ranging from 300 to 500 pieces. These puzzles provide an approachable challenge while still allowing solvers to enjoy the intricacies of the artwork.

For more experienced puzzlers looking for a greater challenge, the company offers puzzles with higher piece counts, ranging from 1,000 pieces and beyond. These puzzles require dedication, focus, and problem-solving skills, offering a rewarding and immersive experience.

Conclusion

The New York Puzzle Company has established itself as a leader in the puzzle industry, offering a wide range of high-quality puzzles with captivating artwork. With their diverse collection of artwork styles and themes, collaborations with famous artists, and various puzzle piece counts, they have something to offer every puzzle enthusiast.

Whether you're drawn to whimsical illustrations, nostalgic scenes, or vibrant cityscapes, the New York Puzzle Company provides a gateway to the joy of puzzling and the beauty of art. With each piece carefully placed, you embark on a journey of creativity, relaxation, and the satisfaction of completing a captivating work of art, piece by piece.

(ChatGPT, personal communication, June 20, 2023)