Antique Jigsaw Puzzles

We were recently contacted by Peter Pluntky through this website. He shared some interesting information about Antique Jigsaw Puzzles. He mentioned that he had in his possession, puzzles that dated back to the 1810-1820's. Well, he got my attention there! 

I had to decide whether this puzzle page title was going to be vintage or antique jigsaw puzzles.  So the understanding is: anything 50 to 100 years old is vintage and anything 100 years old or older is considered an antique. Take a look at the following image, then read the history below it.

Antique Puzzle #1

”Le depart” ”Augereau au pont d´Arcole” ”Mort du P. Louis de Prusse” ”La benediction paternel” ”L´innocence reconnue” ”L´amour et la qui vous guete”

Six Puzzles in the Original Box

  • Estimated date: Very early c 1810-1820's
  • Probably of French manufacturing c 1815-1820
  • Box of cardboard with lid of glass partly painted in red  
  • Six master cards
  • Six puzzles of embossed  cardboard, all with surface in silver
  • Size 110 x 80 mm. or  4.33" x 3.15"
  • Each puzzle is 13 pieces when complete

Content in the box and details:

  1. ”Le depart” (five pcs. missing)
  2. ”Augereau au pont d´Arcole” ( three pcs. missing) Charles P.F. Augereau was a French marchal born in 1757 and died in 1816. The battle at Pont d´Arcole took place in 1796.
  3. ”Mort du P. Louis de Prusse” (complete). Louis Ferdinand of Prussia was born in 1772 and was killed at the battle of Saalfeld in 1806.
  4. ”La benediction paternel” (ten pcs. missing)
  5. ”L´innocence reconnue” (complete)
  6. ”L´amour et la qui vous guete” (three pcs. missing)

The romantic puzzles might refer to the medevial couple Abélard Heloise seen in a Biedermaier view (dressed in typical 1800-1820s style.)

Complete = 78 pcs. (21 pcs. missing). Now 57 pcs.

”Le depart” ”Augereau au pont d´Arcole” ”Mort du P. Louis de Prusse” ”La benediction paternel” ”L´innocence reconnue” ”L´amour et la qui vous guete”
”Le depart” ”Augereau au pont d´Arcole” ”Mort du P. Louis de Prusse” ”La benediction paternel” ”L´innocence reconnue” ”L´amour et la qui vous guete”

About Peter Pluntky

Pluntky-Antique-jigsaw-puzzles

I am not a puzzle collector but I like old paper like cards, advertising, books and everything about toys and children's games, bicycles etc. Maybe I can call myself an expert after 50 years of collecting.

I have had these puzzle for some 15-20 years and always tried to find out more. Now it all started with a Swedish collector Per- Martin Andersson who contacted me about an English puzzle he was curious about.

I have written some books and I am now working with a project I call: "Novelty cards 1790 - 1970"

https://www.pluntky.se.  

Stockholm, Sweden

peter@pluntky.se

I am an expert in technical antiques and children's history including toy, games etc. Also, I am a specialist in the history of the bicycle. I wrote some books about toys, games etc. A very special and exclusive book about advertising signs: example: enamel and tinplate named "Tunga varumärken" (Heavy brands, includes English summary).  

Recently, I published  a book about everything around the bicycle in bygone days "Velocipediana". Now I am working with a project "Novelty cards 1790 - 1970". It's about all kinds of very odd cards (mechanical, look through, optical etc.)

I also founded the Stockholm toy museum and participated for 24 years in the Swedish television version of "The antique road show".

I worked for the Swedish chamber of commerce with valuations etc. I've written articles for magazines etc.

Antique Puzzle #2

Early Swedish Puzzle - Samuel Martin

"Biedermaier" puzzle - Samuel Martin puzzle c 1770-1779

Samuel Martin was the younger brother to the artist Elias Martin, who became quite famous internationally for his paintings. Elias Martin moved to London in 1768 and stayed there for some years.

He probably met John Spilsbury (1739 - 69) or saw his jigsaw puzzles. (first puzzle is a map of Europe 1766).
Samuel-Martin-Biedermaier-jigsaw-puzzle
Samuel-Martin-Biedermaier-jigsaw-puzzle
Samuel-Martin-Biedermaier-jigsaw-puzzle

Elias Martin probably told his brother Samuel about the puzzles and around 1770 Samuel started manufacturing puzzles in Stockholm. He sometimes used his brother's engravings like this one above.

Samuel was a bookbinder and copperprinter. One of his puzzles is a map of Stockholm.

The above engraving shows a view over the old town in Stockholm. The puzzle has some text at the bottom.

It reads (translated): ”To mr director and knight Meyer this view is dedicated, your humble servant Elias Martin. View of Stockholm. Nr. 2 from Martin's school”

All Samuel's puzzles are placed in a flat tray like box with sliding lid to keep the puzzles steady. Inside is a printed sticker: ”Samuel Martin Bookbinder (and added in ink) Lives in Regeringsgatan (Regent street) house nr. 74”

This puzzle is missing some pieces as is the engraving which is hand coloured.

Size (box): 290 x 210 x 17 mm (11.42" x 8.27" x .67")

There might be a dozen puzzles still preserved from Samuel Martin (most in museum's collections.)

For more information search Elias Martin and  Samuel Martin on the internet.

See more fabulous antique items in Mr. Pluntky's collection: CLICK HERE and scroll down the page.

Benevolent Confraternity of Dissectologists

Mr. Pluntky mentioned his connection with  Martin above and here is the information he provided to us for those who are interested in more research on these and other antique jigsaw puzzles. Please note there is a fee to see membership content and they accept either PayPal and/or a Sterling cheque.

There's More To Jigsaw Puzzles Than Pieces Book by Linda Richard. A compilation of 50+ jigsaw puzzle related topics, tips and tricks written in conversational format for easy, light reading.There's More To Jigsaw Puzzles Than Pieces Book by Linda Richard. A compilation of 50+ jigsaw puzzle related topics, tips and tricks written in conversational format for easy, light reading. Click Here
AMAZON-STORE-Banner

We have collected a massive list of jigsaw puzzles in numerous categories on our Amazon Store link. It's a quick way to browse most current puzzles and/or specific seasons, accessories and themes. Makes for a terrific one-stop jigsaw puzzle gift giving shopping centre. CLICK HERE

You may like these Jigsaw Puzzles

Ceaco Classic Vintage Christmas Diner Jigsaw Puzzle (1000 Piece)
EuroGraphics Vintage Christmas Cards Puzzle (1000 Piece)
Re-marks Vintage Season's Greetings 1000 Piece Puzzle
White Mountain Puzzles Vintage Toys - 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
>F.X. Schmid 356 Piece Round Puzzle ~ "Dreaming of Christmas" Vintage - 1994