Arrow Games, "The Eseex" round, 270pcs

2018.03.04 - date completed
Arrow Games (UK)
"The Essex"
Round Jig Saw Puzzle
270 pieces

NOTE: Essex is a county in the East of England immediately north-east of London and is one of the home counties. It borders the counties of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent across the estuary of the River Thames to the south and London to the south-west. The county town is Chelmsford, which is the only city in the county.

Essex occupies the eastern part of the former Kingdom of Essex, which subsequently united with the other Anglian and Saxon kingdoms to make England a single nation state. As well as rural areas, the county also includes London Stansted Airport, the new towns of Basildon and Harlow, Lakeside Shopping Centre, the port of Tilbury and the borough of Southend-on-Sea.

King, "Thunderbirds", 100pcs

2018.03.04 - date completed
King (Holland)
"Thunderbirds" (1992 year)
100 pieces

NOTE: Thunderbirds is a British science-fiction television series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, filmed by their production company AP Films (APF) and distributed by ITC Entertainment. It was produced between 1964 and 1966 using a form of electronic marionette puppetry (dubbed "Supermarionation") combined with scale model special effects sequences. Two series were filmed, comprising a total of thirty-two 50-minute episodes; production ceased following the completion of the second series' sixth episode when Lew Grade, the Andersons' financial backer, failed in his efforts to sell the programme to American network television.

Set in the mid-2060s, Thunderbirds is a follow-up to the earlier Supermarionation productions Four Feather Falls, Supercar, Fireball XL5 and Stingray. It follows the exploits of International Rescue (IR), a life-saving organisation equipped with technologically-advanced land, sea, air and space rescue craft; these are headed by a fleet of five vehicles named the Thunderbirds and launched from IR's secret base in the Pacific Ocean. The main characters are ex-astronaut Jeff Tracy, the founder of IR, and his five adult sons, who pilot the Thunderbird machines.

Sovereign Publication Ltd, "B.R.Class 4MT No.80135", 600pcs

 

2018.03.03 - date completed
Sovereign Publication Ltd
"Sovereign Publication Ltd, "B.R.Class 4MT No.80135""
600 pieces

NOTE: The British Railways Standard Class 4 tank is a class of steam locomotive, one of the BR standard classes built during the 1950s. They were used primarily on commuter and outer suburban services.

The Works , "Steam Train, Staverton Station", 500pcs

2018.02.26 - date completed
The Works (UK)
"Steam Train, Staverton Station"
500 pieces

NOTE: Staverton railway station is situated on the South Devon Railway, a heritage railway in Devon, England. It serves the village of Staverton.

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 4575 Class is a class of 2-6-2T steam locomotives. They were designed as small mixed traffic branch locomotives, mainly used on branch lines. They were a development of Churchward's 4500 Class with larger side tanks and increased water capacity. 100 were built numbered 4575–4599 and 5500–5574. A number were fitted with auto apparatus in 1953 to enable them to run push-pull trains on South Wales lines with auto trailers. They often are referred to as Small Prairie Class tank locomotives.

Waddingtons, "Circular Jig Saw Design No. 521" circular, 500pcs

2018.02.25 - date completed
Waddingtons (UK)
"Circular Jig Saw Design No. 521" circular (1960')
Over 500 pieces

JR Puzzles, "The Thames-Clyde Express", 500pcs

25.02.2018 - date completed
JR Puzzles
"Age of Steam: The Thames-Clyde Express"
500 pieces

NOTE: The Thames–Clyde Express was a named express passenger train operating on the Midland Main Line, Settle-Carlisle Railway and the Glasgow South Western Line between London St Pancras and Glasgow St Enoch. Following the closure of St Enoch station in 1966, the service ran to Glasgow Central instead.

Gibsons, "Best in Show: RHS Chelsea Flower Show", 1000pcs

2018.02.24 - date completed
Gibsons (UK)
"Best of Show: RHS Chelsea Flower Show"
1000 pieces
https://www.rhs.org.uk/

NOTE: 100 years anniversary of RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Ten Best in Show gardens:

1. The Daily Telegraph Garden. Tom Stuart-Smith - 2006
2. The Laurent-Perrier Garden. Tom Stuart Smith - 2003
3. The Ecover Chelsea Pensioners' Garden. Julian Dowle - 2005
4. The Daily Telegraph Garden. Andy Sturgeon - 2010
5. The Brewin Dolphin Garden. Cleve West - 2012
6. 600 Days with Bradstone. Sarah Eberle - 2007
7. The Laurent-Perrier Garden. Tom Stuart-Smith - 2008
8. Hartus Conclusus. Christopher Bradley-Hole - 2004
9. The Daily Telegraph Garden. Ulf Nordfjell - 2009
10. The Daily Telegraph Garden. Designer Cleve West - 2011

• In 1912, the Garden Spring Show was cancelled in order to hold the Royal International Horticultural Exhibition, which was held at Chelsea Hospital. it was the success of this event that made RHS move the Great Spring Show to Chelsea next year.
• The Chelsea rules forbid the use of coloured sculptures. So garden gnomes have been forbidden throughout its history. One frequent exhibitor, Jekka McVicar, used to smuggle a gnome into her exhibits...
• Of the firms that exhibited at the first Show in 1913, only two are still showing: McBean's Orchids, and Blackmore and Langdon.
• The Great Marquee, which was first put up in 1951, was named in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest tent (3.5 acres). It was replaced by the current modular structure in 2000. The remains of the old tent were cut up and used to make 7000 bags, aprons, and jackets. 

Ravensburger, "The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers" circular, 1000pcs

2018.02.19 - date completed
Ravensburger (Czech Republic)
"The Lord of The Rings The Two Towers" circular 2002 year
1000 pieces

NOTE:The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a 2002 epic high fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson and based on the second volume of J. R. R. Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings. It is the second installment in The Lord of the Rings film series, preceded by The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) and concluding with The Return of the King (2003).

Falcon / Jumbo, "Ladybird", 1000pcs

2018.02.17 - date completed
Falcon / Jumbo  (Netherlands)
"Ladybird" 2009 year
1000 pieces
Classic Collection 1940'

NOTE: Take a trip down memory lane with these fantastic puzzles with vintage illustrations from Ladybird books which are known and loved the world over. For millions of  people, they bring back the golden days of childhood - learning to read, discovering the magic of books, and growing up. It is more than sixty years since the first familiar pocket sized Ladybird saw the light of day in 1940, during the second world war. Collect the Ladybird puzzles and relive your childhood!

Bits and Pieces, "Bon Voyage" shaped, 750pcs

2018.02.15 - date completed
Bits and Pieces (USA)
"Bon Voyage" 2004 year
750 pieces shaped puzzle
Illustration: Gale Pitt

NOTE: Gale Pitt has been a freelance artist since the seventies, selling her originals and licensing her pictures with a wide variety of subject matter to companies in the USA, Europe, and the Antipodes. She has been particularly successful in her work for decorative tin boxes and jigsaw puzzles. From her home in London, she has travelled to forty different countries to gather material for her work which includes ballooning, flying, fantasy, dolls, houses, gardens, cats and dogs.

B.V. Leisure, "Dresser Cats", 1008pcs

2018.02.10 - date completed
B.V Leisure (UK)
"Dresser Cats"
1008 pieces
Illustration: Ditz

NOTE: Get the edge without being on edge! The only jigsaw puzzle with all edge pieces! Where do you begin? Those old friends the EDGE pieces can't help you this time as EVERY piece has at least one straight EDGE! And LOOK OUT! There are more than four corners. Nightmare! This unique patented 1008 piece puzzle will keep even the most veteran puzzle maker busy for hours... or days! Although each piece has at least one straight edge, the unique patterns will securely interlock.

JR Deluxe, "3-D Puzzle Collection", 750pcs

 

2018.02.04 - date completed
JR Deluxe (UK)
"3-D Puzzle Collection"
750 pieces

NOTE: A stunning new puzzle challenge. Watch in wonder as your puzzle builds into an amazing 3-D Picture. Your blue and red full colour 3-D glasses are included in the box.

Tower Press, "Conway Castle", 400pcs

 

2018.01.30 - date comleted
Tower Press (UK)
"Conway Castle"
400 pieces

NOTE: Tower Press was a British jigsaw and games manufacturer, most active from the 1930s until the late 1960s when they were bought by Waddingtons in 1969. By the early 1960s they were the largest jigsaw maker in the world.

Conwy Castle (Welsh: Castell Conwy, English: Conway Castle) is a medieval fortification in Conwy, on the north coast of Wales. It was built by Edward I, during his conquest of Wales, between 1283 and 1289. Constructed as part of a wider project to create the walled town of Conwy, the combined defences cost around £15,000, a huge sum for the period. Over the next few centuries, the castle played an important part in several wars.

Winning Moves, "London 2012 Olympic Stadium", 1000pcs

2018.01.28 - date completed
Winning Moves (UK)
"London 2012 Olympic Stadium", 2012 year
1000 pieces

NOTE: Celebrate London 2012 with this 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle featuring the Olympic Park centrepiece, the Olympic Stadium. 

The London 2012 Olympic Stadium is one of the most sustainable sports venues ever built. It features low-carbon concrete, 75% less steel than other venues ans surplus gas pipes around the top. It is a visual testament to London 2012's "reduce, reuse and recycle" approach.

Lumar, "Old Timbers" wooden, 266pcs

 


2018.01.19 - date completed
Lumar (UK)
"Old Timbers"
266 pieces

NOTE: Rare quirk that picture on lid is printed in reverse

Victory, "Puppies and Birds" wooden, 52pcs

2018.01.16 - date completed
Victory (UK)
"Puppies and Birds"
52 pieces
Wooden jigsaw

Kolorbax, "Golden Arrow" wooden, 200pcs

2018.01.08 - date completed
Kolorbax (UK)
"Golden Arrow" 1940's
200 pieces
Wooden Jigsaw
Illustration: B. A Osborne

NOTE: The first photograph depicts a wooden 150-piece puzzle by Kolorbax from the original artwork by B. A Osborne. A 'Merchant Navy' class 'Pacific' No.21C1 Channel Packet is shown heading the prestigious Southern Railway's  'Golden Arrow' express of Pullman coaches. Osborne has included an aeroplane in his painting and line-side engineers add human interest.

The 'Golden Arrow' luxury service, from Victoria to Dover, began operating c1929 starting as an all-Pullman train hauled by a 4-6-0 'Lord Nelson' class locomotive or, occasionally, by a 'King Arthur' class 4-6-0. On arrival at Dover passengers were treated to a first class English Channel crossing to Calais on a specially built ferry, Canterbury, owned by the Southern Railway (SR). At Calais passengers boarded an equally prestigious French train, the 'Fleche d'Or', for the journey to Paris. By the late 1930's, however, the 'Golden Arrow' service included ordinary first and second class carriages in its formation as the interest in luxury, all Pullman travel declined. The service was terminated at the outbreak of war in 1939, but was re-introduced in 1946 when a special headboard (until 1961) was added to the front of the locomotive. This headboard was truly inspirational with a large golden arrow piercing a green circle, the latter embracing the famous words, also in gold. British and French flags, fixed to the front of the locomotive, and a horizontal Golden Arrow fixed to each side of the locomotive, added even more flair. Interestingly, artists were sometimes criticised for inverting the flags on the buffer beam.

"Elves" wooden, 32pcs

2018.01.08 - date comleted
"Elves"
32 pieces
Wooden jigsaw puzzle