Jigsaw Puzzles

The First Dissected Maps: In the 1760s, London mapmaker and engraver John Spilsbury began making what he called dissected maps. He mounted printed maps onto thin wooden boards and cut them into pieces along geographical boundaries. The idea was to help children learn geography by putting the maps back together. These early puzzles were handmade and relatively expensive, so they were primarily purchased by families who could afford educational toys of this kind.

A Growing Interest: Spilsbury's idea caught on, and he went on to produce dissected maps showing different parts of the world. Other mapmakers and publishers eventually began making their own versions, helping the idea spread beyond its original audience. By the late 18th century, dissected maps had become an established type of educational toy in Britain. What began as a clever way to teach geography was gradually developing into a form of entertainment in its own right.

The Evolution of the Jigsaw Puzzle: Those early dissected maps were quite different from the jigsaw puzzles we're familiar with today. Instead of the interlocking tabs and notches we usually see, the pieces were cut along geographical boundaries and simply fitted together. You needed to recognize the shapes and locations of the different regions to complete the map. Over time, puzzle makers began experimenting with other subjects and more complicated cutting patterns, eventually developing the interlocking pieces that became a familiar feature of modern jigsaw puzzles.

John Spilsbury set out to make learning geography a little more interesting. More than 250 years later, we're still putting pieces together, although most of us aren't studying for a geography lesson.

The Great Depression Puzzle Boom: The Great Depression might seem like an unlikely time for jigsaw puzzles to become enormously popular, but that's exactly what happened. During the early 1930s, Americans were buying puzzles in remarkable numbers, with historical estimates suggesting sales reached around 10 million per week at their peak in 1933. Puzzles offered an affordable way to pass the time, and they were something friends and families could enjoy together. When money was tight, an evening spent working on a puzzle could provide hours of entertainment without costing very much.

Cardboard and Wooden Puzzles: Cardboard puzzles were especially popular during the Depression because they could be produced inexpensively and sold at prices more people could afford. Wooden puzzles were still available, though, including beautifully crafted examples with unusual piece shapes and intricate cutting patterns. Some featured what collectors call whimsy pieces, shaped like animals, people, or familiar objects. Companies such as Par Puzzles became known for their high-quality wooden designs, while later makers, including Stave Puzzles, carried on the tradition of handcrafted wooden jigsaws. Today, many of these puzzles are sought after by collectors.

The Puzzle Revival of 2020: Jigsaw puzzles experienced another surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. With people spending more time at home, many turned to puzzles as a way to relax, stay occupied, and take a break from their screens. Some manufacturers reported dramatic increases in demand, and certain puzzles became surprisingly difficult to find. It's interesting that an activity with roots going back more than 250 years could still provide so much enjoyment during a time when nearly everything else seemed to be changing.

In 1933, at the depth of the Depression, an estimated 10 million jigsaw puzzles were sold in America every week. The puzzle has always known when it is needed.

Something for Every Collector: There are plenty of ways to approach collecting jigsaw puzzles, and what interests one collector might be completely different from what appeals to another. Some people enjoy tracking down antique and vintage puzzles, particularly those with unusual artwork or an interesting history. Others prefer modern wooden puzzles, with their intricate cutting patterns and clever designs. And, of course, there's nothing wrong with simply collecting puzzles because you like the pictures and enjoy putting them together. That's a perfectly good reason in my book.

Antique and Vintage Puzzles: Antique jigsaw puzzles can be fascinating little pieces of history, especially the early dissected maps made during the 18th and 19th centuries. Finding one in good condition can be difficult, particularly if you're looking for an example with all its original pieces and packaging. When considering an older puzzle, it's worth paying attention to its condition, completeness, and whether there's any information about who made it. Missing pieces, damaged artwork, and worn boxes can affect its value, although rarity and historical significance also play an important part.

Modern Wooden Puzzles: If you're interested in modern wooden jigsaw puzzles, Stave Puzzles in Vermont is a name worth knowing. They've been making handcrafted puzzles since 1974 and are particularly well known for their unusual piece shapes, intricate cutting patterns, and clever tricks that can make solving them more challenging than you might expect. They're certainly not inexpensive, but there's a great deal of craftsmanship involved. Even if you're not planning to buy one, they're interesting examples of just how creative puzzle making can be.

Some puzzles are worth keeping because of their history, some because of their craftsmanship, and some simply because you enjoyed putting them together. I think there's room for all three in a good collection.