GWR jigsaws
1927-1928 puzzles
150 pieces (approx. 15½" x 11⅝")
Windsor Castle 1927 until 1929 (Total sold 9,823)
By an unknown artist.
The box gives no indication that the puzzle is cut to a wavy oval shape. Looking across the Thames from the Eton bank, the castle is seen in a group of buildings which include the State Apartments, Round Tower, St. George's Chapel, and near the river the Theatre Royal.
Freight Train 1927 until 1930 (Total sold 10,127)
This puzzle of about 150 pieces was taken from a painting by the artist F.N.J.Moody. The 2-8-0 engine, number 2861, is shown hauling a freight train of over thirty wagons of different types. The train is passing a signal box, whilst in the far distance the end of the train can be seen still emerging from under a red bridge. The location is unknown and might be fictitious.
This puzzle was generally cut with a wavy edge all round, as seen in the first example whilst the second, sadly incomplete and poorly cut but rarer example, has straight edges. Close examination of the assembled jigsaws shows that they were divided into two vertically. Large puzzles were often split this way for ease of handling with each portion sometimes being cut by two different operators. Certainly the straight edged example has been treated in this way, having the two portions cut in markedly different styles. As puzzles tended to be cut four at a time this could also lead to the pictures on each half not lining up correctly if halves from two different cutting layers were packed together, as happened with the a 150 piece 'King George V' puzzle below.
150 pieces with wavy edges (approx. 21¾" x 8¼")
150 pieces with straight edges (approx. 22" x 8¼")
Speed 1927 until 1930 (Total sold 13,684)
Having about 150 pieces, this jigsaw features the locomotive 'Caerphilly Castle' with its number visible on the front buffer beam. The painting by an unknown artist shows the engine pulling a typical express train and is designed to create the impression of speed. The puzzle is cut to the outline of the train with the smoke trail above and has a wavy bottom edge.
The first example of the puzzle is cut very closely round the outline of the smokebox, buffer beam and lamp, and round the leading bogie wheel but the cut of the second example, whilst very similar, is a much simpler cut around the front of the engine and includes more of the background from the original print. It is very similar in this respect to the image used in advertisements promoting GWR express servicesClick or tap to see an advert from the Great Western Railway Magazine.
150 pieces (approx. 19½" x 11")
150 pieces (approx. 19½" x 11")
The Cornish Riviera Express 1927 until 1936 (Total sold over 35,000)
Featuring the engine 'Abbotsbury Castle', this puzzle was first published with about 150 pieces then increased to about 200 pieces in 1934 before being withdrawn in 1936. It is based on a painting by the artist James Thorpe and shows the train passing the sea near Dawlish on its way from Paddington to Penzance. Our four examples are all cut with wavy edges, however some examples with straight edges are believed to have been produced. The two 200 piece puzzles illustrate the earlier and later type of box used for this size and interestingly, whilst being the same subject, they have different titles printed on the box labels. The label on the front of our example of the 200 piece version in the green book type box bears the early ornate GWR initials, whereas the later GWR roundel appears on the spine label. This suggests that it may well have been produced during 1934 when labels were being changed, with old stock being used up on the box fronts and the latest labels starting to be used on the spine.
150 pieces (approx. 21" x 9")
150 pieces (approx. 20¾" x 8⅞")
200 pieces from 1934 (approx. 21" x 9")
200 pieces (approx. 21" x 9")
King George V 1927 until 1937 (Total sold over 35,000)
This puzzle uses an image derived from a photograph of the locomotive as new and prior to its visit to the United States, so does not carry the bell presented to commemorate that visit. The puzzle is cut to the outline of the engine, but comparison between the different examples of this puzzle reveals detail differences in the cut around the front buffer beam. First published with about 150 pieces it was increased to about 200 pieces in 1934 and was also published with about 300 pieces between 1928 and 1932 (see below). The first version below actually consists of 169 pieces which illustrates how the freehand cutting of puzzles resulted in a wide variation in the number of pieces both above and below the number quoted on the box.
Large puzzles were often split in half for ease of handling with each portion sometimes being cut by two different operators, as can be seen with the ‘Freight Train’ puzzle above. As puzzles tended to be cut four at a time this could also lead to the pictures on each half not lining up correctly if halves from two different cutting layers were packed together, as seen in this 150 piece example of 'King George V'
also in our collection. The joint line between the two halves has been highlighted in red and, whilst the two halves fit together perfectly, the images on each side do not line up
A full size copy of this image
Printed by The Chad Valley Co. Ltd., Harborne
Approx 28⅞” x 16⅛” overall
Author's collection printed on heavy art paper with a wide border ready for framing was sold by the GWR for 1/- (one shilling). It was advertised in The Literature of Locomotion between 1928 and 1932.
150 pieces (approx. 21¾" x 8")
150 pieces (approx. 22" x 8")
150 pieces (approx. 21¾" x 8⅛")
200 pieces from 1934 (approx. 21¾" x 8¼")
200 pieces (approx. 21⅞" x 8⅛")
King George V 1928 until 1932 (Total sold 7,084)
300 pieces 1928-32 only (approx. 21¾" x 8¼")
The 300 piece puzzle is the rarer version of this title. Whilst the picture and overall size are the same as the 150 and 200 piece versions, this one is cut into very small pieces. It was uniquely presented in a red box of the same size as the standard brown one in use at the time and was put on sale alongside the 150 piece version. The normal cream label on the front is partialy overlaid by an unusually large sticker with monochrome guide picture and puzzle details. Our example of this puzzle is not cut particularly well as there are several 'false starts' and many of the nibs and necks are tiny.
Britain's Mightiest 1927 until 1930 (Total sold 10,351)
Painted by the Canadian artist Moy Thomas
The engine 'King George V' is shown carrying the bell presented during its visit to the United States in 1927 to participate in the centenary celebrations of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. This image was used on several different GWR posters with the title "Britain's Mightiest", and also as the cover illustration, with the title "Britain's Mightiest", on the 1928, 1929 and 1930 copies of the GWR booklet 'The Literature of Locomotion'. A slightly modified version of this picture was also used by Chad Valley on the box for a board game called
'Race to the Ocean Coast'Click or tap to see a gallery of images of the game
which they made for the GWR. The game sold for half a crown (2shillings and sixpence) but only appears to have been available from early 1930 until 1931. With total sales in the region of 5,500 it may not have met expectations and so was quietly dropped. Dean & Son Ltd. published a book and a set of playing cards around the 1950s under the title Famous Trains. The book cover and the backs of the cards shared the same image of the Flying Scotsman train at speed, and the book contained many different colour images of trains. These images were used on the face of the playing cards, and one of them
"Famous Trains" playing card
Author's collection featured a "Britain's Mightiest" poster.
150 pieces (approx. 13¾" x 13¾")
150 pieces (approx. 14" x 14")
It is interesting to note that the colours in the later version of the puzzle are much more vibrant than those in the earlier one which is very similar to the image seen on the playing card mentioned above.
150 pieces (approx. 16" x 12")
Oxford 1928 until 1931 (Total sold 5,625)
Sepia pen and ink illustration of Oxford High Street by the artist Fred Taylor. This image was used on a fairly simple poster which simply stated G.W.R OXFORD which was printed by John Waddington Ltd. of Leeds and London. This puzzle is the only one published which was not in full colour and only sold a few thousand copies.
Illustrated is a very quiet scene in the High Street, very different to the present day, with just two cars and some cyclists and pedestrians. The buildings are, from left to right, the University Church of St.Mary the Virgin, All Souls and Queen's College.
150 pieces (approx. 17" x 11")
St.Julien 1928 until 1931 (Total sold 26,593)
By an unknown artist.
The outline of the ship is cut within the main puzzle. Our example has a large red retailer's label on the lid.
The GWR must have been proud of their new ship as this is the second puzzle to be produced featuring the St.Julien. Refer to the first puzzle above for more background to the ship.
150 pieces (approx. 17" x 11")
Swansea Docks 1928 until 1932 (Total sold 10,221)
Signed by the artist Charles Fayson and dated 1927. This image was used on a poster headed Great Western Railway and captioned simply SWANSEA DOCKS.
This puzzle has wavy sides and top, but a straight bottom edge. Within the puzzle it is cut to the outline of the quays, ships and clouds.The city of Swansea can be seen in the distance with Swansea bay curving west towards Mumbles Head and lighthouse. The September 1923 edition of the Great Western Railway Magazine featured a nine page illustrated article entitled 'Swansea and its Port' with a full page map Click or tap to see the mapof Swansea docks.
