Educational Playthings

If it is difficult to find out about the companies in the UK who made wooden puzzles 50 years ago or more, it is even harder to research American jigsaw puzzle companies from almost 100 years ago. The puzzles shown here were manufactured by Educational Playthings Inc. (with the exception of the New York syline puzzle, which is unattributed). Educational Playthings Inc were active in New York during the period of the 1930’s to 40’s, and whilst the era predated the use of company logos on the front of their products, ink-stamped in almost illegible print are the words Educational Playthings Inc and a date to the back of single puzzle pieces, hence we have been reliably able to identify and date this sequence. The puzzles themselves depict a time of development and frequently feature transport – which in this era would have been at the cutting edge of what was available, opening up possibilities for travel and exploration. It should be noted however that whilst the puzzles depict times of what would look to be economic growth and adventure, it was the period of The Great Depression which lasted from 1929 until 1941. We can see from some very faint markings on some of the puzzles pieces that the puzzles appear to have been made in 1933 (Ferry), 1932 (Fire Engines) and 1949 (Grocery Store).