Dined-Not Wisely But Too Well-Lucky Dog

Early example of double-sided plywood jigsaw puzzle, cut for the library and in use between 1949 and 1969. The cutting style is non-interlocking and also features a most unusual pattern of concentric circles cut into it. It proved itself a most enjoyable challenge to complete.

I assembled the puzzle with the "Pears" print "Dined-Not Wisely But Too Well" as the image, feeling that the reverse side of the pieces appeared to be largely of the same rather uninspiring brown hues. Imagine my delight when I finally managed to flip the completed puzzle over, revealing "Lucky Dog"! Given the almost entirely push-fit nature of the puzzle, this proved no easy task and I wonder how many previous assemblers ever saw it properly!

"Dined-Not Wisely But Too Well", featuring a "Pears" logo on the woodwork in the upper right corner, is by the British artist James Shaw Crompton (1853-1916), and was issued as a Pears print in their 1912 album. "Lucky Dog", is by an as yet unidentified artist.


Artist: Crompton, James Shaw/Unidentified artist
Date: c1940s
Brand: Library Puzzles
Material: Plywood
Nationality: British
Pieces: 428
Size: 12" x 17 1/2"
Theme: Pears Print
Title: Dined-Not Wisely But Too Well-Lucky Dog