Chad Valley jigsaws
'Dunlop' puzzles
First series
As far as we can tell, Chad Valley produced a total of thirteen different titlesKnown 'Dunlop' branded puzzles
Croydon Airport
Liverpool Landing Stage
The Tower of London
Westminster
York Minster
Brussels Flower Market
To The Highest Standard
Cowes Regatta
The Strand
O.H.M.S. Navy
O.H.M.S. Army
O.H.M.S. Air Force
Barge Scene for the Dunlop Rubber Company Limited between 1937 and 1939. The subject matter was quite varied and were, with one possible exception, all based on paintings by either Charles Edward Turner or Charles Francis Hopkinson who were well known artists at the time. All paintings contained a subtle reference to 'Dunlop' usually on a car tyre or, as with two of the London views, on an advertisement carried by a bus. It is not known how long these puzzles remained available but it may be assumed that, as with the GWR branded puzzles, they ceased production towards the end of 1939.
It is believed that each puzzle in this series of Dunlop branded puzzles were contained in small Chad Valley book type boxes, about 6" x 7⅝" x 2¼" in size, with a large circular label above the coloured guide picture which stated The DUNLOP JIG-SAW PUZZLE Manufactured for Dunlop Rubber Co.Ltd. by The Chad Valley Co. Ltd. Harborne, England. Labels on the spine carried the puzzle name and stated the approximate number of pieces in the puzzle. We have seen Dunlop branded examples with both 200 and 175 pieces, possibly being first introduced with 200 and later with 175 to reduce production costs. As far as we can tell, the Chad Valley branded puzzles first appeared with 125 or 150 pieces in lift off lid boxes later being published with 200 pieces in green book type boxes
Courtesy of Paul Embleton.
200 pieces (approx. 14¾" x 10")
This puzzle is based on an undated painting which is signed by the artist C.E.Turner and bears the title The Airport of London, Croydon The terminal building and control tower are seen to the left with a saloon car parked outside, its front tyre bearing Dunlop branding. Dominating the scene is the Imperial Airways four engined airliner 'Atlanta', also with Dunlop branding on its tyre. The branding is repeated on the service trolley wheel to its right and even on the nose of the light aircraft flying overhead.
This Dunlop branded example was published circa 1938 and is contained in a small marbled blue book type box approximately 6" x 7⅝" x 2¼" deep.
A former 1915 World War One airfield, commercial operations began when the RAF vacated the site and Croydon became London Aerodrome on 29th March 1920. Redevelopment of the airport began in 1926 and the magnificent administration building was opened in 1928 as the world’s first purpose built airport terminal, with Croydon becoming the biggest and most advanced airport in the world. By the late 1950s demand for larger planes and longer runways meant that Croydon was struggling to compete and Heathrow took over as London’s primary airport. Croydon closed in 1959 and much of the site was built over, but its terminal building and control tower were awarded Grade II status and remain open as a heritage centre.
200 pieces (approx. 14⅞" x 10")
A very busy scene is depicted in this painting signed by the artist C.E.Turner and titled The Landing Stage, Liverpool. The Dunlop branding is limited to the words 'DUNLOP CORD' written on the front tyre of the blue van on the left. Behind it is a steam wagon of the type in use at the time. Centre image a car can be seen being unloaded from one of the three ferries berthed at the landing stage, the nearest of which is named 'Oxton'. Up until the first Mersey road tunnel was opened in 1934, this would have been the only way to get a car between Birkenhead and Liverpool avoiding a long detour via Runcorn. A large trans-Atlantic liner is being attended by two tugs on the right and many passengers can be seen walking along the landing stage, presumably having just alighted from the ferry.
This Dunlop branded example was published circa 1938 and is contained in a small marbled blue book type box approximately 6" x 7⅝" x 2¼" deep.
125 pieces (approx. 14" x 10")
The nearest railway station on the Great Western system to Liverpool was in Birkenhead, but you could buy through tickets to Liverpool Landing Stage which would have included the ferry fare. They also had a ticket office and a warehouse in Liverpool which still stands, although the dock which once served it closed in 1928 and has long since been filled in. This small warehouse has been restored and its three awnings still carry the words GREAT, WESTERN and RAILWAY in large letters.
This later Chad Valley branded example is contained in a small orange patterned lift off lid box approximately 5¾" x 7¼" x 2¼" deep.
200 pieces (approx. 14¾" x 10")
This puzzle is based on the painting titled The Strand, London and signed C.E.Turner. It shows theatre goers leaving The Gaiety Theatre which operated from 1864 until 1939 when it was demolished to clear space for a new office building. A newsboy is selling late edition papers, a doorman is hailing a taxi and St Mary Le Strand Church can be seen in the distance. The bus heading towards the church advertises 'DUNLOP' on its rear staircase, and the tyre on the rear of the car at the bottom right is branded 'DUNLOP'.
This Dunlop branded example was published circa 1938 and is contained in a small marbled blue book type box approximately 6" x 7⅝" x 2¼" deep.
125 pieces (approx. 13⅝" x 10")
This painting is believed to be by C.E.Turner. Although our puzzle bears no signature it might have been lost as the image has been cropped by almost 1½" on the left. Viewed from an elevated position above the rather quiet Northern approach to Tower Bridge, the Tower of London dominates the scene with the distant dome of St. Paul's Cathedral in the centre. There is some river traffic and two men can be seen in their small boat together with a few barges and some large steamships, one of which is being attended by a tugboat. The bus carries a simple advertisement for 'DUNLOP' and, barely discernable, the word 'DUNLOP' on each of its two rear tyres.
This later Chad Valley branded example is contained in a small pink patterned lift off lid box approximately 5¾" x 7¼" x 2¼" deep.
175 pieces (approx. 15⅛" x 11")
This puzzle, originally published with Dunlop branding in 1937, is based on the painting titled Westminster, London and signed C.E.Turner. It shows Westminster Bridge crossing the Thames towards Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament which are seen on the opposite bank. Busy evening traffic and pedestrians fill the bridge and the nearest bus advertises 'DUNLOP' on its rear staircase whilst the second bus carries similar branding, but less clearly. A couple of tugs and several barges on the river complete this typical scene of the time.
This Dunlop branded example was published circa 1937 and is contained in a small marbled mauve book type box approximately 6" x 7⅝" x 2¼" deep.
125 pieces (approx. 14¼" x 9⅞")
This smaller version of the puzzle was published by Chad Valley circa 1947/8 in a mauve lift off lid box which is approximately 5¾" x 7¼" x 2¼" deep. Our example contains its original packing slip
Click or tap link for a larger image.
125 pieces (approx. 15" x 10")
This version of the puzzle was published by Chad Valley during the 1950s in a lift off lid box which is approximately 5⅞" x 10" x 1½" deep. The full size guide picture continues round onto the sides of the lid. The box is untitled, other than having small a Chad Valley sticker attached. A large standard Chad Valley label
Click or tap link for a larger image is attached to the base of the box. ABOUT 125 PIECES has been rubber stamped onto this label.
We have seen this painting used on a 200 piece jigsaw pubished by A.V.N. Jones & Co. in a lift off lid box with a full size image on the lid. A label on the side indicated that it was one of 12 in the 'Travel Series' of puzzles and that it was Reproduced by courtesy of the DUNLOP RUBBER CO. LTD. The puzzle was about 15" x 10" and could be assembled in the box which was about 1½" deep.
We have discovered that this same painting was also used in about 2005 as the basis for a 1,000 piece cardboard puzzle by H.P.Gibson & Sons Ltd. as part of their Heritage range under the title of 'Westminster Bridge'. Whilst the puzzle is larger than the Chad Valley version the image has been heavily cropped all round resulting in the loss of the artist's signature and title. It is rather puzzling as on the box it states that For the first time we are publishing a puzzle based on the work of an unknown artist. All we can say is that the unsigned picture was probably painted during the very early part of the twentieth century. Copies of the picture have been sent to The Royal Academy, The Victoria & Albert Museum, The Museum of London and The Guildhall Library but so far we have been unable to identify the painter. The picture is reproduced by courtesy of Fine Art Photographic, London.
175 pieces (approx. 9⅞" x 14⅞")
This puzzle is based on the painting titled York. Bootham Bar and the Minster which is signed C.E.Turner and featues the city wall and gateway at the centre with the Minster visible in the distance. In the foreground are some tourists, possibly from the two motor coaches which are parked behind the two cars at the front of the picture which both have 'DUNLOP' branded tyres.
This Dunlop branded example was published circa 1937 and is contained in a small marbled mauve book type box approximately 6" x 7⅝" x 2¼" deep.
125 pieces (approx. 9⅞" x 14⅞")
This Chad Valley branded example was published circa 1947/8 and is cut into about 125 pieces. It is contained in a green and mauve lift off lid box approximately 5¾" x 7¼" x 2¼" deep.
120 pieces (approx. 9¾" x 14½")
This final example of the puzzle is something of an oddity. The box and labels make no reference to a maker but it has been suggested that it was produced by A.V.N. Jones & Co., and whilst the cut is certainly not typically Chad Valley it as also been included here as it quite clearly uses the exact same Dunlop picture as the others which were of Chad Valley manufacture.
Its unusual features do not end there however as the large guide picture on the box lid differs in a number of details from the puzzle picture. The title just visible at the bottom left, York Bootham Bar and the Minster, is written in block capitals rather than cursive script, the overall colouring is different, two people seen standing behind the fence on the left are missing, other people are either missing or have been added, poses and the colour of items of clothing differ, and the bottom half of the nearest coach is now all blue rather than having a blue stripe under the windows.
The puzzle is contained in a pink weave lift off lid box approximately 5" x 8" x 2½" deep. Other than the large guide picture on the front there are no other labels save for an oval label attached to the base
of the box which states that THE SALE OF THIS PUZZLE BENEFITS THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BENEVOLENT FUND. The wood is of poorer quality so it is likely to have been made in the mid 1940s.
125 pieces (approx. 8⅞" x 12¼")
Originally published with Dunlop branding in 1938, this fictitious scene, signed by K.J.Petts, shows the unladen narrowboat 'Sally' entering a lock with the bargee at the tiller and his wife sitting on the cabin roof. The lock-keeper is ready to close the lock gate whilst a motorist leans on his car parked outside a garage and watches proceedings. The Dunlop branding in the picture is pretty subtle as the name 'DUNLOP Fort 90' can just be made out on the front, rear, and spare tyres on the car. This name is repeated rather more clearly on the round red and yellow sign attached to the garage wall.
Our example was published by Chad Valley circa 1947/8 and is contained in a green lift off lid box approximately 5¾" x 7¼" x 2½" deep. The puzzle is cut from ply which is both thicker, ¼", and of poorer quality than normal.
Second series - HIGHWAYS AND HIGHWAYMEN
From about 1951 Chad Valley produced a series of six puzzlesKnown Highwaymen puzzles
Moll Cutpurse
John Cottington
Thomas Dun
Nicholas Horner
Claude Du Vall
Dick' Turpin for the Dunlop Rubber Company Limited under the collective title of 'Highways and Highwaymen'. Each was contained in a lift-off lid box about 8¼" x 11¼" x 1¼" deep with a yellow base and cream lid. Chad Valley were granted a Royal Warrant in 1938 and this is displayed at the top of the box label with the words BY APPOINTMENT TOYMAKERS TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN. The wording would be amended to 'HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother' after Princess Elizabeth became Queen in 1952. A large coloured guide picture, the same size as the puzzle, was attached to the lid and beneath it were printed the series title, name of the subject, and a tag-line. Printed on the side of the lid below the guide picture
was a description of the scene depicted in the puzzle which always ended But today, thanks to John Boyd Dunlop's invention of the pneumatic tyre we can travel in safety and comfort past the places that once echoed to the dreaded cry of "Stand and Deliver!" that being the only mention of Dunlop.
All the puzzles were noted as being of 100 pieces and approximately 9" x 8" in size on the box front, but the actual size of the puzzles did vary slightly as they were still being cut by hand.
100 pieces (approx. 7¾" x 8½")
The tag-line for this puzzle is 'He swam for his life . . . but was finally overcome'. Whilst it has been cropped from the bottom of the jigsaw, the artist's signature, Henry Scahyn(?), can just be made out on the guide picture.
The end of the box describes Thomas Dun's story - Thomas Dun, murderer and highwayman, caused travellers to fear the road between St. Albans, Dunstable and Towcester. For over twenty years he was successful in his wicked life, but one day when he happened to be alone he was set upon by a large number of country people armed with clubs, forks and rakes. They chased him until he reached the river, where he disrobed and, taking his sword between his teeth, swam for his life. But the people took boats and belaboured him with their oars. In spite of his general courage, he was finally overcome and tried and convicted at Bedford. These picturesque scoundrels, who once made travelling an ordeal are dead and gone. But today, thanks to John Boyd Dunlop's invention of the pneumatic tyre we can travel in safety and comfort past the places that once echoed to the dreaded cry of "Stand and Deliver!"
100 pieces (approx. 7¾" x 8½")
The tag-line for this puzzle is '...rescue me from this rogue of a coachman!'. An artist's signature connot be found on either the guide picture or the jigsaw.
The end of the box describes Nicholas Horner's story - Nicholas Horner (1687-1719), highwayman, was once outwitted by a woman in the following manner: she was riding in a coach from Colchester to London, where her coachman warned her that he had noticed "several Sparks upon the Heath, whom I mistrust to be Highwaymen". She hid her valuables in the coach, and then dishevelled her hair. When Horner rode up, the brave woman leapt out of the coach, siezed Horner by one of his legs and shrieked "Ah, dear cousin Tom, I'm glad to see you... rescue me from this rogue of a coachman, for he's carrying me by that rogue of my husband's orders to Bedlam, for a mad woman". This seeming madness scared Horner and he rode off. These picturesque scoundrels, who once made travelling an ordeal are dead and gone. But today, thanks to John Boyd Dunlop's invention of the pneumatic tyre we can travel in safety and comfort past the places that once echoed to the dreaded cry of "Stand and Deliver!"
