Jigsaw puzzle
John Waddington Ltd.
Category
Sports equipment, games and pastimes
Date
circa 1940
Materials
Cardboard and paper
Measurements
Jigsaw – 434 mm (width); 280 mm (height), Envelope and Cards –133 mm (min. width); 163 mm (max. width); 122 mm (min. height); 202 mm (max. height), Box - 228 mm (width); 280 mm (height)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 662873
Summary
A jigsaw puzzle of 180 interlocking cardboard pieces, depicting a train crossing a viaduct and entering a tunnel called ‘The Silent Passenger’ (circa 1940). A door in the first coach is open and a man is falling through the air. At the bottom left is an inset picture showing two officials meeting what looks to be the same man as he gets out of the train. The original box, now badly torn and damaged, is illustrated with a picture of a newspaper lad holding a news sheet on which is printed ‘INSPECTOR HORNLEIGH INVESTIGATES’. On the reverse of the box is a yellow rectangle in which is printed in black 'Inspector Hornleigh Investigates Problem 1. The Silent Passenger, Problem 2. Forced Landing, Problem 3. The Mystery on Board PH-ABD, Problem 4. The Faked Alibi.' Inside the box is a greaseproof paper envelope containing a crime story card entitled 'INSPECTOR HORNLEIGH INVESTIGATES Problem No.1 The Silent Passenger', and a blue card with the same title. When the blue card is moistened the solution to the crime will apparently become readable. This puzzle is one of a set of four in the series as listed on the first card. Total number of items is 187.
Makers and roles
John Waddington Ltd., maker