Chad Valley jigsaws


'Cunard' and 'Cunard White Star' puzzles

From a large Chad Valley advertising sheet, circa 1929 From a large Chad Valley advertising sheet, circa 1929 Click or tap to see larger images of these sheets
From large Chad Valley advertising sheets, circa 1929 and 1930

Chad Valley first started producing wood jigsaw puzzles for Cunard in 1927, however, they did produce a range of small card puzzles in envelopes for the 1924 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley. Cunard-White Star Limited was created on 10th May 1934 when the two companies merged their North Atlantic operations. In 1947 Cunard acquired White Star’s share of the joint company which was then renamed simply Cunard Line, but the White Star name was not totally removed from Cunard operations until about 1968.

Chad Valley were commissioned to make a large number of jigsaws for the company between about 1927 and 1939, resuming in 1946 and continuing until about 1955 when Chad Valley stopped making wood puzzles altogether. Every passenger ship in the fleet was represented, often more than once, and the size, numbers of pieces and boxes used varied considerably. Those representative examples in our collection are illustrated below in alphabetic, rather than date of publication, order.

Cunard puzzles

Cunard Liner "AQUITANIA" - 45,000 Tons.

AQUITANIA AQUITANIA

150 pieces (approx. 16¼" x 11")

This unsigned painting, believed to be by Frank Mason, shows the vessel in an unidentified harbour being attended by two pairs of tugs. Yachts and a three masted sailing vessel can be seen at the stern, with quayside cranes and warehouses beyond the bow.

RMS Aquitania was launched in early 1913 and made her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York a year later in early 1914. She was eventually retired from service in 1949 and was sold for scrap the following year. This puzzle was published between about 1926 and 1934 with the reference number 2166D and, according to the Chad Valley advertising sheets in our collection, was sold for 2/6. This same puzzle was also sold in a variety of sizes and boxes over time (see Cunard-White Star puzzles below).

The lift off lid box, which is about 9⅞" x 6½" x 2", has a large yellow label bearing the name 'Cunard' and a large red and gold company flag. Whilst it may appear that a label has been added with the puzzle title, it is in fact printed onto a white area which had been purposefully left blank. The reference number of the puzzle is printed on the yellow label below the title box. The monochrome guide picture has also been printed directly onto the lid label, the yellow of which shows through making it rather dark. Along the bottom edge of the white border is printed Manufactured for the Cunard Steam Ship Co., Ltd., by The Chad Valley Co., Ltd., Harborne, England. The box itself is covered with an unusual patterned paper which carries the words Chad Valley and images of a globe containing the words 'KNOWN THE WORLD OVER' surrounded by the words 'TOYS AND GAMES MADE AT HARBORNE ENGLAND'.

R.M.S. "AQUITANIA" Sectional View.

AQUITANIA AQUITANIA

300 pieces (approx. 42⅞" x 9½")

AQUITANIA

This puzzle was published from about 1926 until 1933, the painting is unsigned but across the bottom are listed some details of the vessel. The very deep lift off lid box, which is about 9⅞" x 6½" x 4½", has a large yellow label bearing the name 'Cunard' and a large red and gold company flag. Whilst it may appear that the monochrome guide picture is applied as a label, it is printed directly onto the lid. The box label also describes the puzzle in greater detail as 'SHOWING THE INTERNAL ARRANGEMENT OF THIS GREAT VESSEL' and being 'INTENSELY INTERESTING'.

Glued inside the box lid is an index to the numbers
Click or tap link to enlarge image
on the puzzle which details 96 different areas which are spread between decks "A" to "H", the Boat Deck and the Hold Deck. It is quite surprising just how much space is taken up by the boilers, flues and engines. There is a Hospital, Doctor's room, and 1st Class Gymnasium and Swimming Bath which would be expected, but also a Carpenters' Shop and Paint Store. As a sign of the times, the Crow's Nest, and Marconi Wires to Overhead Wires are also identified.

Cunard Liner "BERENGARIA" - 52,000 Tons.

BERENGARIA BERENGARIA

150 pieces (approx. 16⅛" x 11⅛")

This unsigned painting shows the vessel heading out to sea from an unidentified quayside with the assistance of two tugs. She started life as a German ocean liner built for the Hamburg America Line (Hamburg Amerikanische Paketfahrt Aktien Gesellschaft, or HAPAG). Launched in 1912 and completed the following summer, she served on HAPAG's transatlantic route until the outbreak of World War I. After the war, she was seized and briefly commissioned into the United States Navy to be employed returning American citizens from Europe. Imperator was then handed over to the Cunard as part of war reparations for their loss of the R.M.S.Lusitania.

Following refurbishment in Liverpool she entered service with Cunard in 1920. In 1921 Cunard renamed her Berengaria after the English queen Berengaria of Navarre, wife of Richard the Lionheart, becoming the first Cunard liner to be named after a queen. Later that year the ship was converted from coal to oil firing as part of a major overhaul resuming service in early 1922. Towards the end of her service life, the ship suffered several electrical fires and Cunard eventually sold her for scrap in 1938.

This puzzle was published between about 1926 and 1934 with the reference number 2166E and, according to the Chad Valley advertising sheets in our collection, was sold for 2/6. It is believed that this same puzzle was also sold in a variety of sizes and boxes over time. This example is contained in a standard red Cunard 150 piece size box with the yellow Cunard box label.

CUNARD CANADIAN LINERS No. 2168

Cunard Canadian Liners. No. 2168 Cunard Canadian Liners. No. 2168

375 pieces (approx. 21½" x 15¾")

The painting is by Walter Thomas whose signature is rather indistinct near the bottom left corner. Whilst the vessel carries no name, and so is representative of the six which made up the 'A' class of liner (Ausonia, Andania, Antonia, Aurania, Ascania and Alaunia) which are all named on the box, it is known to show Antonia off the coast of Quebec beginning a return voyage to England. The ship was launched in 1921 and made her maiden voyage from London to Quebec in June 1922. Painted in 1922, this image was used for the poster introducing Cunard's new Canadian service for which the six sister vessels were built, and also on die-cut cardboard puzzles produced initially by Peacock & Co. then, after they took them over, by Chad Valley.

The deep lift off lid box, which is about 9⅞" x 6½" x 3⅛", has a large white label bearing the name 'Cunard' and a large red and gold company flag. The puzzle title and monochrome guide picture has been printed directly onto the lid label. Along the bottom edge of the white border is printed Manufactured for the Cunard Steam Ship Co., Ltd., by The Chad Valley Co., Ltd., Harborne, England. This puzzle was published between about 1926 and 1934 with various names, but all with the reference number 2168. Our example still carries the original 5/- price label and came with a folded leaflet
Click or tap link to see the leaflet opened up
promoting Cunard routes and services.

R.M.S. CARMANIA No. 2161C

CARMANIA CARMANIA

60 pieces (approx. 6¾" x 5⅜")

This unsigned painting shows the vessel at rest in deeper waters off an unknown port. It dwarfs the tender which looks to be leaving, presumably having transferred passengers and their luggage either to or from the ship. Three sailing boats can also be seen in the water. The Carmania was launched in early 1905 and made her maiden voyage towards the end of that same year and was scrapped less than 30 years later in 1932.

Thought to have been published around 1930, this puzzle is contained in a red lif-off lid box which is about 4½" x 6⅞" x 1" deep with a large white lid label which gives the puzzle number as being 2161C. The wording along the bottom of the label reads Approved by and Manufactured for The Cunard S.S. Co. Ltd. By The Chad Valley Co., Ltd., Harborne, England. The large circular guide picture shows a different image to that used for the puzzle and appears to have possibly been cut from a postcard.


Cunard Liners "CARONIA" & "CARMANIA" - 20,000 Tons.

CARONIA & CARMANIA CARONIA & CARMANIA

150 pieces (approx. 13⅞" x 13¾")

The liners Carmania and Caronia were identical sister ships and both feature individually on several other puzzles. This particular example could show either vessel as that in the picture does not carry a name. Caronia was launched in 1904 making her maiden voyage the following year, whilst Carmania was launched in early 1905 and made her maiden voyage towards the end of that same year. They were both scrapped in 1932.

This puzzle was published in about 1926 with the reference number 2166F. It was sold for 2/6 according to the Chad Valley advertising sheets in our collection, which shows the puzzle title as being "R.M.S. CORONIA" but still with the same reference number. It is thought that this same puzzle, now cut to 200 pieces, was also sold from about 1934 in a standard book type box under the same name and reference number. Our puzzle is contained in a standard red Cunard 150 piece size box with the yellow Cunard box label.


Cunard Liner "CARMANIA" Leaving Liverpool Landing Stage

'CARMANIA' leaving Liverpool 'CARMANIA' leaving Liveropool

500 pieces (approx. 28" x 17¼")

This impressive picture, signed by C.E.Turner, was specially painted for The Illustrated London News. Notable landmarks are noted along the foot of the jigsaw, namely the Tower Building, Princess Landing Stage, the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Buildings and Offices of Mersey Dock & Harbour Board. Also identified are a Cunard tender, a Mersey tug and the ferry "Royal Iris".

This puzzle was published in about 1930 with the reference number 2171 and was sold for 10/6 according to the Chad Valley advertising sheets in our collection. It is thought that this same puzzle was also sold under the same name and reference number cut to 400 pieces in 1927 and later with 600 pieces. Possibly also sold in around 1948 with 500 pieces in a Chad Valley branded box. Our example is contained in a large red Cunard box about 12" x 8" x 3½" deep, with a white Cunard box label and printed monochrome guide picture.


Loading and unloading a mammoth Cunarder No. 2166c

Loading and unloading a mammoth Cunarder Loading and unloading a mammoth Cunarder

150 pieces (approx. 16" x 12")

The full title printed on the box label is 'Loading and unloading a mammoth Cunarder - an every-day scene at the Liverpool,, London, and Southampton Docks'. This rather dark painting shows an anonymous single funnel vessel in an unknown location. The legs of a tall crane dominate the scene with a lorry, cargo and dockers in the foreground. The signature on the painting is indistinct, but it is believed to be that of Frank T.M.Major.

This puzzle was published between 1926 and 1933 in a standard red Cunard 150 piece size box with yellow Cunard box label and sold for 2/6. Our puzzle is not cut in what might be described as typical Chad Valley style. The cut essentially divides the picture into a series of vertical ribbons. Each piece in a ribbon interlocks with that above or below, but there are few pieces which interlock the ribbons together, as seen with the BOOTS series of puzzles. This suggests this is an early version of the jigsaw possibly cut by someone from the old Peacock Toys factory.


R.M.S. "MAURETANIA" No. 2161 puzzle 3

MAURETANIA MAURETANIA

60 pieces (approx. 6¾" x 5⅜")

This unsigned painting shows the vessel, almost filling the entire image, steaming at speed through choppy waters. Another liner can just be seen beyond the bow. The Mauretania was a fast vessel and held the Blue Ribband from 1906 until 1929, eventually retiring in 1935.

Dating from around 1926, this puzzle is contained in a red lif-off lid box which is about 4½" x 6⅞" x 1" deep with a large white and red lid label which gives the puzzle number as being 2161. The wording along the bottom of the label reads Manufactured for the Cunard Steam Ship Co., Ltd., by The Chad Valley Co., Ltd., Harborne, England. There is no guide picture, but the label lists four titles in the series, 1. R.M.S. "BERENGARIA", 2. R.M.S "CARMANIA", 3. R.M.S. "MAURETANIA" and 4. R.M.S. "FRANCONIA". At the top of the label are the words THIS PUZZLE IS NO. and a pencilled number 3.



Cunard-White Star puzzles

R.M.S. "ANDANIA"

ANDANIA ANDANIA

400 pieces (approx. 21⅝" x 16")

Published in about 1934, this puzzle comes in a large size marbled pink book type box. The label carries the Cunard and White Star company flags and a monochrome guide picture. Along the bottom edge is printed Manufactured for Cunard White Star Ltd., by The Chad Valley Co., Ltd., Harborne, England.

This is the same image as previously used for the smaller 'CUNARD CANADIAN LINERS No. 2168' puzzle seen in the Cunard puzzles section above. Whilst the vessel in the painting carries no name it is known to actually be Antonia which is representative of the six identical vessels which made up the 'A' class of liner (Ausonia, Andania, Antonia, Aurania, Ascania and Alaunia).


R.M.S. "AQUITANIA"

AQUITANIA AQUITANIA

200 pieces (approx. 16⅜" x 11¼")

Published in about 1934, this is probably the final version of this puzzle and comes in a standard size marbled green book type box. The label carries the Cunard and White Star company flags and along the bottom edge is printed Manufactured for Cunard White Star Ltd., by The Chad Valley Co., Ltd., Harborne, England.

The painting and ship are described in the Cunard puzzles section above.


CUNARD WHITE STAR No. 534.

CUNARD WHITE STAR No. 534. CUNARD WHITE STAR No. 534.

200 pieces (approx. 19" x 9¾")

Given the yard number of 534, John Brown & Company began construction in December 1930 at their Clydebank shipyard in Scotland. Work was temporarily halted whilst Cunard secured a government loan, a condition of which was for Cunard and White Star to merge their North Atlantic operations. The ship was launched on 26th September 1934 but did not make its maiden voyage until 27th May 1936. The name of the ship had been kept a closely guarded secret and there are various stories as to how the name was chosen.

Whilst unsigned, the painting is believed to have been by W.J.P.McDowell. It shows the ship being accompanied by three tugs and a number of small craft, whilst a flight of seven flying boats or seaplanes passes overhead. It was in fact painted before the ship was named and launched.

This first version of the puzzle was published in 1934 before the ship was launched, a fact reflected in the puzzle title on the spine. It comes in a standard size marbled pink book type box with a black and white guide picture and large box label bearing the names 'Cunard' with 'White Star', possibly having been overprinted, in much smaller letters below. The label carries just the Cunard company flag and along the bottom edge is printed Manufactured for Cunard White Star Ltd., by The Chad Valley Co., Ltd., Harborne, England.

R.M.S. "QUEEN MARY"

R.M.S. QUEEN MARY R.M.S. QUEEN MARY

200 pieces (approx. 18¾" x 9⅞")

This later example of the puzzle again comes in a standard size marbled pink book type box but with a coloured guide picture and large box label bearing the names 'Cunard' and 'White Star'. The label carries the Cunard and White Star company flags and along the bottom edge is printed Manufactured for Cunard White Star Ltd., by The Chad Valley Co., Ltd., Harborne, England.


HUSKISSON DOCK. Huskisson Dock, Liverpool. on guide picture

R.M.S. QUEEN MARY R.M.S. QUEEN MARY

200 pieces (approx. 16½" x 11⅜")

This puzzle was between 1926 and 1933 published in a yellow label box with 150 pieces. Our version was published from 1934 with 200 pieces in a standard size book type box bearing a monochrome guide picture.

Signed by the artist James S.Mann, the painting shows a very busy scene with three Cunard vessels in port but none bear a name. Tugs and lighters can be seen on the water, and in the foreground eleven dock workers are dealing with a varied selection of cargo.

James Scrimgeour Mann was born in Dundee in 1883, and attended the Liverpool School of Art. After serving in the Army during World War I, he went to live in Liverpool where he stayed until his death in 1946. Huskisson Dock first opened in 1852 and was named after William Huskisson, a former Member of Parliament and Treasurer of the Navy. Initially used for timber trade, it later handled grain and provided berthing facilities for passenger ships on North American routes with Cunard liners using it until the 1960s.