Chad Valley jigsaws


ex 'GWR' puzzles

Between 1924 and 1939 Chad Valley produced 44 different jigsaw puzzles for the Great Western Railway. Some of these puzzles were published by Chad Valley under their own name after the war and those examples in our collection are shown below. Earlier editions were published in standard book type boxes. The original GWR branded puzzles are described in detail on the relevant GWR jigsaws pages.

LONDON HIGHWAYS.

London Highways London Highways

200 pieces (approx. 17¼" x 10¾")

Initially produced for the GWR between 1934 and 1937 this puzzle carried no GWR branding but 'CP' which stands for 'Carter Paterson' who were a major parcels carrier at the time and one of their vans is featured crossing London Bridge. Whilst not carrying any reference to the GWR this was nonetheless part of the GWR promotional jigsaw series being advertised on a small leafletClick or tap link to see the original leaflet from 1934 with three other new GWR jigsaws all containing 200 pieces to be published on 21st September 1934.


LONDON HIGHWAYS.

London Highways London Highways

150 pieces (approx. 17⅜" x 10⅞")

Our two examples of this puzzle both come in a standard size marbled green book type box with a coloured guide picture. We are not sure when the Chad Valley branded versions were published, possibly in 1946-50 before the BR one was commissioned.

It is known that this puzzle was later published by Chad Valley with 175 pieces in a lift-off lid type box with wrap around guide picture. This puzzle was also sold with British Railways branding but that version was heavily cropped on the right to remove the Carter Paterson van, but also loosing the aeroplane and Tower Bridge in the process!


Later puzzles were published in lift-off lid boxes of varying sizes with wrap around guide picture. In addition to those in our collection below, we have also seen 'Mountains of Killarney', 'Springtime in Devon' and 'St. David's Cathedral' in similar boxes.

A Cornish Fishing Village (puzzle and box untitled)

A Cornish Fishing Village A Cornish Fishing Village

175 pieces (approx. 10¾" x 14")

This puzzle was originally published by the GWR between 1930 and 1933 with 150 pieces.

Our example is contained in a lift-off lid type box about 11" x 7" x 1¼" deep. The full size guide picture continues round onto the sides of the lid and the box is untitled, other than having small a Chad Valley sticker attached. A large standard Chad Valley label

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is attached to the base of the box. ABOUT 175 PIECES has been rubber stamped onto this label.


Glorious Devon (puzzle and box untitled)

Glorious Devon Glorious Devon

225 pieces (approx. 15½" x 12¼")

This puzzle was originally published by the GWR between 1930 and 1933 with 150 pieces.

This first version is contained in a traditional lift-off lid type box about 11½" x 7½" x 1½" and probably dates from the early 1950s. 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

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is attached to the base of the box. ABOUT 225 PIECES has been rubber stamped onto this label.


Glorious Devon (puzzle and box untitled)

Glorious Devon Glorious Devon

175 pieces (approx. 14" x 10¼")

This second version is contained in a slightly smaller lift-off lid type box about 11" x 7" x 1¼" deep. It might be a later edition perhaps being smaller and cut into fewer pieces to save on production costs. The full size guide picture again continues round onto the sides of the lid and 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 175 PIECES has been rubber stamped onto this label.


Historic Totnes (puzzle and box untitled)

Historic Totnes Historic Totnes

175 pieces (approx. 14⅜" x 10¾")

This puzzle was published by the GWR from 1932 until 1939, initially with 150 pieces but increasing to 200 in 1933 then reducing to 150 in 1938. Comparison with the GWR original reveals that this version is cropped on the left and right hand sides and the puzzle has been reduced in size overall.

The jigsaw is contained in a traditional lift-off lid type box about 11" x 7" x 1¼" deep and probably dates from the early 1950s. The full size guide picture continues round onto the sides of the lid and 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 175 PIECES has been rubber stamped onto this label. The box for our example has been repaired with brown paper tape which covers some of the guide picture.


Stratford-upon-Avon (puzzle and box untitled)

Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon

500 pieces (approx. 19⅝" x 13⅞")

This puzzle was published by the GWR from 1933 until 1938, initially with 375 pieces but increasing to 400 in 1934. Comparison with the GWR original reveals that this version is cropped at the top and down the right hand side.

The jigsaw is contained in a traditional lift-off lid type box about 13" x 8" x 1¾" and probably dates from the early 1950s. The full size guide picture continues round onto the sides of the lid and 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 500 PIECES has been rubber stamped onto this label.