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GWR jigsaws

1929-1931 puzzles

The Torbay Express 1929 until 1934 (Total sold about 10,000)

This painting by F.N.J.Moody illustrates the classic scene of the Torbay Express heading east from Teignmouth past Spray Point. The long train of twelve coaches is hauled by locomotive number 6000, 'King George V' and visible in the distance is Teignmouth with its pier and church tower. First published with about 375 pieces it was increased to about 400 pieces in 1934 but was then soon withdrawn.

We have a second, presumably later, example of the 375 piece puzzle in a lift off lid box which has a monochrome guide picture glued onto the box label. This is the same label that can be seen applied to the first two slip case boxes shown below. Along the top they state 'Size of Puzzle, 29" x 13".' which, as can be seen, is somewhat over generous. Our 375 piece example in the slip case box came with a folded card 'Map of the Great Western Railway' and a copy of the booklet 'The Literature of Locomotion' from late 1932.

Comparison between the two 400 piece versions shown above serves to demonstrate how differences crept in. For some reason the right hand side of one puzzle has been heavily cropped, with most of the hillside greenery and the artist's signature being lost. The guide picture also differs, with the second example having a smaller colour image bearing just the name of the puzzle.

Paddington Station/The Railway Station/A Railway Station 1930 until 1933 (Total sold 8,454)

From the original painting by W.P.Frith, whose signature can just be seen, very small, on the puzzle.

First published in a box with a cream label, this puzzle appears to have undergone a series of changes after initial publication. We have in our collection two examples with different names and a loose box label with yet a third! Our first example carries what we believe to be the first name, being PADDINGTON STATION. below the printed sepia guide picture, but even this is not straightforward as the size quoted above the picture is an overprinted amendment. Just above the size of 19½" x 9", and under an overprinted line

Click or tap link for a larger image, the original size of 15" x 6" can just be made out.

We were given a loose box label which takes things one step further. This label was originally the same as the first one above, complete with the overprinted size amendment. However, a new monochrome guide picture

Click or tap link for a larger image with the correct dimensions has been glued over the printed one, also covering both the original sizes and name. This guide picture carries the title of THE RAILWAY STATION.

Our second example of this puzzle is contained in the later black label box with a coloured guide picture attached. The full title on the coloured guide picture is A RAILWAY STATION By W.P.Frith R.A. (PADDINGTON STATION IN 1862).. The box contains the original packing slip

Click or tap link for a larger image and a copy of the original pamphlet

Click or tap link for a larger image describing the painting and its history. The title of the pamphlet is The Railway Station which was the name given to the jigsaw when first published as part of a twin puzzle in 1926 and the second title for this larger puzzle.

The painting depicts a very busy scene with a train which is preparing to depart hauled by the engine Great Britain having luggage loaded onto the carriage roofs before being covered with tarpaulin. Soldiers in their red uniforms can be seen amid great bustle as passengers rush to board. The artist often included himself and members of his own family in his paintings and this one, which was painted in 1862 when Frith was 43, is no exception. Frith shows himself wearing a black hat and greatcoat with his hand on his son's shoulder. His wife, Isabella, is kissing their younger son who is carrying a cricket bat and is about to leave to start a new term at boarding school. Included also (in fur coat at centre) is the professor who taught his children languages and Inspector Craig of Paddington Station (far right). Frith apparently led something of a double life with a mistress, Mary Alford, who was twenty years his junior. It is felt he must have included her in several of his paintings and it is thought by some that the young woman wearing a bonnet who can be seen above his right shoulder is Mary - she certainly seems to be keeping an eye on him.

This is actually a famous picture for a very different reason as it recalls an episode which took place on January 1st, 1845. On the extreme right a man can be seen being arrested as he is about to board the train. An arrest warrant is being served by one detective whilst another stands by, handcuffs at the ready. The reality was very different to that illustrated however. In short, a John Tawell had travelled from London to Slough and having poisoned his ex-mistress returned to London on the evening 7:42 train. He was followed after alighting from the train, and was arrested the next day in a coffee house, not at the station as enacted in the painting. The significance of the event lies in the fact that his description was telegraphed to Paddington from the station at Slough, enabling him to be identified on arrival. This case gripped the public's attention and was extensively covered in the press as this was the first instance of the electric telegraph being used for such a purpose. John Tawell was found guilty of murder and was executed in Aylesbury on the 28th March, becoming known as 'The Man Hanged by the Electric Telegraph'.

The original canvas measures 8feet 5inches by 3feet 10inches and was painted as a commission from L.V.Flatlow who was a picture dealer in Haymarket and paid £4,500 for the work. He also paid £750 for Frith to waive the right to send it for exhibition at the Royal Academy. Instead, Flatlow displayed it at his gallery, where 21,150 people paid to view it in seven weeks. The painting was later exhibited at the 1878 International Exhibition in Paris. In 1883 it was sold to Mr. Thomas Holloway, founder of the Royal Holloway College and was displayed in the Palace of Arts at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1928. A whole website could be devoted to this large painting, its associations and how it first came to be painted. The identities of the models for the detectives, the identity of the gentleman clearly seen studying the broad gauge engine, the private life and work of the artist himself, the life story of John Tawell, the early telegraph apparatus used and the restrictions it placed on the message sent from Slough are all fascinating subjects for further reading.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage 1930 until 1933 (Total sold 10,000)

From a painting by the artist Warwick Goble dating from 1927.

Washing is seen drying on the hedge and cows are being driven down the road under the watchful eye of a woman in a green dress and white apron. The cottage was first built in 1463 and was the family home of Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife-to-be. Extended and modified over the years, much of the original survives to this day and it has been owned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust since 1892.

A Cornish Fishing Village 1930 until 1933 (Total sold 12,230)

Painted by S.Clarke Hutton.

This picture was used on a poster promoting The G.W.R. for CORNWALL and as the coloured frontispiece to the booklet produced by the Great Western Railway as a souvenir from the British Empire Exhibition of 1924.

This is thought to be a view of Bodinnick, near Fowey. Many small boats can be seen in the harbour and a number of people are exploring the quayside. The fruit stall in the foreground is interesting as the bananas and other fruit on sale add to the 'riviera' feel suggested by the bright sun and coloured blind over the stall.

Glorious Devon 1930 until 1933 (Total sold 10,200)

Image derived from a photograph.

The location for the original photograph is not known, but it has been suggested that it could have been Clovelly Bay. The gorse in flower lightens the foreground and the cliffs on the far side of the bay recede into the distance. We have in our collection a later version of this puzzle published by Chad Valley under their own brand. That version consists of 225 pieces contained in a traditional lift-off lid type box with wrap around guide picture. We believe Chad Valley may have also produced a 175 piece version.

Warwick Castle 1930 until 1933 (Total sold 10,000)

From a painting by Warwick Goble.

The main castle and tower are seen through the trees and looking up the river Avon. This image was used for a poster which advertised WARWICK CASTLE in Shakespeare's Country England and was headed Great Western Railway of England presumably being aimed at the transatlantic market.

Springtime in Devon - Fingle Bridge/Fingle Bridge 1930 to 1934 (Total sold 8,500)

The painting by Edith A.Andrews shows a view up the River Teign towards Fingle Bridge on Dartmoor. First published with about 150 pieces as 'Springtime in Devon - Fingle Bridge', it was renamed 'Fingle Bridge' in 1932 and then increased to about 200 pieces in 1934.

St. David's Cathedral 1930 until 1934

The painting is not signed, but is attributed to A.Van Anrooy R.I. on the guide picture on the box and was used on a poster promoting ST DAVID'S Pembrokeshire South Wales. The picture shows the organ and screen with the east window and choir behind. There are just three people to be seen in the otherwise empty cathedral. First published with about 150 pieces, it was increased to about 200 pieces in 1934.

Vikings Landing at St.Ives 1930 until 1936 (Total sold about 10,000)

Painted by the artist Percy F.S.Spence and dated March 1928. This image, which shows the coast at St. Ives with Viking ships in the bay, was featured on a poster promoting the CORNISH RIVIERA and carried the full title The Vikings landing on St. Ives Beach but which left the reader none the wiser as to what the Cornish Riviera had to offer. Initially produced as a 375 piece puzzle, it was increased to about 400 pieces in 1934. Our example in the final book style box includes the original packing slip

Click or tap link for a larger image.

Windsor Castle 1931 until 1934 (Total sold 10,000)

Painted by the artist Percy F.S.Spence and depicting the round tower at Windsor Castle surmounted by the Royal Standard. In the centre foreground is the King wearing full armour riding his charger surrounded by his knights. This puzzle was first published with about 150 pieces and was increased to about 200 pieces in 1934.

Mountains of Killarney 1931 until 1935

Painted by the artist Warwick Goble. This image was used on a poster entitled SOUTHERN IRELAND which promoted a Free illustrated booklet obtainable at G.W.R. Stations and Offices. The picture shows the Gap of Dunloe with the river crossed by a bridge in the distance. Close examination of what at first may seem to be an empty landscape reveals eleven cows grazing next to the river whilst another has made it up to the road and is grazing on the verge. A horse and cart and a walker have just passed by, whilst another two people and a cart can be seen crossing the bridge.

Originally published with about 150 pieces, the puzzle was enlarged to about 200 pieces in 1934. Known to have been later sold by Chad Valley under their own brand as an untitled 175 piece puzzle in a traditional lift-off lid type box with wrap around guide picture.

King Arthur on Dartmoor 1931 until 1936 (Total sold about 10,000)

From a painting by the artist Percy Spence dated February 1928. This image was used for a poster advertising GLORIOUS DEVON which included the title King Arthur and his Knights crossing Dartmoor. Initially published with about 150 pieces, the puzzle was increased to about 400 pieces in 1934.

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