Sale Instructions 2007
TO: Fellow Puzzle Cutters/Collectors/Enthusiasts
FROM: Bob & Hildegard Armstrong
15 Monadnock Road
Worcester, MA 01609
Tel: (508) 799-0644
Email: raahna@oldpuzzles.com
Web Site: www.oldpuzzles.com
RE: Jigsaw Puzzle Sale List – Fall 2007
We are again offering a wide range of fully restored puzzles from the inexpensive (cardboard, Straus, post 1950 wood) to the relatively “dear” (Pastime, 1909 era) to the very expensive (Par). We scanned in all puzzle images, so if you cannot decide without looking at some pictures, we can e-mail them to you.
1. As in the past, all puzzles needing work have been fully restored by Bob as his principal avocation in retirement. Restoration includes making replacement pieces, which meet the test of “you have to hunt to find them”. Bob also repairs all the broken/split knobs, missing/damaged paper and delaminated wood so that the puzzle “looks really good” and is in good or better condition. This activity usually takes longer than replacing missing pieces. Any unfixable problems are noted in the “Comments” section and the puzzle priced accordingly (see P-861). If you should not be satisfied, call us and we will work it out, including refund. Also, wherever possible, Bob repairs boxes using archival materials and techniques so they can safely store the puzzles but still show their age.
2. In order to be as fair as possible, we have set 10 p.m. EST, Thursday, November 8, 2007, as the deadline for requests. All requests received by mail, e-mail or telephone up to that date will be handled on an equal basis. If more than one request is received for a puzzle during that period, we will conduct a draw for the winner. You may request at list price as many puzzles as you wish (no limit here). However, since 1998 we have also allowed each buyer to make (and revise) overbids on up to 3 puzzles, if you are willing to go above the list price. Obviously, the highest overbid received by us by 10 p.m. EST, Thursday, November 8, 2007 will claim that puzzle. You may check with us on the status of bidding for any puzzles and drop, add, revise or switch your bids as often as you wish right up to the last moment so long as you are the leading over-bidder on no more than three puzzles at any one moment. We do ask that you not withdraw or reduce an overbid while you are still in the lead (you can add to it, though). We also ask that when overbidding you do so by at least the following minimum increments: on prices up to $100: $2; from $100 to $300: $5; over $300: $10, and that you not overbid by simply stating in an email: “Overbid the current bid by the minimum amount”. You must state a figure for your overbid. Also note: we treat your overbid as the actual bid regardless of the amount being overbid, and not an “up to” or proxy bid as does the Ebay computer. This is an important distinction from Ebay and can be both a positive and a negative (call Bob and he will explain).
3. In our last sale, every puzzle listed was sold with nearly 86% going via overbids, many, however, by only a few dollars over list price. On average, buyers received about a fifth of the puzzles they requested. We were pleased that 62 bidders received puzzles. It is best to request more puzzles than you actually need, maybe setting a maximum dollar limit in case you are “too lucky”. Remember: there is no limit to the number of puzzles you can put your name in for at list price. Best of all, however, call us near the end to check on the status of the bidding and add to your list puzzles not in hot demand, maybe even placing your overbids on some of them. Please note: we usually are overwhelmed with calls and emails in the last 20 minutes of the sale. We give priority to answering the phone and try to respond quickly to each caller’s questions (you must be brief, as well). This means the emails pile up and we are unable to open them until after 10 p.m. It is possible that you could appear to be the high bidder over the phone for a puzzle at 10 p.m. but an email with a higher bid has come in a few minutes before and is sitting there unopened. The higher email bid would prevail. Yes, the Ebay computer has us beat here, but we like to think we are a lot friendlier!
4. Everyone making requests/bids will receive a summary of the sale listing the puzzles they are receiving, a “second chance” list of puzzles not requested by anyone in the first round (if any), and instructions on payment and shipment. For shipping within US, we add $4 for the first puzzle ($5 west of the Mississippi), $1 for each additional puzzle, $2 for the first $100 of insurance, and $1 for each $100 of insurance thereafter, with shipment by Parcel Post. Shipment abroad and special arrangements including Priority Mail are at extra cost. For puzzles purchased by Massachusetts residents, we must add 5% sales tax unless you send us your tax-exempt number.
5. We hope to hear from you and welcome your calls! We will be around most of the time to respond promptly to your emails and phone calls except we will be in Maine October 26-29. Note: if you are not bidding but would like to continue receiving future lists, send us a short note. We do stop mailing people after two mailings without receiving a response of any kind.
Additional notes on listed puzzles:
2-20187 is the first (D.1) in the series of 16 Dickens Zag-Zaw puzzles issued by Tuck & Sons, London, starting in 1912. More information on the Ludovici Dickens coaching puzzles.
2-20522 and 2-20520 are from an acquisition of puzzles cut by the seller’s grandfather in New Zealand in the 1930s. Most feature extensive clc, edge lk, center p-f and traditional New Zealand scenes. They are in top condition never having been used.
Par 94 is an unusual scene for a Par with softer colors and can be assembled on a card table.
Par 97 is a personalized Par with the original owner’s initials (“MRC”), dropout-figures (2 Par signature seahorses) and irregular edges-figures (“HAVE A HAPPY”). This appears to be a comment by the Par partners on the picture painted by Pablo Picasso in 1901, reminiscent of his “blue period”. The mood of the painting certainly is “blue”. The puzzle is in top condition (no repairs by me) and extremely well cut with extra figure pieces (36), hence the higher list price.
Next Puzzle Parley
Our last Puzzle Parley in San Francisco April 12-13, 2007 was a great success with nearly 60 participants. Anne Williams and Bob were both totally surprised when they were honored for their contributions to the puzzle world when Melinda Shebell, Joe Seymour and others presented each with a very different, enormous collage puzzle collectively cut by approximately 15 different cutters. The story and complete analysis of Bob’s puzzle with close up photos (especially of the 37 special cutting techniques employed) are displayed on Bob’s website at: www.oldpuzzles.com/Full-of-the-Dickens. These puzzles plus the wonderful puzzle presented to Pagey Elliott at our 2004 Parley, all “engineered” by Melinda Shebell, are three of the greatest puzzles ever made and will be on display and discussed at our next puzzle parley. Currently, we are looking at November 2008 in Concord, MA again for our next meeting but that hasn’t been pinned down yet. You can visit the Events page of Bob’s website at: www.oldpuzzles.com/Events/ for more information as the event draws closer. Even better, email us if you might be interested in attending and we will see that you are mailed a Notice and Registration form when the dates are set.
Many more puzzles have been added to the Armstrong Collection display section of Bob’s website in the past year. Visit: www.oldpuzzles.com/Examples and enjoy viewing and reading about them. The descriptions contain a lot of information.