Businessman's London by Underground

A very large wooden puzzle with over 1800 pieces cut by David Cooper as part of his "Feenix" brand. It features a 1930 poster created by artist R. T. Cooper when motor vehicles were causing more congestion on the streets and London Transport took the opportunity of running an advertising campaign to promote more travel by Underground.

Apart from the central panel with its message of "The Efficient Way" there are ten panels featuring intricate drawings related to various business-related activities and underlined with nearby Underground stations. Between the titles there are busts of six men who had a major influence on the City of London and its commercial activities. Dave Cooper's name and address plus the date of cutting are on the reverse of the two large central pieces.

NB - Mark Lane station closed in 1967. It was located at the bottom end of the street of that name between the current "Monument" and "Tower Hill" stations on the Circle and District lines.

"Post Office" could refer to the narrow-gauge railway operated by the Post Office which carried mail underground between Paddington and Whitechapel. It opened in 1927 and ceased running in 2003, after which it became part of a museum connected with the Post Office.

The puzzle is cut in an intriguing semi-interlocking style but without any line cutting or shaped pieces and the edge is particularly challenging to assemble. It is so large that it has to be contained in two "Feenix" boxes as illustrated.

Artist: Cooper, Richard T. (1884 - 1957)
Date: 1994
Brand: Feenix
Material: 3-ply wood
Nationality: British
Pieces: 1859
Size: 30½" x 24½"
Theme: London
Title: The Businessman's London by Underground