Bergen Line-Double Sided

Superb example of a fully interlocking and double-sided promotional plywood jigsaw puzzle, estimated to be of c1950s/60s issue but by an unidentified manufacturer . The cutting style shows similarities to that of some "Cotswood" branded and "Valentine" branded puzzles, so perhaps they have similar origin, probably in Britain.

The box lid promotes Bergen Line at their prestigious London address of 21-24 Cockspur Street, London SW1, the hub to so many travel agency and shipping companies of the early-mid 20th century.

The puzzles themselves show on one side, two of the shipping line's vessels, namely M.S. Venus and S.S. Leda, promoting their services to Norway, Madeira and the Canaries, whilst the other shows the ship M.S. Meteor, advertising Scandinavian Cruises and Coastal Voyages to the Land of the Midnight Sun.

A further example, similarly boxed but only single-sided, is also known to exist and features the same image of the M.S. Meteor. Whether the other image, featuring the two ships, was also issued is not known.

Photographic: Uncredited
Date: c1950s/60s
Brand: Unidentified
Material: Plywood
Nationality: British?
Pieces: 150
Size: 13 1/4" x 9 1/4"
Theme: Promotional
Title: Bergen Line-Double Sided