| Liberty Puzzles are classic wooden jigsaw puzzles, made with real maple-veneer plywood and the finest archival paper and inks. No two pieces in any puzzle are alike, and each puzzle features scores of intricate, charming whimsy pieces. Our puzzle designs are modeled after some of the most intricate jigsaw puzzles ever made, including the original Falls, Par, and Pastime brands. Liberty Puzzles are manufactured in Boulder, Colorado. Our Manufacturing Process Each puzzle image is mounted on quarter-inch plywood, and then laser-cut to our puzzle design. The puzzles are then carefully disassembled by hand and boxed for shipping. Plywood is generally favored by wood puzzle makers because the separate plies and glue give the panel strength. A solid wood panel will break or warp much more easily than plywood of the same thickness. Wooden Puzzles and Jigsaw Puzzle History Most people think of jigsaw puzzles as the die-cut, cardboard puzzles that are readily available in the market today. Before the advent of cardboard puzzles, almost all jigsaw puzzles were made of real wood and cut by hand. The United States has seen two prolonged jigsaw puzzle crazes, one in the early 1900s, and the next in the late 1920s and early 30s during the Great Depression. Jigsaw puzzle collectors prize old wooden jigsaw puzzles for their intricacy, craftsmanship, and the “heft” of the pieces. For the serious jigsaw puzzler, there is nothing quite as satisfying as plunking a wooden piece into place. Wooden jigsaw puzzles are still hand-cut today by a number of small companies, but are very expensive, running hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Liberty Puzzles was created to bring back the intricate wooden jigsaw puzzle at a reasonable price. A Note About Puzzle Images on the Box Traditionally, jigsaw puzzles came without a picture of the puzzle image on the box. Most simply had a title to tease the puzzler about what the image could possibly be. The image then unfolded as the puzzle was put together, creating greater satisfaction with the finished challenge. In the spirit of old jigsaw puzzles, we encourage you not to look at the box image when assembling our puzzles! In fact, if you so request we will ship your puzzle without an image on the box. Instead we’ll provide just a title and artist information, as well as the puzzle dimensions. Additionally, if you join one of our puzzle clubs where we ship you puzzles on a periodic basis, you have the option of choosing not to receive the images on the box. Puzzle Care If properly cared for, your puzzle will last for many years. Please use common sense. Keep your puzzle dry. Be careful when disassembling the pieces. Our whimsy pieces are intricate and can be fragile. If you have a broken or peeling piece, a bit of Elmer’s paper glue or any kind of wood glue should do the trick. Any “smoke” smell from the manufacturing process should dissipate quickly once the box is opened and the pieces air out. If you have questions or comments, please contact us. Thank You Thank you for your interest in Liberty Puzzles. We think you will be satisfied with the challenge of our puzzles, the intricacy of the pieces, and the overall quality of our product. Our larger puzzles make great group projects for family vacations, holidays, or just a quiet night with friends or family. |
