DSC01811 BCD Nov19 Auction Lot24 VTH Maids of Kent Mock Turtle's Story adj
Lot 24 – Maids of Kent VTH, The Mock Turtle’s Story, Alice in Wonderland, 886pc, 30x19.5in, original box,front cover, est£180 – START £200 MADE £760
This was the jigsaw expected to make the highest price at auction and it did not disappoint. The jigsaw, dating to c1925, was chosen for the front cover of Tom Tyler's book British Jigsaw Puzzles of the 20th Century. Another similar scene from the Alice in Wonderland series was brought to an earlier BCD House Party (see next photo in the album).
"V.T.H." Puzzles were named after the two women who created them - Vera Tassell and Helen Helmore (later to become known as the "Maids of Kent"). They operated initially under from 25, The Precincts, Canterbury (as stated on this label) but later moved to 29, St Margaret's Street, Canterbury. They also ran a jigsaw lending library. Vera Tassell was born in August 1883 and died a spinster in 1975 in Canterbury. Helen Helmore was born in December 1889.
You can see more examples of VTH jigsaws on Jigasaurus:
www.thejigasaurus.com/jigasaurus/v/vth/
Dave Cooper, cutter, enthusiast and former owner of the British Jigsaw Library, passed away this summer and his most prestigious jigsaws were auctioned at the November 2019 BCD Meeting. 31 puzzles formed 28 lots - all of which were sold. Tom Tyler was the auctioneer and overseas and absent members were able to make postal or 'book' bids. Most of the lots were sold to UK members, but some will be leaving Britain. A high proportion of the lots were vintage Holtzapffel jigsaws - guaranteeing a high turnout for the meeting.
DSC01811 BCD Nov19 Auction Lot24 VTH Maids of Kent Mock Turtle's Story adj
Lot 24 – Maids of Kent VTH, The Mock Turtle’s Story, Alice in Wonderland, 886pc, 30x19.5in, original box,front cover, est£180 – START £200 MADE £760
This was the jigsaw expected to make the highest price at auction and it did not disappoint. The jigsaw, dating to c1925, was chosen for the front cover of Tom Tyler's book British Jigsaw Puzzles of the 20th Century. Another similar scene from the Alice in Wonderland series was brought to an earlier BCD House Party (see next photo in the album).
"V.T.H." Puzzles were named after the two women who created them - Vera Tassell and Helen Helmore (later to become known as the "Maids of Kent"). They operated initially under from 25, The Precincts, Canterbury (as stated on this label) but later moved to 29, St Margaret's Street, Canterbury. They also ran a jigsaw lending library. Vera Tassell was born in August 1883 and died a spinster in 1975 in Canterbury. Helen Helmore was born in December 1889.
You can see more examples of VTH jigsaws on Jigasaurus:
www.thejigasaurus.com/jigasaurus/v/vth/
Dave Cooper, cutter, enthusiast and former owner of the British Jigsaw Library, passed away this summer and his most prestigious jigsaws were auctioned at the November 2019 BCD Meeting. 31 puzzles formed 28 lots - all of which were sold. Tom Tyler was the auctioneer and overseas and absent members were able to make postal or 'book' bids. Most of the lots were sold to UK members, but some will be leaving Britain. A high proportion of the lots were vintage Holtzapffel jigsaws - guaranteeing a high turnout for the meeting.