The Original JigSaw Puzzle Club Cornwall & London Cuts & Labels 14
The British Original Jigsaw Club(s) of Cornwall & London were the subject of an article by Nicki Barker in the Spring 2023 issue of the BCD Magazine (issue 148,pg 14-15). Subsequent information received from Anne Williams confirms identity of the Rowes (Ashley & Kathleen) as Mr & Mrs Aldon Roen, and a link to Aldon Studios.
The fantastic late cut (by AB) shown in the left column was discovered by USA expert Anne Williams. Its label has the same format as two others with earlier stock numbers, which date the club to 1909 and both name the Rowes as proprietors - one from Cornwall and the other in London. Interestingly, the Cornwall label has the printed address 'Scorrier' crossed out and amended in ink with Mount Hawke. Perhaps this is an earlier address!
The Cornish examples both have the advice to 'Re-Tie the Bag' printed on the label. The London Club map of Europe jigsaw, which has dated replacement pieces putting its cutting date pre-Sept 1922, has no such advice, but the other London example has a label talking about a bag - possibly implying the introduction of a bag where one was not previously used. Unfortunately, the identity of the cutter (K?) or stock number K53184? is not clear or in the same format as the Cornish Labels.
A European map would have been of great interest after the redrawing of country boundaries during the conferences and treaties ending the Great War. The cut of this jigsaw is similar to that of the Valley Church. The Escape of a Heretic shows some line-cutting and a push-fit style with less defined knobs - it is closer in style to the example shown in the BCD magazine of the monks fishing, belonging to the London Club but listing Mrs Aldon Roen as proprietor.
Anne Williams found information about Aldon Studios from Games and Toys, a Feb 1917 Trade Magazine. It gave the address as 263 Regent St W, and described them as specialists in jigsaw puzzles, 'unique little figures cut in 3ply wood', makers of 'Eve' figures and 6d calendars.
An undated London Directory: "First Aldon Studios & Jig Saw Puzzle Club (Ashley & Kathleen Rowe, 24 Great Russell St WC )."
The Original JigSaw Puzzle Club Cornwall & London Cuts & Labels 14
The British Original Jigsaw Club(s) of Cornwall & London were the subject of an article by Nicki Barker in the Spring 2023 issue of the BCD Magazine (issue 148,pg 14-15). Subsequent information received from Anne Williams confirms identity of the Rowes (Ashley & Kathleen) as Mr & Mrs Aldon Roen, and a link to Aldon Studios.
The fantastic late cut (by AB) shown in the left column was discovered by USA expert Anne Williams. Its label has the same format as two others with earlier stock numbers, which date the club to 1909 and both name the Rowes as proprietors - one from Cornwall and the other in London. Interestingly, the Cornwall label has the printed address 'Scorrier' crossed out and amended in ink with Mount Hawke. Perhaps this is an earlier address!
The Cornish examples both have the advice to 'Re-Tie the Bag' printed on the label. The London Club map of Europe jigsaw, which has dated replacement pieces putting its cutting date pre-Sept 1922, has no such advice, but the other London example has a label talking about a bag - possibly implying the introduction of a bag where one was not previously used. Unfortunately, the identity of the cutter (K?) or stock number K53184? is not clear or in the same format as the Cornish Labels.
A European map would have been of great interest after the redrawing of country boundaries during the conferences and treaties ending the Great War. The cut of this jigsaw is similar to that of the Valley Church. The Escape of a Heretic shows some line-cutting and a push-fit style with less defined knobs - it is closer in style to the example shown in the BCD magazine of the monks fishing, belonging to the London Club but listing Mrs Aldon Roen as proprietor.
Anne Williams found information about Aldon Studios from Games and Toys, a Feb 1917 Trade Magazine. It gave the address as 263 Regent St W, and described them as specialists in jigsaw puzzles, 'unique little figures cut in 3ply wood', makers of 'Eve' figures and 6d calendars.
An undated London Directory: "First Aldon Studios & Jig Saw Puzzle Club (Ashley & Kathleen Rowe, 24 Great Russell St WC )."