PURPLE MARTIN PUZZLES

Artistic Hand-Cut Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles

Not Just For Kids Any More!

Experience what jigsaw puzzles were like "Before Cardboard" from 1880 through 1950

[ Home ] [ Feedback ] [ Search ] 

News & Events Puzzle Types How Puzzles Are Made How To Order
The Puzzles Of Carlton Irick   Links To Other Sites Art Gallery

 

First created to teach children geography, wooden jigsaw puzzles have been around since the 1700’s.  At the peak of popularity in the 1930’s, there were approximately one million wooden jigsaw craftspeople worldwide. By the mid-1900’s, mass production, higher wages and the perfection of cardboard jigsaw puzzles forced this hand produced, one-of-a-kind fine craft to near extinction. 

I am proud to say that I am one of about 100 known wooden jigsaw puzzle craftspeople (or “cutters”) in North America today.  I am also proud to say that I am carrying on a family trade as my great–great Uncle Carlton Irick also cut wooden puzzles from 1900 through the late 1930’s. 

I began cutting puzzles as a hobby nearly 20 years ago and have been encouraged by family and friends to take my hobby to the professional level, which I have been doing for several years now.  

To date, I have cut many hundreds of puzzles, well over three hundred under the Purple Martin Puzzles name.  Each one is cut individually and no two are alike.  Putting together a wooden jigsaw puzzle is an experience not to be missed for anyone who enjoys a challenge.  Many customers and friends have told me that I have ruined their taste for cardboard jigsaw puzzles and that "cardboard just doesn't do anything for me anymore".  I take that as a compliment.

Welcome to the wonderful world of hand-cut wooden jigsaw puzzles!

Browse through my site to see what I have and am continuing to do - hand-cutting wooden jigsaw puzzles with the purpose of puzzling the puzzler!

Best Wishes - Clint Martin

 

AGPC     

The Association of Game and Puzzle Collectors

Member

 

Clint's Puzzles - The Early Years

I was rooting through the box of puzzles from my parents house that I thought only contained Uncle Carlton's puzzles when I came across this one.  First I thought how strange it was that Uncle Carlton cut one with 1/2" solid wood, next I thought it strange that bikini bathing suits were available in 1930's. Then it dawned on me, this puzzle was in a cigar box with "Quarters" written in my handwriting back when I had a paper route - I was 14 then; and that was around the same time I cut some puzzles using an old Dremel Hobby Scroll Saw, that was my grandfathers.  My parents kept this all those years!

Clint's Puzzles - The Early Years

Here is another one of my early puzzles. 

(Soon To Come)

Contact Information

Telephone
610 489 2842
FAX
610 489 2842
Electronic mail
General Information: puzzled@ purplemartinpuzzles.com
Webmaster: puzzled@ purplemartinpuzzles.com 

 

Hit Counter