Jigsaw puzzle:Compulsory Education

Philadelphian George W. Fiss and his nephew, G.W. Fiss Jr., both cut puzzles during the first wave of jigsaw puzzle popularity during the early years of the 20th century in America. The younger Fiss cut a puzzle from a large print issued by Pear's Soap in 1910. Both men's puzzles are difficult to assemble but this particular puzzle undoubtedly posed an extra problem. Fiss cut a spider web pattern in the upper left quadrant of the puzzle, easily visible in the dark brown color of that area. So many similar pieces to puzzle out! George W. Fiss's puzzle notebook (also in the Strong's collection) shows that they cut a total of 114 puzzles between 1909 and 1921 and loaned them to family and friends.