Description - One 1943 TUCO PUZZLE MINIATURE of a "Bridge in Denmark". No series number - just one of the Miniatures. The box face is completely covered by the picture, which wraps over the sides by two thirds. Labeling occupies the bottom third on all sides. Box labeling states:
- Puzzle size as 5-1/4" x 7", with 75 to 100 interlocking pieces (88 is the actual count)
- TRIPL-THICK Interlocking
- TUCO PUZZLE MINIATURES, with the TUCO Workshops Corporation logo and Lockport, New York, Made in U.S.A.
- Assembly Time: Each Puzzle - Average 45-60 Minutes, Skilled 35-45 Minutes, Genius 20-30 Minutes
- The puzzle title is in black text on a white rectangular block
Box size is 5-5/8" long x 3-3/4" wide x 1-1/2" deep. Puzzle backing is standard TUCO pink color. All the pieces are here (see photo).
Condition - The puzzle box is not sealed, puzzle has been used. Structurally, all puzzles pieces are in excellent condition - no separation or lifted edges. They are entirely clean with no marks. Several blue sky pieces show slight faded spots or discoloration, but no damage otherwise (see photo). The pieces fit tightly. The image is bright and clear (see photo). Structurally, the box is in good condition, but the right side of the face has approximately one inch of paper torn away exposing the gray chipboard beneath (see photo). There is some wear and chipping along edges and corners. Overall it has that "soft" feel from handling. Corners are strong and intact. The cover photo has an "old" look to it, like lesser quality photography. No price tag.
Backstory - TUCO was a subsidiary of The Upson Company in Lockport, NY which originally produced 3/16” wallboard for home construction. During the Great Depression when the home construction industry plummeted, the company innovated by producing die-cut puzzles from unused pieces of wallboard with pictures pasted to them. TUCO produced its first picture puzzle in 1932. The "Tripl-Thick" puzzles proved extremely popular and by 1933 the company was shipping over 50,000 puzzles every day, helping the company survive the Great Depression. The early non-interlocking puzzles were packaged in plain orange boxes and sold to S.S. Kresge Company in Detroit to sell in its stores. The puzzles sold for 69 cents instead of the competition’s puzzles that sold for over three dollars. TUCO puzzles were an immediate success. In fact, by 1933 the company was so successful that it shipped 50,000 puzzles each day. After 50 years in business the brand died, in 1983.
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