Plywood picture-tray jigsaw puzzle, 'Beach', with 8 pieces, manufactured and sold by Paul & Marjorie Abbatt Ltd; England, early 1960's.

A wooden picture-tray jigsaw puzzle of a beach scene painted in light and dark blue, red, yellow, pink, black and white. Painted onto the base is a pale blue sea, yellow beach with red cliffs behind and two blue lobster pots in the foreground. Also painted onto the base are three people swimming in the sea, a black, red, blue and pink beach ball, a man and woman sitting on pink and white striped deck chairs and houses on the cliff. The jigsaw pieces consist of a house, a yacht, a lighthouse, a ship out at sea, a seagull perched on the lobster pots, and on the beach a dog, a boy in dungarees with a spade and girl in pink and white striped dress, pink hat and with a bucket. Each piece has a small, white, wooden knob attached by a metal pin. The puzzle is made from layers of plywood. The upper layer has been painted and machine cut to form the loose puzzle pieces and surround, the latter having been glued onto the unpainted base.

Given by Mary and Patrick Attenborough

This picture tray puzzle was produced by Paul and Marjorie Abbatt Ltd. It was sold by the Abbatts as one of their range of puzzles, and was first introduced in the early 1960's. It was bought from the Abbatt's toy shop at 94 Wimpole Street, London, by the donors for their children in the mid 1960's.

Historical significance: This puzzle is a good example of the type of well-designed wooden toys manufactured and sold by the Abbatts.

This jigsaw was sold by Paul and Marjorie Abbatt Ltd, as part of their range of picture-tray jigsaw puzzles. It first appeared in their catalogue in the early 1960's. The Abbatts had a reputation as pioneers and promoters of well-designed toys. This jigsaw was bought from their toyshop in Wimpole Steeet, London, by the donor's husband for his children in the mid-1960's.

B.195:1 to 9-2009