Par & Pastime wooden puzzles
Par and Pastime made hand-cut wooden jigsaw puzzles. Pastime was a Parker Brothers line from the early and middle 1900s. Par is famous for fine cutting and fun figure pieces shaped like animals, letters and objects. These are the old puzzles serious collectors want most.
What to look for
- The label
- Look for the maker's name, the puzzle title and the number of pieces on the box label. These help you check that the puzzle is all there.
- Complete or not
- Count the pieces if you can, or ask the seller to. Old wooden puzzles often have a few pieces missing or replaced. Missing pieces lower the price a lot.
- Figure pieces
- Par and Pastime puzzles often have pieces shaped like little figures. A puzzle with lots of clear figure pieces is more fun to collect.
- Condition
- Check for chipped edges, loose paper on the wood, fading and a worn box. An original box in good shape adds value.
- Sealed vs open
- These puzzles are very rarely sealed. Most were done many times, so the key question is completeness, not plastic wrap.
What they've sold for
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Single Par puzzle | $470 | Skinner, 2007 ↗ |
| Three Par wooden puzzles | $3,750 | Brunk Auctions, 2023 ↗ |
| Lot of six Par puzzles | $4,253 | Skinner, 2012 |
| Two Par puzzles | $900 | Brunk Auctions, 2024 |
| Three Parker Bros. Pastime puzzles | about $125 | Pook & Pook ↗ |
| Complete 1932 Pastime puzzle | about $115 | K-BID |
These are past results, not price quotes. Prices depend on condition and whether every piece is there.
Where collectors hang out
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