Topsy Turvy Puzzles of Carthage, Missouri (Exhibit now Closed)

Jigsaw puzzles experienced a second wave of popularity at the start of the 1930s (the first fad period for jigsaw puzzles was 1908-09) and were given away as advertising premiums, too, as the Peoples Oil ad attests below. For those who could not afford to buy puzzles, Ramsay's Department Store at 311 S. Main even had a rental library of the Topsy Turvy products.

Peoples Oil advertisement, c1930, offering free jigsaw puzzles with purchase of gasoline.

In an 1988 interview, although Mrs. Riley did not recall how much it cost to rent puzzles, she did remember that their products sold for a penny a piece. So, if a puzzle had 298 pieces, it sold for $2.98.

The Powers family were avid puzzle fans and gave the Riley's some of their 1910s and 1920s Parker Brothers "Pastime Puzzles" that were made in Salem, Massachusetts. These puzzles served as inspiration and examples for the Rileys when first learning the trade.

According to Riley and Powers family traditions, potential puzzle buyers went to the Riley home and selected their art prints which would be mounted on basswood, cut and sanded. Eventually, the Rileys began to mark their work with a letter "R" usually found in the lower right-hand corner. Boxes were green or mottled gray and labeled "Topsy Turvy."

1933 Christmas card puzzle sent to Marian Louisa Powers by her parents Dr. & Mrs. Powers.

Assorted Topsy Turvy puzzle pieces including signature R piece.

Topsy Turvy Puzzles displayed in 1990.

The arrival of a new Riley-made puzzle to the Powers home was a big event. A February 1933 letter to daughter Marian Louisa from her mother Marian Wright Powers remarked,

"Mrs. Riley came over bringing a puzzle they had just cut for me to try out. It was a beautiful picture, beautifully cut. The cutest pieces you ever saw, some brand new to me, and I think it stands next to the Parker Bros., and in fact was just as good. I saved it for Aunt Nyne [Nira Wright] and me to do Sunday afternoon, and we both were enthusiastic. Was sorry you did not get to try it."

It is not anticipated that these puzzles will be on display during 2010-2011.  If you wish to see an example when you visit the museum, please call the museum in advance of your visit.