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Puzzle Detail Baffler Puzzles Chris Yates

About the Parleys

In the early 1990s relatively few craftspeople were cutting wooden jigsaw puzzles, and most were working in isolation. Rachel Page (Pagey) Elliott decided it was time to break down those barriers. She came up with the inspired idea of a "Puzzle Parley," a gathering together of jigsaw puzzle cutters to share ideas and experiences. She proposed this concept to Bob Armstrong and recruited him as organizer. Pagey and Bob, along with Debby Greeley (Pagey's sister) and Anne Williams, were the forces behind the first Parley in 1994. Below you will find documentation on the past Puzzle Parleys. You can use the side bar to navigate to specific Past Parleys.

Puzzle Detail image from Jardin Puzzles by Melinda Shebell
Puzzle Detail Jardin Puzzles Melinda Shebell

The 6th Puzzle Parley - New York City - Sep 28, 2002

9/29/2002

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Detail Springbok puzzle photo courtesy Bob Armstrong
The Sixth Puzzle Parley was held at the National Arts Club in NYC on Saturday, September 28, 2002. Barry Benepe served as local coordinator. Thirty seven people participated for the day including Penny Melling and Andrew Kershaw who came all the way from England. Another 10 people including several members of the Arts Club stopped by for short periods to see what was going on and view and buy puzzles.
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Andrew Kershaw and his puzzle tie
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Penny Melling Show and Tell
For most participants, the event actually started the night before with cocktails at the W Union Square Hotel followed by dinner at the Friend of the Farmer restaurant in the Union Square area of NYC.

Saturday morning featured a round table discussion at the National Arts Club led by Melinda Shebell and Mark Cappitella focusing on issues involved with cutting jigsaw puzzles. Over the lunch hour at the Club, Mark Cappitella set up a scroll saw and demonstrated cutting techniques before a fascinated group of onlookers. Meanwhile, puzzles to display or to sell were set up all around the room, forming a colorful backdrop for the meeting.
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The afternoon session began with Bob Armstrong showing slides of and explaining the 38 special techniques discussed in his article appearing in the March, June and September issues of the AGPC Quarterly. Anne Williams then discussed and presented slides of her research into the history of the Par Company, the " Rolls Royce of jigsaw puzzles. " Some of the audience had attended specially to learn about Par puzzles. After Anne's remarks, the traditional " Show and Tell " session was held with many attendees showing off their favorite jigsaw puzzle. The afternoon session ended with Table Sales and the room awash in jigsaw puzzles, both old and new. Because nearly 20 attendees actually cut puzzles, Table Sales presented a rare opportunity to study and compare their work and buy what most appealed, as well as the usual opportunity to buy lots of old puzzles for our collections.
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John Stokes and his display of Custom Puzzle Craft Puzzles
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Patsy Beffa-Negrini with the display of Fool's Gold Puzzles
The day's activities closed with cocktails at Barry Benepe and Judith Spektor's apartment on Jane Street, within walking distance of Union Square. It was then followed by dinner at a local Chinese restaurant. Barry and Judith set out puzzles to view and to assemble as well as ample wine, and everyone could unwind after a full day's activities.

Our sincere thanks go to the meeting's organizers, presenters and participants. Without them, such events (the only meetings in the states devoted exclusively to jigsaw puzzles) would not be possible.
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Figure pieces from Pastime Puzzle
Figure pieces from Pastime Puzzle
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    Past Parleys

    All
    1994 - 1st Concord
    1996 - 2nd Lexington
    1997 - 3rd Worcester
    1999 - 4th NYC
    2000 - 5th Katonah
    2002 - 6th NYC
    2004 - 7th Concord
    2007 - 8th San Fran
    2008 - 9th Sturbridge
    2010 - 10th Salem
    2012 - 11th Salem
    2014 - 12th Salem
    2016 - 13th Salem
    2018 - 14th Rochester
    2021 - 15th Virtual
    2022 - 16th Sturbridge

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For general information or questions, please contact us at info@puzzleparley.org. 
Website managed by Janell Amely.​
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