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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 7th Puzzle Parley - Concord, MA - Sep 11, 2004

9/13/2004

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Detail of Pagey Elliott commemorative puzzle
The seventh meeting since 1994 of puzzle cutters, collectors, enthusiasts, dealers was held on September 11, 2004 at the Colonial Inn in Concord, MA. Nearly 70 people, easily the largest attendance ever, attended the all day session which featured:​
  • 2-hour Round table discussion of cutting issues among 25 puzzle makers
  • Presentation by Sarah Holmes, expert handwriting examiner for Pentec, Inc., analyzing and comparing the cutting styles and handwriting of current puzzle makers
  • Presentation honoring 91 year old and still active puzzle maker, Pagey Elliott of Pagemark Puzzles, for her many contributions to the jigsaw puzzle world
  • A behind-the-scenes account from Bob Armstrong, on the recording of the PBS National TV segment "History Detectives" on July 2003, featuring his puzzle "Best of the Season". He also shared the segment so we could see the finished product
  • Histories prepared by Anne Williams of four leading Boston area puzzle makers: Marjorie Bouve, Isabel Ayer, Margaret Richardson, and Parker Brothers (Pastime puzzles). Histories were based on sections which will be appearing in Anne's new book on jigsaw puzzles, available soon through Amazon.com and Walmart.com books.
  • " Show and Tell " followed by " Table Sales " of old and new puzzles.
PictureSarah Holmes talking on cutting-style analysis
Easily, the highlight of the meeting was the presentation to Pagey Elliott of a huge puzzle brilliantly designed by Melinda Shebell. Seventeen puzzle makers around the country had cut individual sections of a scene featuring Pagey's favorite breed of dog, the Golden Retriever. Pagey was totally surprised by the presentation but had the presence of mind at age 91 to recite an appropriate poem as part of her thank you remarks!

​The Saturday meeting was preceded by two Friday morning restoration workshops at Bob and Hildegard Armstrong's house in Worcester, MA with nearly 25 people attending. Some of whom also visited and viewed the 19th century puzzles at the nearby American Antiquarian Society. This was followed Friday afternoon with an open house at Melinda and John Shebell's house in Stow, MA with 50 people attending. Drinks and dinner were held at the Colonial Inn Friday night for early arrivals.

After Saturday's all-day meeting, nearly 60 people stayed for drinks and the banquet at the Inn. This culminated in a light-hearted presentation of "Bob Armstrong's 10 most controversial opinions re: jigsaw puzzles".

Sunday morning was marked by an Open House at Bob and Hildegard's house with 40 attendees stopping by, some of whom Bob treated to a "mini-restoration workshop".

All through the three days magnificent jigsaw puzzles, both old and new, were displayed everywhere. Truly a feast for the attendees who went home with new additions to their collections, more knowledge about puzzles, and new friends in the puzzle world!

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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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Website managed by Janell Amely.​
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