Beraton WWII Wartime Box Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle “A Dutch Scene” – 204 pcs View Watchlist >
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Lot # A929
System ID # 26182666
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Beraton WWII Wartime Box Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle “A Dutch Scene” – 204 pcs
A vintage Beraton wooden jigsaw puzzle titled “A Dutch Scene.” This attractive mid-20th-century example comprises 204 interlocking plywood pieces, each approximately ¼ inch thick, featuring the maker’s signature wavy edge border for added challenge. The puzzle remains housed in its original plain cardboard box, printed “WAR-TIME PACKING,” a mark of its manufacture and sale during the Second World War (1939–1945).
Produced in England, Beraton puzzles are recognized among collectors for their durable hand-cut plywood construction, tight interlocking fit, and scenic imagery. The company was active primarily in the 1930s and 1940s, likely based in Hove, East Sussex, and operated during the height of Britain’s golden age of wooden jigsaws. During WWII, toy and puzzle makers faced stringent material rationing, with paper, metal, and decorative packaging restricted by the government. Beraton—like contemporaries Victory and Chad Valley—adapted by using plain recycled card and minimal labeling, as seen here.
Such puzzles served as morale-boosting pastimes for families enduring blackouts and shortages, offering quiet entertainment at home. The “war-time packing” label on this example directly reflects those restrictions and is now an appealing feature for collectors of social-history objects. Beraton’s limited wartime output and distinctive cutting style make these puzzles increasingly scarce and historically valuable.
A fine and complete specimen of British puzzle craftsmanship under wartime austerity, appealing to collectors of vintage wooden jigsaws, early 20th-century toys, or WWII home-front memorabilia.
Condition:
Good overall and complete with all 204 pieces. Wooden pieces are solid, clean, and fit well together with only light handling wear. The original wartime box shows expected storage wear, including torn corners, edge rubbing, and light foxing, but remains structurally sound. Labeling is legible, including the “WAR-TIME PACKING” stamp.
Dimensions:
Box approximately 9.5 x 7 x 1.5 inches
