Somerville (& Somerville Belkin)
London, Ontario
N6A 4T2

 

The Somerville name was dominant in jigsaw puzzles for at least 30 years. It appears that Somerville produced various series of puzzles that were original Canadian puzzles while at the same time using images from other jigsaw puzzle lines. There is also a merger between Copp Clarke and Somerville at some point but I'm not sure who bought whom out.

I will list the various “series” of puzzles that Somerville put out in alphabetical order with some notation about chronological order if I can figure it out. Somerville appears to have used the same number for various series for some time with the same serial number but issuing different images. I will not normally elaborate on a series that appears to be non-Canadian images and simply another manufacturer's product being sold under the Somerville name. Please note that I am just starting this webpage so there is far more that I don't know than I do know. Click any highlighted text to go to an image.

Click here for page trying to track the history of Somerville Logo.

Acadian series S-400 (or S-409)

A limited series of 1500 pieces (30 1/2" x 23 1/2") that seem to be generic images. With a name like Acadian, you'd hope they would be Canadian images but I think Lizard Pass is in AZ or CO while Orton is in NC. The titles in this series from the box are:

Artist series 800A and S800

There are a number of variations to the Artist series with no numbering system to tell them apart. I will list them as I think they were issued due to a few generalities and just assign a letter to identify them.

Version A Series #: S-800
14 x 19 (no metric)
No French
NO logo
Written style ARTIST logo
Made in Canada
Litho in USA
Called "deluxe jigsaw puzzle"
Puzzles listed in this series are:

Version A2 Series #: S-800
14 x 19 (no metric)
No French
No Somerville logo
Written style ARTIST logo
Made in Canada
Litho in USA
Called "deluxe jigsaw puzzle"
A different series of puzzles listed in this series:

Version B Series #: S-800
14 x 19 (no metric)
No French
Common squarish logo (the only thing that makes it different)
Written style ARTIST logo
Made in Canada
Litho in USA
Called "deluxe jigsaw puzzle"
Puzzles listed in this series are:

Version C Series #: 800A
14 x 19 (no metric)
No French
Common squarish logo
Block style ARTIST logo
Made in Canada
Litho in USA
Called "jigsaw puzzle"
Puzzles listed in this series are:

Version D Series #: 800A

This is a series but the other titles are not listed on the side of the box. (I have illustrated the logo to compare to that on the Copp Clark puzzles. Also see the Canada Games series of the same name.) They are over 450 pieces (14” x 19” – 35.6 cm x 48.3 cm. There appears to be two different series - I suspect this series is exclusively Canadian images. I have two in this series:

Version E series #: 800A?

Similar to the above but boxes say 460 pieces (14" x 14") and list the titles in the series on the side of the box. The above two titles do not appear. This series looks generic:

Special Note. That last paragraph was typed when I saw one of the boxes. However I have a puzzle that fits the list below but does not conform to what I said in my previous email. THe one I have is 800A with 460 pieces making a 14"x19" image. The "artist" logo looks nothing like version D. I have only seen:

Beautyland series (999)

There are at least three variations of boxes found in this series but I don't know if the images are different. I don't think the images are Canadian. It is a series of 750 pieces (20 ½” x 19 ¼” – 52 cm x 49 cm).

Box Style A. I suspect a younger series since it is bilingual, includes metric measurements and a postal code in address. Have only seen one puzzle in this format:

Covered Bridge, Jackson NH (name is on bridge in image). Unfortunately the box is mistakenly titled “Valley Forge State Park” which is in PA. This box has the square Sommerville logo on it.

Box Style B.Simiar to the above but metric is downplayed and there is no postal code in the address. The boxes look older and are larger. This box has the square Sommerville/Bekin logo on it. The two I've seen are:

Bushey Park, England.
Freshly Painted (covered bridge).

Box Style C. Boxes with the Canadian provincial coat-of-arms around the side of the box. The Newfoundland coat-of-arms is included so puzzles likely printed after 1949. This will likely become a separate series once I find more information as the serial number is S999. The one I've seen is:

The Forest Primeval

The Big Ben series (no #)

Big Ben is a well known series that has been around for many years and produced under different companies but always with the Big Ben series name. The image of Big Ben tower has always been part of its identity. Somerville produced some puzzles under this name but called it “The Big Ben”. Puzzles are approximately 1000 pieces (20 x 28). “Litho in USA” “made in Canada”. Can’t see anything to identify it at this time. Unilingual English. Titles in the series are:

Canadian Splendour series #996

A series of 600 pieces (20”x24”). Box says “Picture Scenes Courtesy of CN”. “Litho in Canada” “Made in Canada”. Box says copyright 1965. This series, as listed on the side of the box includes:

There is another box with the same series #(996) and the same number of pieces and dimensions but has a completely different list of series titles:

A third box with the same series #(996) and the same number of pieces and dimensions but has a different list of series titles:

Chateau series 800C

I will need to clarify this series. I had originally written only "A series of apparently American images. The one I saw was entitled "3 in a boat"." I no longer have this puzzle but I'm sure it was a photograph.

However I have just picked up another one and the image is a drawing called "Winter Patterns" and is a sleigh crossing a covered bridge. The logo is Script somerville and the box says "Somerville Industries Limited". It is still series 800C. No metric. No bilingual.

On the side of the box the following puzzles are listed:

Challenge series #850

Only one variations found so far: 20" x 16" (no metric)
500 pieces
No French
Common squarish logo
Made in Canada
Litho in USA
Called "jigsaw puzzle"
"Sure-Lox" is marked on box top
Puzzles listed in this series are:

Classic series S-995 & 995

I have seen different types of Classic series puzzles. The chronological order appears to be:

Series A (#S-995). A series of 750 pieces (20” x 21”). Doesn’t say anything about being made or litho in Canada or anywhere else. No address for Somerville. No French translation. This looks like another series just sold under the Somerville name – since one puzzle is the Teton’s then I suspect American. The puzzles in the series as listed on the side of the box are:

A second puzzle almost identical to the above does have the Somerville Script logo on it which I don't mention for the above but that might be an oversight. The puzzles on this second box are:

Series B (#995). Also 750 pieces (21" x 20"). Says "Made in Canada" and gives the London, Ontario address for Somerville. No French translation. Says "Sure-Lox". No logo. The puzzles in the series as listed on the side of the box are:

Series C (#995). Still 750 pieces but now 20.5" x 19.5" and metric 52 cm x 49 cm although the latter is very small and the former 6 times the size. Box is bilingual completely. Says made in Canada for Somerville Industries Limited and the logo is the bilingual logo. The puzzles are not listed on the side of the box. The one I have is:

Winter Sleigh Ride

Note: The covered bridge illustrated in this puzzle is at Wakefield, Quebec. Apparently only Quebec had covered bridges with this style of truss. This bridge burnt down and has been replaced with a red bridge. Information from Jim Reinoehl who had the great covered bridge jigsaw puzzle site at http://members.aol.com/jreinhl.

Series D (#H225). Almost identical to the above. Still 750 pieces and 20.5" x 19.5" and metric 52 cm x 49 cm although the latter is very small and the former 6 times the size. Box is bilingual completely. Says made in Canada for Copp Clark Limited but the logo says "Somerville Copp Clark". Likely should be in Copp Clark and I might move it there. The puzzles are not listed on the side of the box. The one I have is:

Farming Country

Continental series (999)

A series of 850 pieces of American images.

Dominion Series (909)

A series of over 1000 pieces that makes a 28" x 21" (71cm x 52cm) puzzle. With a series name such as this I suspect all will be Canadian images. Put out by Somerville-Belkin but there is no logo on the box. It just says on the side "Somerville Belkin Industries Lt." Bilingual, metric and with postal code. The only one I have seen to date is:

British Columbia Salmon Seiner

Gem series 440 and S-440

I’ve found two puzzles with the two different numbers on them. I think they are American puzzles just issued in Canada. They say “litho in USA” but nowhere say “Made in Canada”. Also Somerville did tend to use Canadian spelling but on the site of the box colourings is spelt the American way.

440 Series

The Way Westward
Back at Camp
First Spring

This series looks like the more recent with a box slightly more elaborate than S-440 in some ways. A slightly different Somerville logo and the box says “About 200 pieces” and give the size as 10 ¼” x 12 ¼”. Notes the pieces are “Sure-Lox”. Does not list the other puzzles in the series. On a minor note, on the box of "Back at Camp" is a Christmas sticker of 2 snowmen. While they are not dated I remember these stickers from when I was a boy in the late 1950's to the early 1960's. I know these could be old stickers used on a more recent puzzle but they personally help me think of these puzzles circa 1960.

S-440 Series

The First Bite

This box looks older and doesn’t contain certain information. It doesn’t give the size of the puzzle. Does not say “sure-lok”. Has a different Somerville logo on it. Neither series gives any address or contact information. But this box does list the others in the series.

Giant series S-900

A series of 2000 piece puzzles (24"x40")available in various forms.

There is an older form that I've never made notes on but will the next time I see it. I thought I already had this style listed.

Another version has the name Somerville was on the box but there is no logo on the box. The one I've seen was titled "Yosemite Valley".(See Copp Clarke.)

A third version has the Somerville Belkin logo on it. I saw one #986 and called Horseshoe Bay. Had postal code on address.

Handy series S-400 (or S-409)

Small puzzles whose number of pieces are not mentioned. Comes in a small 61/2”x 4”x 2” box. Box is plain with B&W image on the front although the puzzle is in colour. No date on box but in handwriting it reads Christmas 1943 and New Years 1944. Says “Made in Canada”. Overall the feel and quality of a war-time shortage of all goods including paper. Titles in the series leave the impression that the series is Canadian especially one called Yo Ho Sky Line which I can only assume is Yoho National Park.

London Series (800L)

This is another series of puzzles issued under the same name with similar boxes but different lists of puzzles on the box with no way of identifying the series. Also see the London Deluxe series (S-800L) listed next.

Version A Series: 800L
14 x 19 (no metric)
460 pieces
No French
Common squarish logo
Notes "sure-lox"
Made in Canada
Litho in USA
Called "jigsaw puzzle"
Puzzles listed in this series are:

Version B Series: 800L
14 x 19 (no metric)
460 pieces
No French
Common squarish logo
Notes "sure-lox"
Made in Canada
Litho in USA
Called "jigsaw puzzle"
Puzzles listed in this series are:

Version C Series: 800L
These puzzles are 460 pieces (14" x 19") the same as the Deluxe series. The titles in this series according to the box are:

Version D Series: 800
These puzzles are over 450 pieces (14" x 19") in metric and bilingual. No titles listed on the box. New "London" logo. Has the Somerville Jeu/Games bilingual logo. The one I've seen is:

Winter's Beauty

I was given the following list of puzzles from a London series box with a script logo but don't know which version above it would apply to:

Another series with variation so I'll assign letters. Version A

The first one I saw was “Man’s Best Friend” which is a Guild puzzle from the USA. However that series contained a number of military related images but the titles in this series, as listed on the box, don’t seem to match. These puzzles are approximately 460 pieces (14” x 19”). Man’s Best Friend was released by Guild in the 1940’s so this is likely the same time period.

A series of panorama puzzles of 500 pieces (10 3/8” x 28”). Says “Made in Canada”. No way to date them from the box although they are non-metric, non-bilingual and non-postal code. Handwriting on one box says "March 13, 1966".

There might have been various releases in this series since the titles on the boxes never seem to fully match. Some lists include titles on other boxes but then some new ones. Others list a title for a puzzle similar but not identical to another title so you don’t know if there are two puzzles or just one that has been named differently. I'll keep track of the titles on various boxes to see if there is a pattern.

Royal series (S-500)

This looks like an older series of approximately 275 pieces making a puzzle 10 x 14. I suspect it is during the war years since the box has the look of that age with simple design and B&W image on the cover. Definately pre bilingual and metric. Titles listed on the side of the box are generic and include the Grand Canyon. Does not say "made in Canada" but some text (i.e. "colours") indicates it is:

Somerville Puzzles

Some puzzles put out by Somerville do not seem to be part of a series. They are "stand-alones". The following are the ones that I think are individual puzzles.

Windsor series (800)

Just as with the London/London Deluxe series, there appears to be both a deluxe and non-deluxe series. This series is 450 pieces (19" x 14"). I saw two titles in one series were potentially Canadian but could be anywhere. I do not have any further information:

There is another Somerville box labeled "Windsor" but the box and Windsor logo look much more recent. It is #800 W (see below) but the word "deluxe" does not appear on it. The puzzles on the side of the box are listed as:

  • An Anglers Dream
  • Cliffs Place
  • Hoover Dam and Lake Mead
  • Arches National Monument
  • Autumn & Waterfall
  • Off To The Chase
  • Dairyland
  • Well Done
  • Lookout Mountain

    A second book identical in format to the above lists the following puzzles:

  • Covered Bridge
  • Alta Lake
  • King of the Herd
  • Red Cliffs
  • Crater Lake
  • The First Encounter
  • Canvas Backs
  • Out of the Sumac
  • Autumn Countryside

    There may be an intermediate series between Windsor and Windsor Deluxe. It is also numbered 800W (as above) and is called "Windsor Deluxe Jigsaw Puzzle" but the "deluxe" is small and more a descriptor of the puzzle than a series name. I don't know if this is the version that came out before the one below but it might be one that came out later. The one I have actually looks younger than the ones below. The series listed on the box is:

  • Out of the Sumac
  • Muskies Lair
  • King of the Herd
  • Working the Field
  • Rural Road
  • Down Elm Lane
  • Reflections of Sping
  • Azure Inlet
  • Grouse and New Fallen Snow

    There may be still another intermediate series. It is numbered S-800W and the word "deluxe" is similar to the above. Contains a puzzle that is 460 pieces and makes a puzzle 14"x19". This box does not have any Somerville logo on it. The one I have looks old as does the style of image on the box. The series listed on the box is:

  • Beyond the Country Road
  • Water Sports
  • Ermine Glad Mt. Baker
  • Country Beauty
  • High Flyers
  • Summer Evening Vista
  • Glacier Lake
  • A New Friend
  • Panorama Americana

    I found a second puzzle identical to the above but with the following puzzles listed:

  • Grand Canal of Venice
  • Yosemite Valley
  • Monte Christo
  • Now the Flush
  • Tranquil Vale
  • Country Life
  • Western Paradise
  • Villa by the Mediterranean
  • O'er New Fallen Snow

    Windsor Deluxe series (S-800)

    Another series that is likely from somewhere else. Puzzles are approximately 460 pieces (19” x 14”). Says “Litho in USA” but “Made in Canada”. Has BLOCK somerville logo on it. Titles in the series are:

    A second box identical to the above was found but listed the following puzzles:

    World Scenes series 994

    A series of 600 pieces (20" x 24") of famous world locations which include from the box: