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Moderator Tom Boblitt
S. F. Hess.
N322 - Diadem Puzzle Cards
1880 era - 2 1/2 x 2 3/4
Contributors
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Joe Gonsowski
Bill Oliver
Todd Riley
Marty Krim
Tim Thornham

Fronts are the same for all puzzle backs of that denomination.
Five Denominations known - $1, $5, $10, $50, $100.
Images for the $100 denomination are not available at this time.

Below information was posted at the Non-Sports Forum by member Joe Gonsowski.
In May of 1890 it appears SF Hess began inserting puzzle cards
in packs of Diadem cigarettes. The card front explains the premise 
including "The Puzzle consists of matching together twelve (12)
of these cards so that one perfect Design, or Bond is formed".  

SF Hess issued these cards in "One", "Five", "10", "50", and "100" 
dollar denominations for which cash would be awarded at the stated
amount upon completion. Surely there was a chase puzzle card like
nearly all of these early redemption offers, making completion difficult.  
All told, there would be 60 different cards to complete all five puzzles.

Flipping to the back, here is evidence that some of the puzzle's 
perimeter pieces are largely the same.  This being the upper left hand 
corner of the puzzle (row 1, column 1 within a 3 row, 4 column, puzzle).

It is evident that the top and bottom rows are similar in content for 
each denomination (different color, denomination stated on each card)
whereas the middle row appears to utilize at least one of two different 
designs or layouts.  While the Five and 50 dollar puzzle cards 
appear similar in design they differ from the One dollar layout.  

Completing the middle row would be interesting for each denomination with 
some of the uniqueness spilling over into some of the bottom row cards.
 

Composit by Tin Thornham






























































Images for the $100 denomination are not available as of September 2023.