Some Pastime boxes are dated on the inside label, but many are not. It is only by collecting the data from thousands of Pastime boxes with dates and identifying the patterns that we can begin to extrapolate when undated puzzles may have been made. Other research into specifics (when a particular company was in business or when Parker Brothers had offices in different locations) helps as well.
A couple things to be aware of when trying to date a box or confirm the date on a box:
1) Puzzles and box lids are easily switched so a puzzle may be in the wrong box.
2) Puzzlers sometimes write dates on the box or label. So the date written could be when it was assembled, though it is most likely when it was cut.
3) This chart is based on known information. The more puzzles that we add to the database, the more accurate and refined the chart can be.
4) If a row of the chart has a lighter and darker color, the lighter color means that attribute was less common during that time.
Chart for Dating Pastime Puzzles
This chart is up to date as of Sept 1, 2023. Much of the information gathered to produce this chart came from Anne D. Williams’ puzzle and data collection. Members of the Association for Games & Puzzles International can find more information on dating Pastimes in Anne Williams article “Pastime Puzzles and How to Date Them.” See the Spring 2023 issue of the AGPI Quarterly, pp. 16-20. Online access to the most recent 10 issues is limited to members only. Join AGPI here.
For personal use only.
