F - Informations

Sommaire :

F-1 - Prices of Vera Adult Puzzles

The charts below show the average selling prices achieved on eBay for Vera puzzles from the Rex series (traditional cut) and the Royal series (colour-line cut).

Several criteria have been applied before including a data point in these graphs:

Only puzzles described as complete and in good condition have been taken into account. These descriptions are based on the sellers' statements and have not been independently verified.
Only completed sales are included.
The observation period covers ten years. No adjustment has been made for inflation or changes in market value over time.
Only piece-count categories with at least three recorded sales during the observation period have been retained, ensuring that the calculated averages have a minimum statistical significance.

Two linear trend lines have been added to provide additional guidance. They offer an indication of the average selling price as a function of the number of pieces.

Puzzles from the Apollo and Art Moderne series may command a premium of approximately 10% to 25% compared with puzzles from the standard Royal series.

F-2 - Puzzle Cutter and Retailer Codes

F-2.1 - Observations :

During the early period—up to the disappearance of the Vera Puzzle and Vera Picture Puzzle back labels:

the codes printed in the upper part of the label (mainly on the left-hand side) were most likely retailer codes;
the codes printed in the lower part of the label (mainly on the left-hand side) were cutter identification codes (identifying the person who hand-cut the puzzle).

Later, the cutter identification code became standard and was generally stamped on the right-hand side of the label, preferably in the upper corner.

F-2.2 - Cutter Identification Codes

F-2.3 - Retailer Codes

F-3 - Vera and Other Puzzle Manufacturers

Vera collaborated with several foreign puzzle manufacturers through purchasing and licensing agreements:

The Swiss puzzle manufacturer Pénélope acquired a number of Walt Disney designs previously produced by Vera and adapted them for its own wooden puzzle range. These editions were typically issued with a higher piece count than the original Vera versions, resulting in more challenging puzzles while retaining the same artwork.

Pénélope : 80 p.

Vera : 20 p.

Pénélope : 60 p.

Vera : 25 p. ou 36 p.

Vera maintained reciprocal arrangements with the British puzzle manufacturer Ponda, under which designs and production models appear to have been exchanged between the two companies:
- Ponda marketed wooden puzzles that appear to have been manufactured by Vera, although no documentary evidence confirming this arrangement has yet been identified:

Ponda : 56 p.

Vera : 30 p.

- Through its subsidiary Fair Play (see following chapter), Vera acquired stand-up puzzles from the British manufacturer Ponda and subsequently integrated them into its own catalogue:

Ponda : Vera :

Zig-Zag Genève produced and sold cardboard puzzles using images obtained from Vera, illustrating the wider circulation of Vera designs beyond the company's own production.

Zig-Zag : carton

Vera : bois

F-4 - Fair Play

Founded in 1960, the company was registered with the Commercial Court under trade register number RC Seine 61 B 2652 and SIREN number 612 026 526 00014. Its principal activity was the exclusive importation and distribution of foreign toys. Throughout the 1960s and subsequent decades, the company promoted its products extensively through advertising campaigns in specialist trade publications.

Publicité Fair Play en première page de "La Revue du Jouet" - n° 108 - avril 1968

Robert Tchertoff appears to have been particularly successful in securing agreements with leading international toy manufacturers. Contracts with Fisher-Price, Jumbo Games, Malins Mamod and other well-known brands generated significant business for Fair Play and ensured a high level of profitability. It is reasonable to assume that this financial strength helped support Vera, with which Fair Play maintained close links throughout much of its history.

Première exposition des jouets Fisher Price - Foire de Lyon - 1960 - Photo extraite des archives Vera - Centre de Documentation des musées des Arts Décoratifs - Paris

The advertising layout was rapidly adopted in the form of a rosette, with each company represented by its name appearing in an individual petal.

Publicité Fair Play parue dans le n° 122 de janvier 1971 - revue "La Revue du Jouet"

The highly important distribution agreement with Fisher-Price came to an end in 1975 following the establishment of Fisher-Price France at Saint-Jean-de-Braye on 18 November 1975. The loss of this contract probably had a significant impact on Fair Play's business and, consequently, on Vera's financial situation. This deterioration may have contributed to Robert Tchertoff's decision to sell Vera in 1977.

In 1979, Fair Play employed 43 people, including 2 product managers, 6 regional sales directors, 9 sales representatives and 6 merchandisers. Robert Tchertoff remained Chairman of the company, while Mr Cazenobe served as Managing Director. Annual turnover amounted to 54.5 million French francs, divided between 55% permanent business and 45% seasonal business. Sales were distributed among wholesalers (45% of turnover), department stores (12%), hypermarkets (13%), independent retailers (12%), mail-order sales (6%), and variety stores (12%).

In 1980, the Fair Play brand was taken over by the company Ipso Facto – Fair Play SARL, registered with the Pontoise Trade and Companies Register under number B 338 240 914.

The company was struck off the Paris Trade Register on 6 June 1982.

F-5 - Special Characteristics

Vera puzzles are believed to have been among the favourites of several notable personalities, including King George VI of the United Kingdom, Prince Charles, and Brigitte Bardot.

Sources : Barbara Scott, Daniel Brisseau, Didier Guez, eBay, Francis Tchertoff, Geert Bekkering, Jacques Vélu, Marie-Anne Baschevici, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Michèle Wilson, Registre du Commerce, www.thejigasaurus.com

F-6 - Report a Puzzle

Use this cataloguing form to provide the exact dimensions, condition, and identifying markings of a Vera puzzle that is not yet recorded in our catalogue. Our team of volunteer archivists will review the information submitted and analyse your puzzle within seven working days.