900, Philmar, Cattle Market

This is an old puzzle by Philmar, belonging to their Eclipse series. The title is Cattle Mark, but there is no reference to the artist on the box.

This puzzle is INCOMPLETE (935 pieces; 1 missing piece), and it is a good example of manufacturing defects. When I verified this puzzle, I got 937 pieces, so I put together the border pieces to know the exact number. The puzzle should have 936 pieces. I verified it a second time with the pieces facing down, since it is the most effective way to detect a foreign piece. However, I wasn’t able to detect it and decided to put it together. While I was assembling the puzzle, I found a duplicate piece, and I thought it was probably complete, but finished the puzzle just in case, because if there is a duplicate piece, there might be more than one. Unfortunately, that was the case with this puzzle: 2 duplicate pieces, and 1 missing piece. If you look closely, perhaps you can identify the 2 duplicate pieces on the puzzle photograph.

The pieces are in very good condition for a puzzle this old, but with signs that the puzzle has been assembled. The box is in good condition, with shelf wear and tape all along one of the edges.

More information about Cattle Market:

• Puzzle size: 29″ x 19 1/2″.
• Box size: 35.8 x 25.6 x 5.3 cm.
• Reference number: M 646.
• EAN number: N/A.