Attempted Bloggery: Inner Sanctum Picture Puzzles by Peter Arno, Tony Sarg, Otto Soglow, and William Steig

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Inner Sanctum Picture Puzzles by Peter Arno, Tony Sarg, Otto Soglow, and William Steig

In 1933, Simon & Schuster published four Inner Sanctum Picture Puzzles. These were jigsaw puzzles with interlocking pieces "happily matched" in some unusual but relevant shapes. The black and white images displayed on the box covers teasingly hint at the full color pictures to be seen once the 300-piece puzzles are completed. The comic artists involved in the project were Peter Arno, Tony Sarg, Otto Soglow, and William Steig.

First up is none other than Arno, whose work in The New Yorker was extremely popular. His puzzle is titled Peek-a-Boo! Arno suggestively builds on his reputation as a ribald cartoonist. "This is the story of the Bounder and the Bothered Beauties," the promotional copy on the box cover reads, suggesting something naughty within.

"Note: This is a very small section of the picture you will find in the box."

Peter Arno
eBay listing ended November 30, 2024

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375812493660?_skw=Peter+Arno+Press+Photo&itmmeta=01JE01XZH3JFDMNHA6DXBB1YC6&hash=item57802b915c:g:encAAOSwAW9nL61H&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmI%2BLE7Xasrm0ZL%2BB3Rn2qqWl3G%2BtaHw

eOyxK%2Fg6ZMR3oAEaNt9fmz1NXhudffgdna1gM1H1dEDWjQ%2FHtXPk6HAZAJ6cztSjU7AkbpfEjQuca9j2XfDsR7D6Di%2BhIz8ubTqoLdLI%2F05LiENpsCA15gX6C9A3xgYyBFC0yOH7555qEsWN3Rxwo1%2FJtghaQonZ9UQIGL8D1koWf9xxmpjk7qg%2FOCi2s7pKu97MjOUmWueVkp8

NRKkb%2BD3CT34xPiwehA%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR87494HwZA

Peter Arno
eBay item description

[End of eBay listing]

It has since been relisted at a discount.

There is a much better image of the completed puzzle in an old eBay listing archived on Worthpoint:

"Peek-a-boo!"
Peter Arno

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-1933-inner-sanctum-picture-470003245

"Peek-a-boo!"
Peter Arno

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-1933-inner-sanctum-picture-470003245

Picture Puzzle no. 2, is called Animals in a Speakeasy. The image is by Tony Sarg who was well known as an illustrator and puppeteer.

Tony Sarg's signature indicates a 1932 date of creation.

Animals in a Speakeasy
Tony Sarg

Animals in a Speakeasy
Tony Sarg

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/tony-sarg-1933-inner-sanctum-picture-510059375

An example is currently available on Facebook Marketplace for $29 plus shipping:

Animals in a Speakeasy
Tony Sarg

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/427154176254687/

Otto Soglow's Little King is featured on the last of the Picture Puzzles, no. 3. It is called King on Roller Skates. Happily, Shay's Puzzle Workshop has great images of the box and the completed puzzle here.

King on Roller Skates
Otto Soglow

No. 4, then, is Oompah! by William Steig. Images of this puzzle are on the flickr account of dajavous. I had to rotate them for your viewing pleasure.