Originally Signed Salvador Dali Jigsaw Puzzle by Springbok - Apparition of the Invisible Bust of Voltaire

Actually Signed by Salvador Dali himself in 1965!

TITLE:    Apparition of the Invisible Bust of Voltaire
ARTIST: Salvador Dali
SIZE:       20.25" (circular)
PIECES: 500
PRICE:    Please Inquire - Reasonable Offers Currently Being Considered
MADE BY: Springbok
DESCRIPTION: The title of this amazing find is “Apparition of the Invisible Bust of Voltaire”. It is a double-sided puzzle, in a circular box that is untouched in the original shrink wrap.

Accompanying the puzzle is a large (approx 25"x38") printer's proof of the puzzle image and box cover, SIGNED in ink by the renowned artist Salvador Dali.

Springbok Editions Inc. manufactured the puzzle in 1965. The lithographed jigsaw puzzle is in the original circular box, 14Ľ in diameter, puzzle is 20Ľ when assembled. The jigsaw puzzle image appears to be a group of women emerging from a tunnel but at closer range they transform into an "Apparition of the Invisible Bust of Voltaire". This is the first commissioned fine art puzzle made by Springbok Editions, later a division of Hallmark. There were two versions (issues) produced, this being version #1, with the bottom of the box containing a photo from the Bust of Voltaire. The other version has a photo of the puzzle and of Dali.

The signature on the proof is located at the bottom right (click on above image to enlarge). Dali's charmingly scrawled instruction "Bon a tirer" (bottom center) is a traditional term from the printing trade that literally translated means 'ready to pull'. The term designates the final authorization of a set of proofs by the artist before a print run begins. Thus this signed proof represents Dali's final authorization before the commissioned puzzle box and puzzle were executed by the printers.

The Springbok puzzle line was an enchanting little business that took a high leap in the public eye when in 1964 Bob and Katie Lewin published a Jackson Pollack image as a puzzle. Using the huge buzz over the Pollack, they then approached Dali who agreed to have his painting made into a puzzle with two stipulations: a) the Lewins needed to immediately produce a cage for his ocelot (a small leopard); and b) that they write an agreement between them that would be no more than one double spaced page.

The Puzzle House recently acquired this rare find through one of its friends. If you are interested in purchasing it please inquire by sending us an email at customerservice@puzzlehouse.com.

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