A Puzzling Piece

Written By Barbara Doyle

At sometime in the museum’s history, an unknown donor gifted the museum this puzzle. When the item was entered into the catalogue in 2013, it was not photographed, so when an employee found them item in July 2025, it wasn’t known if the puzzle was complete or if pieces were missing. Due to the packaging design, there was no way to know what the puzzle even looked like. It was pieces in a box. Fortunately, the summer employee was able to piece it together, and now finally, the history of the puzzle and the artist can be told.

KLMA 2013.69.1 Jig-Saw Puzzle

The name Jenny Lind will be familiar to anyone who remembers candies before 1965 and anyone who might be fans of P.T. Barnum or Gordon Lightfoot. In his 1986 song, “A Lesson in Love”, Lightfoot sings, “Remember when Mr. Barnum presented Jenny Lind / They named a candy after her, a circus after him.” (Listen to the song here.) Though the movies fictionalized Barnum’s romantic relationship, Jenny Lind was a real person.

Born Johanna Maria Lind on 6 October 1820 in Sweden, Jenny Lind became world-famous as a soprano and known as the “Swedish Nightingale.” After gaining popularity in Europe, P. T. Barnum invited her to perform across North America, which she did and her popularity soared. At the height of her fame, she enchanted Mendelssohn and inspired the world over. Her name today can be found applied to streets, islands, furniture, and yes, as Lightfoot sang, candy.

The Jenny Lind Candy company was founded in 1930 by Ernest G. Robinson. Robinson began his career in the candy industry in 1907 and at age 21 he became general manager of William Neilson Co. Ltd, of Toronto. In 1912, he left Neilson’s and started his own company, Willards Chocolates Ltd, and remained general manager of for 15 years before starting Jenny Lind in 1930. The company’s headquarters was located at 301 Lansdowne Avenue, Toronto. (Globe and Mail, 16 August 1947)

The first store opened on Friday 17 October 1930, with 25-30 more stores open across Ontario by Christmas of that year, and 70 within the following year. (Financial Post, 16 October 1930)

Image from Ebay.

When the Jenny Lind Candy shop was constructed at 1304-1318 King St. W., Toronto in 1938, the architect was given very specific design instructions for the storefront: “Jenny Lind: To be black vitrolite 6" base light green field, 2 chrome vents, and the top section above awning box to be light green, with Jenny Lind Candies worked in the vitrolite each side, and to have shaded black flutings at the side of the figure. The centre panel to be Jenny Lind figure in shaded pink worked into the glass, all to be similar to store at 171 Roncesvalles Avenue.” (https://www.acotoronto.ca/building.php?ID=19022)

In July 1963, Jenny Lind Candy opened a new factory in Scarborough off Midland Avenue, but within a year, the company was purchased by Pet Milk Canada.

Locally, Jenny Lind Candy was sold at several locations in Lindsay, including C.D.S Groceteria (1934, Canadian Department Stores at corner of Kent and York Streets), Graham’s Bakery (1936, 100 Kent St. W.), and Golden Stationers (1955, 66 Kent St. W.)

At some point, Jenny Lind Candy had puzzles made, but whether they were sold in stores or if they were a limited time item, is not known. It’s also not known how they chose the art for the puzzles.

This particular puzzle features a painting titled “Mid Morning Pasture” by Sydney Watson.

KLMA 2013.69.1 Jig-Saw Puzzle

Watson was a third-generation artist. Born Arthur Sydney Watson in 1881 in Ormskirk, Lancashire, Watson studied art from 1919 to 1932 at the Royal Cambrian Academy, where in 1923 he was elected a member. Many of his paintings continue the family tradition of featuring highland sheep, as depicted on the puzzle. Watson died 9 Jul 1931 in Hillside, Capel Garmon, Llanrwst, Denbighshire, Wales. His works can be found at the Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston. (https://www.watsonfamilyofartists.co.uk/)

Although we don’t know who donated the puzzle or why it was important to them, this item reveals many pieces of forgotten history.

KLMA 2013.69.1 Jig-Saw Puzzle

The only remaining mystery is the extra piece.

KLMA 2013.69.1 Jig-Saw Puzzle

Barbara Doyle
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The History of Cheese Making in Kawartha Lakes