1950 Tom Corbett Space Ranger Tray Puzzle #7320 by Florian - Rockhill Productions

Here's another hi-res Tom Corbett Space Cadet tray puzzle from Rockhill Productions in 1950. Last week Saturday we featured another classic Tom Corbett tray puzzle featuring Tom standing out front with the Space Academy and the Polaris rocket cruiser behind him.. So far I've only noticed three different Tom Corbett scenes on these Rockhill puzzles. The third puzzle, which I don't yet have, depicts several of the gang behind a port hole on their space ship. Unlike the other puzzle featured last week, this one clearly shows the artists' name: 'Florian'. The two puzzles share the same item number '7320' so I'm guessing the third puzzle in the set shares the same number. I love the retro space art these depict and hope you do too! Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina

Rockhill Productions #7320 Tom Corbett Space Cadet Tray Puzzle 1950

One of my many interests is retro space art, the real stuff that was made back in the day as well as modern era attempts at the retro look. In that vein, here's a terrific tray frame puzzle of Tom Corbett Space Cadet made by Rockhill Productions in 1950 and measuring 10 1/8" (25.71cm) W x 11 1/2" (29.21cm) H. 

Tom Corbett, Space Cadet started as a popular television series starting in October 1950 and eventually appearing on all four networks: CBS, ABC, NBC, and DuMont finally going back to NBC before it's cancellation in 1955. It was one of only six television series to appear on all four major networks (DuMont was a pioneering network but for a variety of reasons stopped production in 1956). Tom Corbett was created by Carey Rockwell who based it partially on Robert Heinlein's Space Cadet as well as his own previously unpublished efforts. It chronicled the adventures of a group of young men training to become members of the Solar Guard with action taking place within our solar system as well as nearby stars.

Eventually the Corbett universe would include radio, books, comic books, comic strips, ViewMaster reels, toys, and even music recordings. This was one television series I was too young to remember and as far as I know, no re-runs of it were ever played in Milwaukee where I grew up. Still, I can look at toys, art, and videos of it now and appreciate it's efforts as a pioneering television Sci-Fi adventure. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina