Mini-Conundrum - by GarE Maxton

September 15, 2009: Mini-Conundrum has been modified and the sculptures being sold are Mini-Conundrum Rev 1 which contains 19 pieces adding slightly to the complexity.

SUMMER 2006

Welcome,

I'm releasing my latest metal sculpture named Mini-Conundrum. For those of you that have trouble lifting my other sculptures, this should be just what the doctor ordered. No more back injuries from moving my creations! You can easily carry this one around! It's composed of at least 6 different metals (like my original Conundrum) so it's quite colorful AND with 17 separate pieces it's reasonably complicated to assemble. The final puzzle piece is light weight and magnetically locks into place; so you don't have to concern yourself with it falling out if the sculpture is turned upside down.

In the center of each seventeen piece sculpture is a 1 inch metal cube. This can be either a Pure Silver ingot for precious metal enthusiasts (weighing approx. 5.5 troy ounces) or a copper box for hiding something rather small. The choices are shown below.

Mini-Conundrum

MiniConundrum #1 in the collection of Peter Meek of Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Mini-Conundrum - Puzzle Sculpture Rev 1 (Signed and Numbered)
19 interlocking pieces

$1395.00

2 weeks to
complete patina

Additional Central Cube - Mini-Conundrum Series

$175.00

Immediate

For Packaging, Shipping and Insurance:
add 3% anywhere in the continental United States OR add 4% to Canada, Alaska or Hawaii OR add 5% to EU, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand. Elsewhere; E-mail gmaxton@maxton.com for actual packaging, shipping and insurance fees.

The components of Mini-Conundrum have the same satisfying size and appearance as those found in my most complex sculpture.... Conundrum III; there's just a lot fewer of them. Hopefully, it's not too difficult to assemble or disassemble and I'll guarantee it's more portable than it's larger brethren; You'll be able to take it out to show your friends.

I've added a photograph showing the differences between the lighter and darker patinas.

When fully assembled, Mini-Conundrum forms a 2" metal cube weighing approx 2.5 pounds! This is a limited edition; each sculpture is numbered. A certificate of authenticity is included with each sculpture. Mini-Conundrum comes ready to assemble!

I will also be releasing special variations of this sculpture from time to time..............

Art Mailing List

Special variations of the standard Mini-Conundrum sculpture will be produced from time to time........

June 2007 Mini-Conundrum #25 has beveled edges and a beautiful polished surface.		August 2007 Mini-Conundrum #26 is solid bronze with a polished finish and beveled edges.		May 2008 Mini-Conundrum #21 has a polished finish, beveled edges AND a Micro-Conundrum hidden inside.
May 2008 Mini-Conundrum #36 is composed of 24 pieces with a matching Micro-Conundrum hidden inside.		October 2006 Mini-Conundrum #7 was produced with a jewel like appearance, brushed finish and beveled edges.		March 2007 Mini-Conundrum #9 offered this polished finish and a sharper image.

Please join my mailing list for announcements regarding availability of future variations.

Mini-Conundrum- All 17 elements

Rounded edges allow pleasant contact with each of the 6 or more different metals used in this sculpture.
There is a Tungsten central cube pictured in the upper center of the photograph. Fully assembled, the seventeen pieces form a 2 inch cube.

Spring 2007

I've designed a new puzzle sculpture that uses all 17 pieces of my Mini-Conundrum, plus an additional 27 new pieces.............. It's called the Mini-Conundrum X2 and you can read more about it at Mini-Conundrum X2.

Mini-Conundrum X2- 40 Plus elements

The Mini-Conundrum cube (17 pieces) on the left plus these additional pieces can be assembled into a slightly larger cube called Mini-Conundrum X2 composed of 40+ pieces. Assembly without a photograph of the finished Mini-Conundrum X2 cube is extremely difficult.

December 2007- The Tungsten central cube is no longer available.

If you need more information, please don't hesitate to call me weekdays 9-5 EST at 734-662-4273 or Contact GarE Maxton by email.

Best Regards,

GarE Maxton

E-mail by Peter Meek upon solving Mini-Conundrum #1 September 12, 2006, in Ann Arbor, Michigan "This is a tremendous puzzle! Very nice balance between difficulty and accessibility. If you can get it into the hands of some experienced puzzlers, they should find it a good workout without being frustrating. I think it would be the puzzle they use to introduce other talented puzzle-solvers to your puzzles. I think anyone who has ever solved anything beyond beginner puzzles could solve this in an evening or two, and experienced solvers in one evening."

Size

in comparison to a Washington quarter

Maxton's Largest and Smallest Cubes

PHOTOGRAPHED TO SCALE

Above: David Bigelow's Symmetry I Proof (a 5" cube)
Below: Mini-Conundrum #16 (a 2" cube)

Mini-Conundrum-#1

Mini-Conundrum-#9
(Mini-Conundrum sculptures with polished surfaces command a substantial price premium and are available by special order only)

Mini-Conundrum-#5

Mini-Conundrum-#22