Manson's Maze: Resources

I've been fond of Chris Manson's Maze since it appeared in the 1980s. It's one of my inspirational puzzle artifacts. (And see also this blog post by my friend Jason.)

Cover of Maze, with promotional sticker

(Click for larger image. Note the promotional sticker on the book -- not all copies were sold this way.)

There are many Maze fan pages around the Web. The most dedicated, though perhaps not the most discriminating, is into the abyss.

However, I haven't seen a web site that has scans of the original extra material from the Maze puzzle -- the clue and the final solution that were sent out by the publisher. Since I am an old person who collects stuff, I have those letters. I figured I'd scan them in.

Clue Letter

I got a copy of this letter; I suppose it must have been sent out to anybody who submitted a solution. (I remember sending in a solution, although I only ever solved the first part of the puzzle.)

Maze clue letter

Dear Maze Contestant:

We would like to inform you that the Maze Contest has been extended to March 1, 1987. Since no correct answers to all three questions were submitted, you may still enter! To help you out, a clue(s) has been made available below:

Three things should be thrown out;
Three things come in pairs.
You'll find two people in the room;
They must sit in one chair.

Remember, according to the official rules, only entries received between September 2, 1986 and March 1, 1987 will now be eligible to win. So, study the clue and submit your winning solutions before March 1, 1987 to P.O. Box 542, Lowell, IN 46399.

Enter as often as you wish but each entry must be mailed in a separate envelope, and must be accompanied by the 50¢ processing fee. (All official rules still apply.)

Good luck!

Second Clue Letter

into the abyss has the text of a second clue letter. I never received this, nor heard about it until that site went up.

I am copying the text here, but I do not have a scan (or any other source).

Dear Maze Contestant:

We would like to inform you that the Maze Contest has been extended one last time to September 1, 1987. Since no correct answers to all three questions were submitted, you may still enter! To help you out, a second clue(s) has been made available below:

Each of the additional clues below applies to one word of the riddle to be found in room #45 of MAZE:

1.) I'll tip my hat if the two of you can solve this.

2.) You can get into these two shoes only if you don't go anywhere.

3.) You will find two names on the table, and they go together like doughnut and hole.

4.) You must choose between two pictures.

5.) There are no two ways you can read this sign.

6.) You can see that another two pictures demonstrate their own kind of symmetry.

Remember, according to the official rules, only entries received between March 2, 1987 and September 1, 1987 will now be eligible to win. So, study the clue and submit your winning solutions before September 1, 1987 to: MAZE CONTEST, P.O. Box 542, Lowell, IN 46399.

Enter as often as you wish but each entry must be mailed in a separate envelope, and must be accompanied by the 50 cent processing fee. (All official rules still apply.)

Good luck!

MJB

Solution

I got two copies of this slip when the contest ended. (You can see the other one stapled to the letter above.)

Maze solution letter

MAZE CONTEST SOLUTIONS

1-26-30-42-4-29-17-45-23-8-12-39-4-15-37-20-1

What house will all live in?

Like Atlas, you bear it upon your shoulders.
(The World-Earth-The Globe)


Last updated March 26, 2015.

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