Ok, ok, I stand corrected.  THE BEAST it remains!

I promised John that I would lobby Robert to join Facebook.  Robert, consider yourself lobbied ...

Excellent work Robert (as usual).

Let's wax mathematical for a moment.  I infer from the pictures that the three trivial knots on the outside (collectively called a link) are such that, if any one were removed, the other two would remain linked.  The union of these two linked trivial knots is called a Hopf-link.  So what you have here is the Tri-Hopf-link Maze Box.

If it were the case that removal of any of the trivial knots caused the other two to be unlinked, you would have the well-known Borromean rings encircling (er, ensquaring) the box ... the Borromean Box!

Now that I have sucked all the fun out of this, I will shut up (grin).  Off to the IPP ...

It is good to see that the 538 has been conclusively settled.  Number theoretically, 538 is relatively uninteresting.  Robert, what say you?

Hi Derek and Robert,

I feel somewhat gratified by Derek's number.  I spent a bit of time the other day using a standard counting argument to try to compute the number of assemblies of "The Beast" up to rotation and came up with:

4(16+15+14+...+1)=4(16)(17)/2=544.

I may have some duplications embedded in my solution somewhere.  (Disclaimer: I have not played with the puzzle in a while and so I may be overlooking something.)  In any event, I could not produce 666.   

Best,
Jim

Robert and Matt,

I have updated my website on Robert to reflect limited edition numbers.  Some of my numbers (obtained from the instruction books accompanying the boxes) conflict with Matt's numbers.  Matt may be correct; I think that I remember that, at least with Stickman #1, not all boxes were made and will never be.  In any event, kindly advise.  Thanks.

Jim

Hello all,

I come to this thread a bit late but thought I would interject my two cents (or less) anyway.  I appreciate very much the posts of the artists and designers  here.  As a collector, and only a collector, I shudder at the thought of someone being able to acquire whole editions of puzzles.  At the risk of trying to make this more of a science than it certainly is, I view collecting as a five-phase process: SEARCH, RESEARCH, PURCHASE, ACQUISITION, APPRECIATION.  Each phase has its inherent thrills but the last two are the most thrilling.  And acquisition should NOT be the end in itself.  I am reminded of the final scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark where the acquisition (the Ark) is carefully placed in a warehouse with other acquisitions, safely tucked away in their concealing crates.  How utterly sad.  I appreciate all of the items in my collection daily.  And everything is displayed (much to the consternation of my extremely patient wife). 

Thanks to all of you puzzle-makers out there for your innovative creations and your willingness to accept less in terms of compensation (compared with auction prices) in the desire to allow a greater appreciation of your works.

Jim         

I have two of David's kinetic sculptures (Fusion and Pegasus) in my puzzle room.  They are always focal points when I show off my collection.  Both of them are on the smaller side (and on the cheaper side) of his work.  They came well-packaged and were easy to install.  As mentioned, make sure that you have enough wall space ... some of David's work is quite large.  Most of his sculptures also tend to make various clicking noises when in operation.  I find the noise soothing in a way but some may not.

Jim   

Hi Robert (and all),

I will put the limited edition numbers on my website very soon.  Thanks Matt for the research! 

Jim

Thanks Robert.  (I probably deleted the memo inadvertently ... I get a lot of spam.)

Jim

I discovered this forum today.  Looks like I picked the wrong day to do that yard work ...

Thanks Eric!