Notes from Puzzle Palace

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

On the 1st day of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me
A Stickman in a pine tree.


Stickman.  What a builder!  I can't say anything other than that.  Robert Yarger is such an amazing puzzle box builder that you need to have at least one of his puzzles in your collection.  I'm so impressed by his work that he just had to be my number one puzzler this Christmas!

I first became aware of Stickman puzzles quite a while back.  I saw this chess set that tickled my fancy.  Then I saw the price it sold for at auction and decided it could keep on tickling me I would never be able to afford a Stickman.  Looking back, I see they have gone for anywhere between $1100 and $1750.  Over the years the price has remained pretty constant.  Better than most puzzles which don't seem to hold their value until you get a crazy collector who just has to have it.  Allard has blogged about it here.

I met Robert (aka Stickman) this past year at IPP.  He is an amazing bloke!  Very quiet, very humble, but oh so talented!  Some of the puzzles he makes are truly astounding. Over a cigar I managed to sweet talk him into selling me a "Little Game Hunter" I really love this puzzle and am so glad I convinced him I had to have it.

I have managed to find a small list of some of his boxes at the bottom of this page. Over on the wiki there is a more filled out listing of his collection but there are still a few missing.

If you are simply interested in his work, there is a puzzle book that he's put together.  You can get a copy of it over at cubic dissection.  Eye candy to an extreme!

If you happen to come across a stickman at auction that fits within your price range, JUMP ON IT! If you don't, you'll regret it.  

2 comments:

  1. I managed to nab the perpetual hinge from a friend. Fantastic puzzle!

    I'd love some or even one more! But the recent auction went way out of my price range. Maybe in the future.

    Glad to follow your Xmas on FB - saw your good time!

    Kevin
    Puzzlemad

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  2. Lucky lucky Kevin. I was drooling over that last auction, but I was beaten back before I even began. I'm so glad Robert made a bit on them.

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