http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 5932472855

This is a truly magnificent addition to any collection of Rubik puzzles, or mechanical puzzles generally. Resembling an 'impossible' 9x9x9 Rubik-style cube, made as a large table-top promotional advertising item, it consists of 27 Rubik-style cubes assembled to form a Soma Cube. Weighing in at a table-breaking 4 pounds 8 ounces (over 2kg) it is one of only four ever made, two of which are permanently in private collections already. The Soma Cube is a well-known puzzle, comprising the 7 simplest non-regular shapes that can be made by joining unit cubes. There are 240 different possible assemblies to form a cube, but this example has been cleverly designed so that there is an additional puzzle. It is possible to form a cube with the seven pieces in such a way that the nine images on each face are identical, but not necessarily in the same orientation, to add an extra twist. Pun intended…


While designed for display purposes, the assembly can comfortably survive use as a puzzle to be handled and enjoyed. It would be ideal as a supreme display in any collection, either assembled or with the pieces displayed at random as modern sculpture art. The assembled cube measures 7 inches or 18 centimetres along an edge. Clearly, all the cubes cannot be fully turned, but nearly 20 faces of nine units can be rotated, along with the same number of 18-unit 2-layer faces. The puzzle will be supplied assembled as a cube, but not in the special 240th solution described above.


Being one of only four examples of this masterpiece, you can safely bid on behalf of a dedicated collector of such items, safe in the knowledge that it won’t be a duplicate in someone’s exhibits. I might be offering the 4th example to the second highest bidder, or reserving it for a future auction. The 4th item is a different assembly of the seven pieces.

Coffee mug and sofa throw are shown for display purposes only and are not included in the sale.
Postage at cost, using recycled packaging. Item closes mid-morning on a Monday, so have your snipe bids set up well in advance of closing time.


Best wishes,

Martin

http://www.martinhwatson.co.uk/puzzles.html
Martin H. Watson

Someone has found a use for the alien cubes at last