New Anchor® stone building sets and
puzzles are being made again, and in Rudolstadt, by
Rudolstädter
Anker-Steinbaukasten-Fabrik GmbH & Co. KG, Breitscheidstr. 148,
D-07407 Rudolstadt/Thüringen, Germany. Tel: 03672 / 31 11 0; Fax: 03672
/ 31 11 29; e-mail.
These wonderful sets are beginning to be imported into the USA once
more. In February, 1997, these sets were reintroduced at the American
International Toy Fair in New York.
The new booklets of building plans for set GK-NF # 12, sponsored by the CVA, is now completed and available. It costs $ 15.00, post paid. When you see these books, you will be impressed with the quality of the designs. Three CVA members contributed design -- Fred Schlipf (USA), Dieter Wellmann (Germany) and Wolfgang Fichtner (Germany). If you purchase this book along with one of the new building sets, the cost is only $10.00 -- a special bargain price that is otherwise only available to CVA members, and they always add postage costs.
In addition I picked up a limited number of the factory's new catalogs. They show the
These new sets can be bought at retail stores. But because the retail distribution of Anchor sets and puzzles is still extremely limited, as a service to people who want to buy these new sets, I keep a few on hand and will send them, post paid, upon receipt of a check. (Special shipping, such as UPS-Air, is extra.) These sets may be ordered from George Hardy, 1670 Hawkwood Ct., Charlottesville, VA 22901. I am not operating a business, so I have no arrangements to accept credit cards. If you want to buy old sets (generally higher numbered sets not offered [at least not yet, if ever] as new sets), check the old sets for sale page.
The cost of the new sets and puzzles:
# 6 (105 stones, the basic set)
.....................................................................................
$ 120
# 6A (113 stones, supplement to set # 6, to total 218 stones)
....................................... $ 130
With set # 6A (bought from this site) comes a free packing
plan for set 8 -- so you can pack the stones for easy building.
# 8A (116 stones, supplement to sets # 6 + 6A, to total 334 stones)
............................. $ 140
With set # 8A (bought from this site) comes a free packing
plan for set 10 -- so you can pack the stones for easy building.
# 10A (165 stones, supplement to set # 6 + 6A + 8A, to total 499 stones)
.................... $ 150
With set # 10A (bought from this site) comes a free
packing plan for set 12 -- so you can pack the stones for easy building.
# 12A (206 stones, supplement to set # 6 + 6A +
8A + 10A, to total 705 stones) ........ $
170
# 14A (214 stones, supplement to sets # 6 + 6A+ 8A +
10A + 12A,
to total 919 stones) ...................................
$ 180
With set # 14A (bought from this site) comes a free
packing plan for set 16 -- so you can pack the stones for easy building.
# 16A (265 stones, supplement to sets # 6 + 6A+ 8A +
10A + 12A + 14A,
to total 1,184 stones) ..........................
I was told 'this fall'
Anchor Puzzle (Der Kopfzerbrecher; a seven stone tangram, with 178 problems
[and solutions]) ............ $ 14
Egg of Columbus (Ei des Columbus; an egg shaped puzzle of 9 stones with 95
problems) ....................... $ 16
The Circle Puzzle (Kreisrätsel; a circular puzzle of 10 stones, with
105 problems) ................................... $ 18
The Wrath-Breaker (Zornbrecher; an octagonal puzzle of 7 stones, with 97
problems) ............................ $ 20
The Nine (Alle Neune; a [very hard] rectangular puzzle of 9 stones, with
125 problems) .......................... $ 20
Heart Puzzle (Herzrätsel; a heart shaped puzzle of 9 stones, with 98
Problems) ........................................ $ 19
The factory is even discussion set # 18A in 2002. That would mean Gothic arches!!!
I have been surprised that many of the buyers are adults who intend to build with the sets themselves. I do hope that they let the youngsters have a turn.
We have all sets are in stock!
If you would like to buy a set or two, some stones, or have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me by e-mail.
The CVA has published its Stone Catalog, which covers all of the stone shapes Richter made, plus shapes made by other innovators. Metal parts and most other accessories are included in the catalog. The contents of the sets are also listed. The cost of the catalog sheets (European size paper, intended for loose leaf use) is f 40, plus postage costs, in Europe. No more are available now. A new revision will not be completed until very late 2001, or even 2002. I consider it likely that another small printing of the current version will have to be done soon. The cost in the USA, including postage, is $25. All Anchor people need, and will want, a copy.
For those who are really interested in Anchor stones, I have written a book about them. (I just got tired of either looking up the same information again and again, or trusting my memory on specific details such as dates and names.) It is expensive, $70 (or 100 DM) ppd, because I print it myself on my PC and color ink is expensive. The book undoubtedly contains far more information about Anchor stones and sets, the Richter company, etc. than you'll ever want to read. This book is a lot of work to print (I print about a dozen at a time; it is available in either English or German), so please don't think I am urging you to buy one.
A picture of new sets #s 4 and 6.
* * * * * * * *