Did anyone solve the 1987 'Crypto-gift' contest that was run by Swiss Colony? My friend and I worked on it for 4 months, but didn't get anywhere. My friend solved the 1986 puzzle in about a week and won $1000. I fear that we missed some clue that makes it incredibly easy to solve. I'm including the code, clues and a few notes for those of you so inclined to give it a shot.
197,333,318,511,824, 864,864,457,197,333, 824,769,372,769,864,
865,457,153,824,511,223,845,318, 489,953,234,769,703,489,845,703, 372,216,457,509,333,153,845,333, 511,864,621,611,769,707,153,333, 703,197,845,769,372,621,223,333, 197,845,489,953,223,769,216,223, 769,769,457,153,824,511,372,223, 769,824,824,216,865,845,153,769, 333,704,511,457,153,333,824,333, 953,372,621,234,953,234,865,703, 318,223,333,489,944,153,824,769, 318,457,234,845,318,223,372,769, 216,894,153,333,511,611, 769,704,511,153,372,621, 197,894,894,153,333,953,
234,845,318,223
CHRIS IS BACK WITH GOLD FOR YOU
HIS RHYMES CONTAIN THE SECRET.
YOU SCOUTS WHO'VE EARNED YOUR MERIT BADGE
WILL QUICKLY LEARN TO READ IT.
SO WHEN YOUR CHRISTMAS HAM'S ALL GONE
AND YOU'RE READY FOR THE TUSSLE,
BALL UP YOUR HAND INTO A FIST
AND SHOW OUR MOUSE YOUR MUSCLE.
PLEASE READ THESE CLUES WE LEAVE TO YOU
BOTH FINE ONES AND THE COARSE;
IF CARE IS USED TO HEED THEM ALL
YOU'LL SUFFER NO REMORSE.
Notes: The puzzle comes as a jigsaw that when assembled has the list of numbers. They are arranged as indicated on the puzzle, with commas. The lower right corner has a drawing of 'Secret Agent Chris Mouse'. He holds a box under his arm which looks like the box the puzzle comes in. The upper left corner has the words 'NEW 1987 $50,000 Puzzle'. The lower left corner is empty. The clues are printed on the entry form in upper case, with the punctuation as shown.
Ed Rupp ...!ut-sally!oakhill!ed Motorola, Inc., Austin Tx.