A Tribute to N.C. Wyeth:

The 40th Worst Crossword in the Universe

by Michael Hanko and George Barany

This Thursday-ish puzzle, which includes a bonus puzzle, is a tribute and was released on the 140th anniversary of a "historic" event ... to say more here would spoil, but be sure to read our "midrash" after completing the puzzle. Update November 26, 2014: Reposted for an auspicious occasion. Updated November 26, 2015 (Thanksgiving): Reposted for another auspicious occasion.

Click here to view or download the puzzle in PDF format; here to download it as a puz file; here to download it as an ipuz file [requires the free Puzzazz app to solve]; here to solve the puzzle interactively (thanks to Jim Horne); here for the solution. We thank Martin Ashwood-Smith, Marcia Brott, Ralph Bunker, Richard Caldwell, Noam Elkies, Martin Herbach, Ben Jones, Loren Smith, and Tom Williams for their forbearance and insightful critiques in beta testing the puzzle.

If you want to tell others about this particular page, refer them to
http://tinyurl.com/wyethpuz

More puzzles here (all) and here (tributes).

E-mail barany@umn.edu to be added to a bcc distribution list.

NOTE: This puzzle includes two special features: a single rebus square somewhere in the grid and a bonus puzzle, presented on a separate page. For the greatest challenge, try to solve as much of the main puzzle as you can before looking at the bonus puzzle, which is likely to provide hints to filling the grid. Feel free to color in the rebus square once identified, but know that this is likely to cause people to inquire as to why one square in the grid has been highlighted.

Back to top


View My Stats