Just saw this.  Time is of the essence.

This is awful news. Thanks for posting it.

Wilhouse.... PM me.

What?  I cannot download it.  Give me the gist of it please. Mark Parry; Can you open this doc. ?

Calm down, everyone. Siskel actually mailed this info to me nearly 2 weeks ago.  I am a bankruptcy attorney, so I am familiar with the procedure.  For those of you who cannot read the message above, Byron Preiss Visual Publications and Ibooks filed bankruptcy.  I printed out the petitions and other relevant documents. This is the story.  It appears from the petitions that neither company is claiming any rights with respect to The Secret --- it is not listed as an asset.  This makes sense, since Byron Preiss "developed and produced" The Secret for Bantam Books, the company that is probably the true owner of the rights to the book.  However, Bantam Books does not have the solution (according to them).  So, these bankruptcies really do not have an affect on The Secret. Nevertheless, I am writing to the attorney for the companies to explain the situation, and to see if Byron's wife still has access to the solutions.  I will let you know as soon as I hear anything.

Thank you, Egbert. We're all looking forward to seeing what kind of response you get.

boogieman wrote:: What?  I cannot download it.  Give me the gist of it please. Mark Parry; Can you open this doc. ? This is the text of the word doc ibooks & Byron Preiss Visual Publications File Chapter 7 Creditors Confab Set for Apr. 4 February 24, 2006 The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Website is reporting that ibooks Inc. and Byron Preiss Visual Publications filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on February 22nd.  Both companies were founded by the innovative publisher Byron Preiss, who died as a result of a tragic automobile accident last July (see "In Memorium: Bryon Preiss").  Unlike Chapter 11 bankruptcies, which allow companies to reorganize, Chapter 7 is a strictly a matter of liquidating the debtor's assets to pay off creditors.  The first meeting of the creditors of ibooks and Byron Preiss Visual Publications will be held on April 4, 2006. Preiss's widow Sandi Mendelson explained the decision to file for Chapter 7 this way:  "In the months after my husband's tragic accident last summer, his companies set out to honor his commitments to his authors and projects and continue his vision in publishing.  We very much wanted to go forward in the spirit and direction that Byron believed in; however, it became clear that without his unique creative force driving the companies he created, this was not possible.  I know this outcome will be disappointing to many in the publishing community.  As you can imagine, this has been an agonizing and arduous decision." Mark

Thank you, Mark.

Here is my email: Greetings.  I am writing to you because you are listed as the attorney for the above-referenced bankrupt companies.  I am a bankruptcy attorney myself, practicing in Florida.  I hope you will find this to be an interesting email. In 1981, Byron Preiss Visual Publications developed a book for Bantam Books, called “The Secret:  A Treasure Hunt.”  Here is the link: hxxp://www.biblio.com/books/36376609.html Mr. Preiss actually buried 12 treasure casques around North America, and put the clues to those treasures in the book.  Inside each treasure casque is a ceramic key, and if you turn in the key to Mr. Preiss, he will give you one of 12 jewels (the jewels are worth about $1000 each).  One treasure was found in Chicago shortly after the book came out, and no one else found any other treasure until my friend and I found one, after 22 years of searching, in Cleveland in May 2004.  I actually made the cover of the Cleveland Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine.  If you are interested in reading the story, here is the link: hxxp://www.angelfire.com/dragon/egbert/secret.html As you will see from the article, there are still quite a few people still deciphering clues and digging for treasure all over the country, and we discuss the book on the internet every day.  We were very saddened to learn of Mr. Preiss’ death.  My very sincere condolences to his family.  My friend and I actually spent the day with Mr. Preiss after we found the treasure.  We went to the vault where he kept the jewels and supposedly the solutions, and he gave us a sapphire (see attached picture).  He wanted to show us the pictures of the site which he took when he originally buried the Cleveland casque, and to explain any clues contained in the book which we may have missed.  However, to his surprise, the solutions were not in the safe deposit box in the vault where he kept the jewels.  He mentioned that the solutions “must be at home somewhere.” After Mr. Preiss’ passing, I explained to my fellow internet treasure hunters that it would not be appropriate at that time to inquire of anyone as to whether the treasure hunt was still on, whether his wife or anyone else was aware of the existence of the jewels, or whether the solutions could be located.  However, once I read about the pending bankruptcies, I thought that now would be an appropriate time to ask these questions. I and my fellow treasure hunters have been attempting to decipher the clues in this book for over 24 years now.  We speak very highly of Mr. Preiss’ ingenuity.  I cannot tell you what a tragedy it would be if the solutions were lost.  Even if the jewels are no longer available, the satisfaction of solving the puzzles is all that we seek.  Mr. Preiss told me that the solutions consist not only of written documents, but also photographs of the sites where the treasures were hidden.  My friend and I would even be willing to purchase these solutions if Ms. Mendelson does not wish to be bothered. I am sending a copy of this email to Ms. Mendelson, in the hope that something can be done.  Thank you for your courtesies.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Nice.  Very clear (for a lawyer) Tron

Egbert - your letter was wonderful and 100% appropriate. I'm sure I speak for all when I say "great job," and we can't wait to hear what you find out. On the remote possibility that you are able to purchase the solutions, we (i.e., everyone regularly reading this forum at Q4T) would have to engage in some serious discussion about whether or not the results should be made public or sealed in such a way so as to preserve the integrity and continuity of the hunt. And I agree, very clear for a lawyer. You are bending my stereotype.

LOL. Ditto FB, and thank you Egg.

here's more info wilhouse **************************************************************** Ibooks and Byron Preiss Visual Publications file for bankruptcy **************************************************************** Ibooks Inc. and Byron Preiss Visual Publications filed for bankruptcy and vacated their New York offices on February 22, 2006. The companies were founded by Byron Preiss, who passed away on July 9, 2005. In an anouncement, Preiss's widow Sandi Mendelson said "In the months after my husband's tragic accident last summer, his companies set out to honor his commitments to his authors and projects and continue his vision in publishing. We very much wanted to go forward in the spirit and direction that Byron believed in; however, it became clear that without his unique creative force driving the companies he created, this was not possible. I know this outcome will be disappointing to many in the publishing community. As you can imagine, this has been an agonizing and arduous decision." The Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions were filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York and the first meeting of creditors is scheduled for April 4, 2006. The interim court appointed trustee is Kenneth Silverman who may be contacted at: Silverman, Pearlstein & Acampora Llp 100 Jericho Quadrangle Jericho, New York 11753 (516) 479-6300. All authors with projects at BPVP or Ibooks are urged to contact their agents as soon as possible.

Thanks for the kind words everyone.  I hope we hear something soon.  If not, I will forward a copy of my email to the Trustee.  If these avenues don't work, I do have one more idea. No, it does not involve Wilhouse and a bulldozer.

With my new friends, I could probably round up some horses for a possee. Tron.

Egbert, But doesn't this mean the jewels go to the creditors?  or are they owned by Bantam Books?

I believe that Byron Preiss' wife would take the position that they are his personal possessions, as are the solutions.

The suspense is killing me.

Egbert, Would you mind sharing your "Plan B" if nobody responds to you?  This is the first treasure hunt I ever worked on, and I cannot convey adequately how sad I am with how it has ended...

Well, I received a response back from Byron's wife.  Although it does not contain any good news about the solutions, I was very happy to learn that Byron held The Secret in such high esteem.  Here it is: I read your letter with great interest. This was such a remarkable project and one that was very close to Byron’s heart.  I regret to tell you that Byron kept all of the information about this book and the results to himself.  I think this was the only thing in our marriage that he would not reveal to me.  He felt honor bound never to tell anyone.  Therefore, I cannot help anyone solve the puzzle on the remaining clues. I’m not sure if there is anything more we can do. Thank you for all of your continued enthusiasm about this project. Sandi Mendelson My friend Siskel sent a follow-up email, basically asking her to contact us if she should ever come across anything related to The Secret.  My Plan B is to contact John Jude Palencar.  He and Byron became friends while putting The Secret together, with Byron even staying over his house in Cleveland to help with the pictures.  I have JJP's email and phone number.  I will let you know what happens. If there are any other ideas, please post them.

All this makes the hunt even more challenging and rewarding.  It would be a great way to honor his memory if we could bring these together again. In any case, my condolences to Sandi and all hers.  I sincerely hope she isn't pestered by hunters who don't visit forums such as this. Well everyone, it looks like we're on our own, what's on the line now is ultimate bragging rights.

Egbert, can you ask her if she will still honor a casque finder with the appropriate gem? Also, you might tell her that BP mentioned that the treasure data was "at home" somewhere (I believe you mentioned that he said that...) wilhouse

I did mention that he said the solutions were "at home," and Siskel mentioned it again in his reply.  Unless I am missing something, her response indicates that no jewels will be forthcoming.  However, I do not think that we are doing it for the jewels.

Egbert, do you mean that when you solved image4, that Mr. Preiss never showed you the actual solution for your find?

wilhouse wrote:: Egbert, can you ask her if she will still honor a casque finder with the appropriate gem? In one of the articles it mentions that the gems were in a safety deposit box at the Chase Manahattan Bank in New York and that he couldn't find the key.  What normally happens in a case like that?  Doesn't the bank eventually sieze the box for non-payment?  In any case I agree that this hunt is no longer for the gems.  Maybe we can all chip in for a steak or something for anyone who finds a casque.

If you take a look at the Cleveland thread, you will see the whole story about us going to the vault, Byron opening the safe deposit box, and him giving me the jewel.  You will also see that the solutions were not in the box, although Byron thought that they would be.  He wanted to show them to me, and mentioned that "they must be at home somewhere, maybe in my closet."

I think a more appropriate gift for anyone finding a casque is chiping in a twenty-five year old bottle of scotch. A twenty-five year old steak I would pass on And giving the grieving widow, what-ifs, are not that helpful...  Finding a casque and THEN letting her know - would be the best course of action. As long as it is known that therer are people out there as honorable as her husband - should either make her feel good or scare her.

Egbert wrote:: If you take a look at the Cleveland thread, you will see the whole story about us going to the vault, Byron opening the safe deposit box, and him giving me the jewel.  You will also see that the solutions were not in the box, although Byron thought that they would be.  He wanted to show them to me, and mentioned that "they must be at home somewhere, maybe in my closet." I guess I had always assumed that you eventually got to see the Cleveland solution.  To me, the lost solutions are more valuable than the prized jewels.  Finding how all the puzzles were created would be the ultimate reward. edit:Reading the email from Sandi Mendelson suggests to me that she just could not help in the solving.  I agree with Tron.  Finding the next one is the only way to seek definitive answers.

Egbert - after reading Sandi's message a few times, I don't think it implies the jewels are not forthcoming. To me it is still as up in the air as always. I forget - did you get to keep the casque and key in addition to the jewel? Trohn - I agree completely about the scotch. And the steak.

forest_blight wrote:: Egbert - after reading Sandi's message a few times, I don't think it implies the jewels are not forthcoming. To me it is still as up in the air as always. I forget - did you get to keep the casque and key in addition to the jewel? I would think that she would have mentioned something like, "The hunt is still on," rather than "I'm not sure if there is anything more we can do."  Really guys (and gals), I think we are just in it for finding the casques now --- which is still the best part! And yes, I got to keep everything --- casque and key.

well, I'll agree with one thing - there's no sense in asking until you find a casque. find a casque, then make a request. all she can say is no (OR YES!) wilhouse

Eg, As a bankruptcy attorney perhaps you could answer this question for me (and to everyone else, please do not consider me an ass for asking) -- Since an offer was made (the jewels) and consideration was paid (we bought the books) doesn't some sort of contract exist with regard to the hunt?  And shouldn't that contract be made apparent to those handling the bankruptcy?

that is a good question indeed..... both an offer and consideration is present therefore making this a contract. Still, it wouldnt bother me a bit if the jewels were no longer awarded.  I just want to solve these things for BP

I have to wonder whether such contracts would be valid for readers who bought the book used. How many of us bought the book new in 1982... and kept the receipt for 24 years?

Is there anything in the rules about changing the rules? If there was and it was me I would say it was never anticipated that the huint would go on this long so we will give you one month to search your chosen locations and after that the hunt is over. Mark

The only "promises" I can spot in the book are on p. 219: "Each key represents the jewel or jewels,* which will be given to the person who discovers the hiding place of the casque and key." And later: "If you are correct, and have successfully completed the form herein, we will retrieve the treasure casque. You will receive the treasure jewels,* but the casque shall remain the property of the Fair People." And later: "You will receive the treasure jewels, a special autographed copy of The Secret , and your photo and story will appear in the next edition of The Secret ." *(aside: why "jewel or jewels "?) If the rules were updated through comments from BP, then it was done in an informal and non-legally-binding way.

I believe Mark's interpretation would be most correct --- since there is no ending date listed in the book, a court would probably construe it to be a "reasonable time." Also, more importantly, is that even if a contract still exists, none of us have it with either of the entities that filed bankruptcy (BPVP and Ibooks).  The contract is probably with Bantam Books, which is the company that most likely owns the rights.

Or would the contract be between the reader and the author?  I mean, if I sign a contract with someone who can't deliver I don't sue the company that printed the contract.  If that's the case won't the contract be void since one of the party is no longer with us?  Some things don't neccessarily pass on to the estate or heirs.  Especially if no one knows where the jewels are. Again, I think we are just on our own and whoever does dig up a casque just gets the good parking space for a month.

Eg, Thanks for the reply.  I still have some concerns, however. While I agree that the contract may be with Bantam, BP actually has/had control of the jewels and the solutions, not Bantam.  And while the courts may use the "reasonable time" interpretation, even that is "open to interpretation".  Since, as you are well aware, one casque was found in the recent past, it is not unreasonable to consider 40 or 50 years "reasonable" to find the remaining casques. I'm not really interested in the jewels (though the IRS might be), I would just like the hunt to remain open with someone at the helm.

I go away for, what, 12 or 13 months, and look what happens!  Thanks for all the info on this, everyone. I feel a greater sense of urgency for the old simple reason that you don't know what you've got until it's gone. My high-res scans are still available at the usual link.

It's been 13 months since Byron's passing. A terrible loss. Any updates from his estate or Banton Books about the missing solutions aka locations and pictures? These kind of things will take time. My wife's late mother's estate has taken over 1 year to settle and still isn't over yet. Something may turn up in regards to The Secret.

I agree with the other post that we just keep trying to find them for the fun of it.  Jewels or no jewels...  I personally think that solving them is the real treasure!