.

Subj:.....Red Spade (S607)           From the book             "Mathematical Puzzles of Sam Loyd"              Edited by Martin Gardner              From: Dover Publications in 1959 Show how to change the spade into a heart by cutting it into three parts.   During a recent visit to the Cresent City Whist and Chess Club my attention was called to the curious feature of a red spade which appears in one of the windows of the main reception room.  The design came from Dresden, and, after the manner of cathedral windows, is made of numerous small pieces of stained glass skillfully fitted together to make the desired pattern. No reason was ever vouchsafed, nor ever asked for, regard- ing the incongruousness of the color.  It was looked upon as a blunder which occasioned considerable comment at first, but came to be looked upon afterwards with favor, not only on account of the novelty of such a thing as a red spade, but also because a black spade would have made the room too dark. Hearing, however, that a blunder had actually been com- mitted by the manufacurer, in that the ace of hearts was to have been the insignia of the club, I was led to examine the window carefully.  The spade was composed of three pieces and I speedily discovered that by rearranging the pieces they would fit together to form the ace of hearts, as originally desired. The members have become so accustomed, not to say endeared, to their unique emblem that they would not consider to having it changed.  Nevertheless it makes a unique although simple puzzle.

.
.
.

.   ...