The Golden Apple tale is one of America's longest running unsolved treasure hunts. Published in 1982 and sold via ads in the back of magazines like 'Games Magazine' Example: https://i.imgur.com/KG2q8is.jpg

The book was a commercial failure with only one physical copy known to exist, which has since been lost by the owner. Physical Cover: https://i.imgur.com/KMiUEzN.jpg

The book was published under the pseudonym Cam Kaskgn, through a seemingly fake publisher named Fantasy Press based in Grand Rapids Michigan.

The book contained a series of puzzles that when solved would lead the solver to an 18k golden apple necklace hidden somewhere in the United States. Necklace: https://i.imgur.com/EPkmVoQ.jpg

Shortly after publication the book fell into obscurity, with only a hand full of dedicated puzzle solvers keeping its memory alive.

The book found a resurgence on armchair treasure hunt message boards in the early 2000's thanks to a pdf being created from its only known copy. PDF LINK: http://kspot.org/trove/tgat.pdf

Since it's resurgence there have been several unanswered questions about the book's status

1. How many copies were sold
2. Are any copies still available
3. Is the Golden Apple prize still available
4. Who is Cam Kaskgn

Recently a few of the puzzle solvers who were still interested in the book set off to find Cam Kaskgn and have those questions answered.

After several years of searching Cam's real identity was discovered. Without any way of remotely contacting Cam, the group resorted to going to his house and knocking on his door.

Cam verified we had found the correct person, submitted evidence that he was the author of The Golden Apple Tale, confirmed the prize for the puzzle was exactly where he left in in 1982, somewhere near Grand Rapids Michigan, and confirmed that he still had box of books which he plans to make available in the future (when he can find them).

The podcasts 'The Secret Podcast' and 'Live from the Codebar' created an episode detailing the discovery Link: https://youtu.be/bay_fhl1npQ

The books have been found, the author has been found... only the treasure remains.