The Voynich Ninja

If the verso is the continuation of the recto side (which is sometimes difficult to determine if the subject matter changes), then a repeated catchword would be observable (assuming the codification for successive folios is the same).

The same would apply to a foldout. Assuming foldout text is related, if there were a catchword on the left side, it would be repeated on the right side of the sheet.


Since there are about 50 sheets, even if the order of the sheets is completely wrong, there should be enough text on foldouts or on the recto/verso sheets to get an idea of whether catchwords exist (unless they are very rare).



I have seen catchwords in a number of languages. Since books were sold unbound, it was a way of reassembling the sheets if they got out of order before being bound. I think the languages were Latin, German, and French. I screensnapped some of the French ones.

Catchwords were only occasionally used in manuscripts, and became much more 'popular' in sixteenth century prints.

The 'titles' in the Voynich MS certainly are not catchwords.

I am not aware of any example where a catchword was not written below the last line of the text.

[attachment=4734]

Here I have a nice example of a catchword.
A nicer example than on Wiki, and you can follow it.
But this is certainly not the same as in VM.
As soon as I come across a VM-like one again, I will place it.

(04-09-2020, 10:50 AM)ReneZ Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
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I am not aware of any example where a catchword was not written below the last line of the text.

I have only seen them under the last line or, less often, to the right of the last line if there are large margins. But almost always under the last line.

Here's an example from Cambridge CC MS 394:

[attachment=4736]