(19-01-2026, 06:42 PM)N._N. Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.This document might be worth exploring, but particularly for the faded parts, one might have to go to Hannover in person. In my experience, this is one of the situations where digitized files might not do the original justice, as different lighting, turning the pages etc. might improve the readability significantly. Which limits the usefulness of OCR as well... However, reading and possibly transcribing 1100 pages in the library sounds quite tedious for what might be very limited results.
I've been through just over half so far. I know a smattering of Latin and German and am generally looking for any keywords or symbols. So far it looks like a fairly standard Paracelsian manuscript. I would guess that Dr Zandbergen or Guzy would have spotted anything really obvious already, so not expecting to turn up much.
(19-01-2026, 06:42 PM)N._N. Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.However, reading and possibly transcribing 1100 pages in the library sounds quite tedious for what might be very limited results.
I once transcribed a biography in a library, from a well-preserved printed book in Latin. It was maybe 2/3 of a largish page. It took me at least half an hour, maybe more...
I've been through maybe 75% and from what I've read, it's quite interesting. Lots of recipes, philosophy, alchemical processes. I did even find a 3 page book list, but nothing sticks out (but what would I be looking for anyway?) there's even a treasure hunt in there which is fun.. but somehow across 1300 pages, there's absolutely nothing about the "most mysterious manuscript in the world". So either he didn't know what was in the barrel, he didn't think it was that mysterious, he didn't sell it, or it's somehow recorded elsewhere.. but if nothing else I learned about Paracelus
(19-01-2026, 09:51 PM)DG97EEB Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.but what would I be looking for anyway?)
I guess, mentions of Prague, Rudolf.
I may have looked at 10% at most.
(20-01-2026, 12:14 AM)ReneZ Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. (19-01-2026, 09:51 PM)DG97EEB Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.but what would I be looking for anyway?)
I guess, mentions of Prague, Rudolf.
I may have looked at 10% at most.
I did find mentions of Prague, but in the context of someone in Prague sending him a book/manuscript, not the other way round.. and no mention of Rudolf or anything earlier than about 1610..
What I meant was the book list wouldn't say "Voynich", it would be an Herbarium or Secretum. Those are listed, but only generically so and not in connection with a sale to or from him. I think theres one mention of being sent a Secretum by someone, but my understanding is that term is used very generically..
(20-01-2026, 06:40 AM)DG97EEB Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.What I meant was the book list wouldn't say "Voynich", it would be an Herbarium or Secretum. Those are listed, but only generically so and not in connection with a sale to or from him.
Correct :-)
(20-01-2026, 06:40 AM)DG97EEB Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.I think theres one mention of being sent a Secretum by someone, but my understanding is that term is used very generically..
Both are worth checking out.
Also any mention of Rauwolf, of course, or of Rosenberg.
(19-01-2026, 09:51 PM)DG97EEB Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.I've been through maybe 75% and from what I've read, it's quite interesting. Lots of recipes, philosophy, alchemical processes ...
Just for curiosity, can you read the rest of the line "scrpto secreto: Wann ..." about 1/3 down on You are not allowed to view links.
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All the best, --stolfi
(20-01-2026, 08:22 AM)Jorge_Stolfi Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. (19-01-2026, 09:51 PM)DG97EEB Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.I've been through maybe 75% and from what I've read, it's quite interesting. Lots of recipes, philosophy, alchemical processes ...
Just for curiosity, can you read the rest of the line "scrpto secreto: Wann ..." about 1/3 down on You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.? between "Ex manu" and "sterilitas" on the right margin?
All the best, --stolfi
The best I can come up with, combining a couple of different models is this:
Latin/German Text:
"Salbe Membrum Virile mit dem Safft von Satyrion V[er]mitt[els]
dem oll[eo]. be[streich]. Macht d[as] die Vnfruchtbaren entfachen [v...]
[Aufgemehret?] ist gwaltig. Ex manu
scripto secreto:
Wann du 6 ʒ Satyrion recht stost u[nd] auf d[en] Rugg[en]
bindest, so ist es gwis: Wann du an ein [Bett] [gehst/steigest]
[vermagst] darin 3. Mal. ex libro eodem"
English Translation:
"Anoint the Male Member with the juice of Satyrion [Orchid] mixed with
the oil. Smear it... [This] Makes the barren women kindle/inflame [with desire/fertility]...
...it is powerful. From a
secret manuscript:
When you pound 6 drachms [approx. 23g] of Satyrion correctly and bind it upon the Back,
then it is guaranteed: When you [climb] into a [Bed],
[you are capable] therein 3 times. From the same book."
I'm not claiming complete accuracy here, but it is at least plausible. There's quite a few pages where he says something like "I got this from a book of secrets"
(20-01-2026, 10:53 AM)DG97EEB Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.The best I can come up with, combining a couple of different models is this:
Wow, I did not expect that!...
Now I wonder what precious secrets the
VMS may be hiding...
Thanks, and all the best --stolfi
(20-01-2026, 07:40 AM)ReneZ Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. (20-01-2026, 06:40 AM)DG97EEB Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.What I meant was the book list wouldn't say "Voynich", it would be an Herbarium or Secretum. Those are listed, but only generically so and not in connection with a sale to or from him.
Correct :-)
(20-01-2026, 06:40 AM)DG97EEB Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.I think theres one mention of being sent a Secretum by someone, but my understanding is that term is used very generically..
Both are worth checking out.
Also any mention of Rauwolf, of course, or of Rosenberg.
This is the Prague reference that jumped out..You are not allowed to view links.
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Login to view.