I have collected a large number of copies of diplomatic ciphers for the early 15th century. So far I have a gap that I am very keen to fill. I have an example of a Milanese diplomatic cipher from 1424 and another one from 1445, however I have no example between these 2 dates. I am endeavouring to find such an example by my own means, but this is another avenue as someone else might know something that I don't.
I will clarify what I mean by a Milanese cipher. Essentially what I am interested in is ciphers designed by the chancellery of the Duchy of Milan, i.e. ciphers designed by employees of government of Milan on behalf of that government. So what I am looking for is an enciphered letter or cipher key for communication with the Milanese State. So this could be an enciphered letter to or from a representative of the government of Milan. It could be a cipher key used for communication by or with an employee of the government of Milan. This would be incredibly valuable for my research hence the sum of money.
I am happy to give this to someone who can give me a lead which will take me to such a cipher, though I would be interested in something much more specific than "try the internet" or "try the BNF"(without a more specific reference).
I have a couple of specific references to ciphers from that period, but I think none of those survive, although I will do my best to follow them up.
Any early 15th ciphers may on inspection turn out to be Milanese even if at first they don't obviously appear so.
I know it is unorthodox to offer such rewards and anyway I doubt that anyone would be able to find such a cipher even if I offered 10 times what I have said, which I have no intention of doing so. Frankly given the amount of effort involved by me in hunting for such things €200 is really good value for me.
I hope offering an amount of money will at least attract some attention which otherwise I fear this thread would not get.
I will clarify what I mean by a Milanese cipher. Essentially what I am interested in is ciphers designed by the chancellery of the Duchy of Milan, i.e. ciphers designed by employees of government of Milan on behalf of that government. So what I am looking for is an enciphered letter or cipher key for communication with the Milanese State. So this could be an enciphered letter to or from a representative of the government of Milan. It could be a cipher key used for communication by or with an employee of the government of Milan. This would be incredibly valuable for my research hence the sum of money.
I am happy to give this to someone who can give me a lead which will take me to such a cipher, though I would be interested in something much more specific than "try the internet" or "try the BNF"(without a more specific reference).
I have a couple of specific references to ciphers from that period, but I think none of those survive, although I will do my best to follow them up.
Any early 15th ciphers may on inspection turn out to be Milanese even if at first they don't obviously appear so.
I know it is unorthodox to offer such rewards and anyway I doubt that anyone would be able to find such a cipher even if I offered 10 times what I have said, which I have no intention of doing so. Frankly given the amount of effort involved by me in hunting for such things €200 is really good value for me.
I hope offering an amount of money will at least attract some attention which otherwise I fear this thread would not get.