(07-01-2026, 09:18 PM)Jorge_Stolfi wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.We have been assuming all along that Marci physically attached the cover letter to the inside of the book when he sent the book to Kircher. But is that a reasonable assumption?
Presumably he would have wrapped the book in (oiled?) paper and secured it with string, possibly with wax seals. Then there would be no need to attach the cover letter to the book. He could have just placed he letter inside the wrapping.
Even if the cover letter was physically attached, would it be normal for Kircher to leave it there? Are there other examples of cover letters sent to Kircher that are still attached to their respective books?
If Wilfrid received the book with the letter physically attached, I suppose that he detached it at some point, before showing MS 408 in public for the first time. (It was shown without the letter, correct?)
Do we have photos of the letter still physically attached to the book's cover?
All the best, --stolfi
If you mean photos of the letter still physically attached and taken during the period prior to 1921 (and closer to 1912), then that would be surprising evidence to come to light at this stage!
And while it would tilt the evidence slightly in favor of the letter being legitimately connected to (and by inference, referring to) the VMS, it wouldn't really change it that much. Even if physically attached, then (unless it provided more forensically datable material tying the connection itself back to 1666), there is still a period of 250 years of uncertainty as to when and how the letter (even if completely authentic) came to be colocated with the VMS.