The Book Switch Theory

[proto57]

(I believe Rene also suggested he did not know who Hořčický was before that.) Wilfrid went looking toward the court of Rudolph II and found a likely candidate who had been granted the enobling title of "de Tepenec" and whose first name was (essentially) the same as "Jacobius".  But the signature also was not in a more common form of including his surname or its Latin equivalent.  (I have not actually been able to find another example of Hořčický using the specific signature form of "Jacobius de Tepenec" -- only indirect references to him doing so, some of which simply circle back to the VMS.)

So yes -- the signature it self is genuine in the sense that it is actually there in the VMS, although even that is not certain, given that there seems to be no evidence, neither a visual photograph nor a written mention of the signature, prior to 1921 when Wilfrid described seeing it and chemically treating it.  (PLEASE point me to actual evidence for that if I am missing it.)

I think it appropriate to also point out that Wilfrid compiled a list of names... something like 19 or 20... from what he described as one of his favorite books, which he "knew by heart", "The Follies of Science in the Court of Rudolf II". One of the names mentioned in that book is Jacob Hořčický, along with a (seemingly fictional brother) Christian Hořčický. The author, Bolton, seems to place this Christian in the real role of Jacob... well, sorta. But the thing is, he well could have known of Hořčický years before "finding" the Voynich Ms., as that very popular book was published in 1904.

The question is more likely, then, not whether he knew of Hořčický, but whether he realized he was one and the same as the man whose name appeared on his Ugly Duckling.

"The sun was getting low and the young man dismissed the gardeners, and turned his steps down the hill towards the river; passing near the animal cages the savage beasts showed by their antics that they regarded the florist as a friend, Ottakar, Rudolph's pet lion, uttering a gentle growl of greeting. Following the winding path to the riverside, Jacob Horcicky, for that was the name of the embryo botanist, crossed the dwindling Moldau on the old stone bridge built by Karl IV; here he was overtaken by a trim young army officer, whose costume and decorations proclaimed him a lieutenant of cavalry, and who shortened his stride to accost Jacob in a cordial, almost affectionate manner that met a like response. Together they threaded the ill-paved, narrow streets of Old Prague; the Officer talked about the splendid horses in the royal stables where he was on duty and called them by endearing names; Jacob chatted about domestic affairs and both made frequent mention of a certain lovely Fraulein Sofie whose capricious ways seemed to distress the Lieutenant."

"The pharmacy of Christian Horcicky was the best appointed in the Capital of Bohemia and was noted for the purity of its medicines as well as for the accuracy with which the most complex prescriptions were compounded. Persons entering the front shop saw against the walls on two sides a double row ,of drawers, some shallow and some deeper, above which ran wooden counters and shelving reaching nearly to the ceiling; on the stone floor stood heavy tables, a mortar mounted on a pedestal made of a tree trunk, and some stools ; across one end, under the window opening into the street, ran a counter on which the work of mixing powders, rolling pills, making salves, and compounding the simpler prescriptions was performed. Above the counter, hanging within convenient reach, were two pair of scales; alongside of the window was a hanging shelf...", and etc.

Rich

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.