The Book Switch Theory

[eggyk]

As far as "vague traces of parts of the signature", it is actually quite better than that. Yes, my 2013 photograph, which still seems to be the only one on the internet, does give that impression.

The original files are on the online yale university library. You can download the (very high resolution) photos here: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

The signature is indeed visible before chemical treatment, and appears to be the same in all visible aspects. It is very faint though. Its obvious that it is there if you're looking for it, but honestly not that obvious if your attention is drawn to the rest of the content. 

   

It certainly could be missed by anyone who simply flipped through the pages. I'm reminded that even here on this forum, certain new marks are still noticed now and then, and that's with an entire community scouring the document for every detail. Look at this page, with everything else going on the potential faint signature is the last thing i'm noticing. 

   

In my opinion, it isn't all that inconcievable that the few people who owned the manuscript did not mention the signature. In candle lighting settings, I would imagine the visibility would be even worse. 



Actually, the only potential difference that I noticed is that the T on Tepenecz has some marks above, but that may just be the parchment. It does remind me of the signiture on You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. though.