[split] Designing the glyph system

[DG97EEB]

If you compare the drawings of Herbal A and Herbal B, you can see differences in the style of the plant drawings, the coloring (which is sometimes more bold than necessary in Herbal B), and sometimes the size (which may be due to the scribe's small handwriting. He drew large plants to fill the page).

I recall that this topic was discussed several months ago.  But I would like to object, your honor. Which is the proper thread?

All the best, --stolfi

The Voynich Manuscript's herbal section is traditionally divided into Herbal A and Herbal B, a distinction first proposed by Prescott Currier based on textual characteristics and scribal hands. [1][3][47] Currier noted a direct correlation between his "Language A" and Scribe 1, and "Language B" and Scribe 2, a finding later confirmed by Lisa Fagin Davis. [3][39] While the textual differences are well-established, researchers have also observed distinctions in the plant illustrations themselves. [1][15] On voynich.nu, René Zandbergen notes that consistent differences have been observed in the drawing style between Herbal A and Herbal B pages. [15] Sam G, on the voynich.ninja forum, highlighted the striking difference in the use of red coloring, which is abundant in Herbal A illustrations but largely absent in Herbal B, with You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. being a possible exception due to later modification. [9][17] Koen Gheuens and Cary Rapaport, in a 2024 independent blog post, further explored whether plants could be sorted into Herbal A or B based on images alone, excluding color due to debates about its originality. [2][10] They found that in most cases, it is possible to assign a plant to Herbal A or Herbal B based on distinctive features of the drawings. [2] Nick Pelling, on Cipher Mysteries, observes that Herbal A pages appear to represent plants, while Herbal B pages, made later, seem to be something else entirely made to resemble a plant treatise. [12] However, D.N. O'Donovan, commenting on Gheuens' blog, expresses skepticism about reorganizing the manuscript based solely on the Currier A and B textual division, suggesting that a clearer understanding of the 'Currier divide' is needed. [5]

Sources:
[1] Special Topics: MS Illustrations — You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
[2] Can we sort plants in Herbal A and Herbal B based on images alone? — You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
[3] Three things Herbal A images do that Herbal B images don't — You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
[5] Can we sort plants in Herbal A and Herbal B based on images alone? — You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
[9] A and B plants — You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
[10] Can we sort plants in Herbal A and Herbal B based on images alone? — You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
[12] Q13 and Voynich balneology sources…? — You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
[15] Special Topics: Origin of the MS — You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
[17] Three things Herbal A images do that Herbal B images don't — You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
[39] Voynich Paleography — You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
[47] Captain Prescott H. Currier, Papers on the Voynich Manuscript (1976 Washington Seminar) — You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.