[split] Does Voynichese evolve from A to B?

[Jorge_Stolfi]

It is extremely unlikely that over the course of writing such a long document in a novel writing script such changes and developments would not occur. ... The idea of the VMS representing a perfect unchanging script ... its assuming a fantasy level amount of skill on the part of the creator

The RC probably was written directly Brain to Paper, and its Author apparently started writing the book with little or no previous practice in the system.  

But the VMS surely must have existed in at least one draft version possibly two, before being copied to vellum.  Then this expected evolution process -- smoothing out the rough spots of the script -- would have taken place while the draft was being prepared.  

In the final draft given to the scribe, the script would have been already stabilized and uniformized.  At least for each whole section. 

On the other hand, we do see clear gradual evolution in the figures, especially the the Zodiac nymphs.  Which makes sense, because it was the first time that the Scribe had to draw such subjects. And he obviously did not make a preliminary series of sketches for the whole section, on separate sheets or paper or in pencil on the vellum itself -- as a professional drafter would.

the traditional Currier A/B split

The nature of the statistical differences between Herbal A and Herbal B s still unclear, and so is their cause.  A "spelling reform" that the Author made between drafting the two parts of the Herbal is a strong possibility.  But the differences can also be simply due to those two parts being transcribed/translated from two independent books with different styles or emphasis. 

In any case, we cannot say which came first, A or B; and it may well be that Herbal-A  was produced between two B sections.  We just don't know.

the chronological gradient

As you know, I strongly dispute this claim of "chronological gradient".  Sure, just as  between sections, there are statistical differences between pages or bifolios of the same section.  But we cannot derive the original order of writing from them.  Especially for Herbal, Astro/Cosmo, and Starred Parags, where we expect each page or parag to be an independent text.

I 100% agree on x. If my chronology is right and f57/f58 are roughly in the cente

Or maybe x is a symbol for a concept that is relevant only in some sections but not others.  Like ☊ or £ or ♂ or ☠ ...

All the best, --stolfi