Here is a link to an image of the two sections of the VMS (from F86V3 and F66V) containing what appears to be a monogram or signature.
http://www.geocities.com/jgroveuk/Signatures.jpg
I tried various enhancements but couldn't make it any more legible than it is.
It seems to consist of three connected downstrokes followed by a longer upstroke with a loop and final flourish, almost like 'wR' but not quite. It's certainly not a random scribble. If it is a signature or monogram then it might help to establish dates and/or locations for the MS. Does it ring any bells with anyone?
Jon. (no H)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nick Pelling [mailto:incoming@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: 10 September 2002 17:38
> To: voynich@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: VMs: Re: Hi
>
>
> Hi Jon,
>
> >Whilst looking through the images and accompanying
> interlinear file and
> >descriptions, I noticed that a couple of pages (F66V and
> F86V3) have what
> >are described as 'scribbles' on them, but to me the
> scribbles are clearly
> >deliberate and similar, rather like someone practising a
> signature which
> >looks something like 'WR'. I can provide a jpeg comparing the two
> >'scribbles' but I don't know what the protocol is on this
> list regarding
> >file attachments.
>
> I'd say it's normally best practice to dump stuff to a simple
> web page (as
> you, like me, are a software engineer, I'd be surprised if
> HTML held any
> surprises), and post the URL to the list.
>
> If you also try to remove the 'orb'/'T-map' circle from the
> scribble (and
> contrast-enhance it in Photoshop or whatever), that might
> also help make it
> (visually) clearer what's going on there. :-)
>
> >If the information is old-hat and has already been discussed
> to death then
> >forgive me - I just thought I'd throw it into the pot!
>
> As normal, virtually everything that can be thought has been
> posted: if you
> haven't got a copy of the mailing list archives yet, that
> would be a whole
> new world of pain for you. :-)
>
> On 25th March (the Florentine New Year!) 2001, Dana Scott emailed:
>
> Subject: VMS -- Chicken Scratch
>
> Has anyone identified what appear to be notes added
> at the lower
> left of
> f66v and in the middle of f86v. There is also an orb
> drawing in the
> middle of f86v. I wonder if it and an original part
> of the folio.
> Perhaps it was started and then not finished or
> maybe added later by a
> student/investigator of the manuscript. Has anyone
> identified the
> meaning of the notes? They appear to be made by the
> same hand.
>
> However, Dana didn't appear to get any replies - so I guess
> this is still
> up for grabs.
>
> To my eyes, these marks (especially f86v) look a lot like
> someone having
> the VMS open at a page, and signing a document on top on thin paper:
> bleedthrough, basically.
>
> Identifying that signature (or even the century that is
> likely to come
> from!) would be extremely interesting! Beyond "WR", what do
> you think it
> says? And are you sure you're even looking at it the right way up? :-)
>
> Cheers, .....Nick Pelling.....
>
>
>
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