VMs: Mediaeval book written entirely in cipher

["Philip Neal" <philipneal_vms@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: Jorge Stolfi <stolfi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> You say that Bernhard Bischoff mentions one medieval book written entirely 
> in
> code.  That is big news!  I have often asked whether such thing existed,
> and never got any answers.

I had never heard of it. The full citation is this:

Bernhard Bischoff
Uebersicht ueber die nichtdiplomatischen Geheimschriften
des Mittelalters. Graz, 1954.
p. 13

Paris, B. N. Nouv. Acq. Lat. 635, italienisch, saec XV "Secretum de
thesauro experimentorum jmaginationis hominum". Die ganze Hs.,
ausgenommen das Inhaltsverzeichnis, Titel und Schlussformel in
Geheimschrift; diese ist fast nur aus Geraden und Kreisen
zusammengesetzt. Abkuerzungsstriche sind unter die Schrift gesetzt.
Vgl. H. Omont, Bibl. de l'Ec. d. Chartes 58 (1897) 253-258, m. Abb.
von vier Seiten.

[Paris, Bibliotheque Nationale Nouvelles Acquisitions Latin 635,
Italian, 15th century, "Secretum de thesauro experimentorum
jmaginationis hominum". The entire manuscript, excepting the table of
contents, title and concluding formula is in cipher; this consists
almost entirely of straight lines and circles. Abbreviation marks are
placed under the script. See H. Omont, Bibliotheque de l'Ecole des
Chartes 58 (1897) 253-258 with illustrations of four pages.]

I will add this to my site when I make minor changes at the weekend.

Philip Neal



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