VMs: Re: VMS in Russia?

[Rene Zandbergen <r_zandbergen@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- "Rafal T. Prinke" <rafalp@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Rene Zandbergen wrote:
> 
> > The evidence that the VMs came from the Villa
> > Mondragone was a handwritten letter by Ethel
> > Voynich, to be opened after her death.
> > [...]
> Still, this seems rather strange. Is the actual text
> of that letter by EVW known? And who opened it?

I saw the letter in the Beinecke, and
transcribed part of it. I had the very notebook in
my hand a few weeks ago, but can't locate it just
now.
The letter was opened by Miss Nill.
I don't remember if the letter referred specifically
to the VMs or to the whole collection. It could be
relevant. In any case, there is a lot of other 
correspondence in the Beinecke material, and there
is not a possible doubt that Voynich bough a number
of MSS that previously belonged to the SJ, from
the Jesuits of the Villa Mondragone. And that he
had to do it secretly.
 
> When you mention the catalogue by J. Ruysschaert on
> your Web site,
> you say:
> 
>     It does, however, describe Voynich's earlier
> purchase. 
> 
> What exactly does it say? Does it mention any item
> that might be identified as the VMS?

It refers to items in 'De Ricci' (reference on
my web site). MS 8 in that list is the Voynich
MS. De Ricci was published by Kraus. The foreword
is written by Miss Nill. In the section about
Voynich's MSS, they acknowledge the executors
of the will of Mrs. Voynich, which again I think
includes Miss Nill.

> Does the Voynich's correspondence in the
> Beinecke library confirm that this
> particular MS was among the items he bought? 

It does not. This, one would need to find out
in the APUG, or in the Vatican Library, which
is for the moment beyond our reach. But Ruysschaert
worked from notes made by one E.Carusi (or Caruso)
so I suppose he got the information from there.

> Perhaps it would be helpful to know what other
> items he bought then and there.

I checked the list in Ruysschaert against 'De Riccí'
so have detailed information. I can post it if
anyone is interested.
(Didn't I include this part in the web page:
http://www.voynich.nu/sources.html ) ?

Just to add to the fun: in my original 'conspiracy'
theory, Miss Nill was also a Russian 'plant' put
on the trail of Voynich and the Voynich MS to
make sure that he stayed honest, and that the MS
could fullfill its role in the US.
In that light, everything fits and Miss Nill did
a very good job.
Not that I believe any of this....

Cheers, Rene

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
http://mailplus.yahoo.com
______________________________________________________________________
To unsubscribe, send mail to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxx with a body saying:
unsubscribe vms-list