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Voynich asserts that he bought MS 408, with other manuscripts, to Jesuits of villa Mondragone in 1912, with the help of a Father Strickland, S.I. Some letters from the Collegio Mondragone to Voynich are preserved in his correspondence, in Beinecke Library of Yale University. I found also an independent proof of Father Strickland?s existence. But nothing more is known on this purchase. In other respects, we know from Ruysschaert that Voynich?s manuscripts were part of a larger fund, belonging to the Collegio Romano, the main part of which was purchased by Pie X in 1912 and given to the Vatican Library. On many of these manuscripts, we find the property mark of Father Petrus Beckx, 22nd general of the Society of Jesus. The question is how, when and which manuscripts from the Collegio Romano were transferred to the Villa Mondragone.Those who are interested in the manuscript history will find the results of a research on these topics here http://www.geocities.com/voyms/CRtoVM.htm Best regards Xavier Ceccaldi |