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+--- Thread: I am not convinced by the provenance history of the VMS (/thread-6031.html)
RE: I am not convinced by the provenance history of the VMS - anejati - 20-08-2026
The 1666 Marci letter was literally found inside the manuscript when it was opened by Voynich.
We know the letter was sent along with the book, and it makes reference to previous correspondence from Marci about the book as well. The only part of the story that one could reasonably doubt is the Baresch connection. It's possible that Baresch was talking about a different book. But since it's likely that Baresch did own the VMS, and Baresch talks about "a riddle of the sphinx", not multiple riddles, it's reasonable to conclude it was the same book. We can't say for sure though, as very little is known about Baresch.
As for the nymphs, there's a pretty straightforward explanation. Neither Baresch nor Marci were necessarily trying to give an accurate description of the book, they were trying to pique the interest of Kircher, an otherwise extremely busy man, to have a look at deciphering the book. This is the reason for them claiming it's probably medical. They wanted to create the impression of a book containing vital knowledge which it was almost Kircher's duty (as a priest and a man of science) to decipher. It's also why they generally took a very flattering tone towards Kircher. In that era correspondence tended to carry more emotion, but still. This is quite obvious by reading the letters.
RE: I am not convinced by the provenance history of the VMS - Koen G - 20-08-2026
RE: I am not convinced by the provenance history of the VMS - Jorge_Stolfi - 20-08-2026
RE: I am not convinced by the provenance history of the VMS - Jorge_Stolfi - 20-08-2026
RE: I am not convinced by the provenance history of the VMS - JustAnotherTheory - 23-08-2026
RE: I am not convinced by the provenance history of the VMS - Oscroft - 23-08-2026
RE: I am not convinced by the provenance history of the VMS - JustAnotherTheory - 23-08-2026
RE: I am not convinced by the provenance history of the VMS - Jorge_Stolfi - 23-08-2026
RE: I am not convinced by the provenance history of the VMS - Oscroft - 23-08-2026
RE: I am not convinced by the provenance history of the VMS - rikforto - 23-08-2026