12-06-2018, 08:35 AM
Rene, I was misled by Davidsch' opening post that Kircher thought the VM resembled Illyrian - which prompred my scepticism. Since JKP has been making clear that the VM consist largely of characters known in Latin script, it appears impossible to me that Kircher would have this confused with another script he was familiar with.
But I agree with your assessment that the resemblance to Illyrian was probably suggested to Kircher by Moretus, and the line must be seen as a reference to that.
One remaining issue is that we must assume Baresch sent a sample of VM script in book form. This seems excessive, but could be explained in a number of ways, a note in an existing book or some pages folded in half. Later in your analysis though, it looks like you equate this book to the actual VM Kircher would eventually receive?
But I agree with your assessment that the resemblance to Illyrian was probably suggested to Kircher by Moretus, and the line must be seen as a reference to that.
One remaining issue is that we must assume Baresch sent a sample of VM script in book form. This seems excessive, but could be explained in a number of ways, a note in an existing book or some pages folded in half. Later in your analysis though, it looks like you equate this book to the actual VM Kircher would eventually receive?