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City of Utica Dec. 19. 1845
Dear Sir
Having understood that you are skilled in deciphering any kind of cypher I have taken the liberty of sending you the above, with the request that you will send me its meaning when found out — I am confident it contains some hidden meaning — If you will bestow it some little attention I shall be greatly obliged as it is an Exact copy of a paper in my possession —
Very Respt. yours
Chas. G. Percival
Edgar A. Poe Esqr.
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Notes:
At the top of the page appears the following cryptograph:
956, 925, 921, 96, 692, 92595, 498, 9, 49991985,
15, 7959, 64, 3931355, 1, 925, 46925, 469259, 64, 15868, 498
925, 95 —
The cryptography is composed of number, with lines above and below certain characters. (under construction)
At the top left corner is written, apparently in Poe’s hand, “Chas. G. Percival,” with a pencil note underneath “Poe’s handwriting.” The letter, written in brown ink on standard off-white paper, is in rather poor condition. There is considerable fading of the ink and the paper is badly foxed or stained.
This letter is described in the Bangs Sale Catalogue of April 11, 1896 as item 113 1/2: “A. L. S. 4to. ‘City of Utica, Dec. 19, 1845,’ to Edgar Allan Poe, with address and post-mark. Encloses a cipher, which he desires Poe — having heard that he is skilled insuch matters — to read and decipher.” (Bangs, 1896, p. 31, item 113 1/2).
Need to add lines, which are necessary to properly distinguish characters:
And the third day there was a marriage
956, 925,
92196, 692, 92595, 498, 9, 49991985, [/]
in Cana of Galilee & the mother of
Jesus was
15, 7959, 64, 3931355, 1, 925, 469259, 64, 15868, 498,[/]
there
92595 — [//]
& both Jesus was called & his disciples
1,
8692, 15868, 498 793356, 1, 218, 618717358 [/]
to the marriage
96, 925, 49991935 [//]
& when they wanted wine the mother of
Jesus
1, 4255, 9252, 495956, 4155, 925, 469259, 64, 15868, [/]
saith unto him they have no wine
89192, 6596, 214, 1252, 2975,
56, 4156 [end]
First 3 verses of John, II:
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.
And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
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[S:0 - MS, 18xx] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Misc - Letters - C. G. Percival to Poe (RCL598)