Text: Charles G. Percival to Edgar Allan Poe — December 19, 1845


∞∞∞∞∞∞∞


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.


∞∞∞∞∞∞∞


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.


∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

[S:0 - MS, 18xx] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Misc - Letters - C. G. Percival to Poe (RCL598)