Von 1862 bis 1866 erschienen in der Times 23 Annoncen, die alle mit dem Wort FIDES begannen. Die Inhalte waren teilweise verschlüsselt. Es ist völlig unklar, wer diese Anzeigen zu welchem Zweck schaltete.
Verschlüsselte Zeitungsanzeigen gab es im 19. Jahrhundert zu Tausenden. Darüber habe ich vorgestern berichtet. Das Thema ist bisher kaum erforscht, weshalb heute wenig darüber bekannt ist, wer diese Form der Kommunikation zu welchem Zweck nutzte. Heute stelle ich ein interessantes Beispiel vor, das aus dem bereits erwähnten Buch The Agony Column Codes & Ciphers von Jean Palmer (bürgerlich: Tony Gaffney) stammt.
Es handelt sich um eine Serie von Anzeigen, die zwischen 1862 und 1866 in der Times erschienen sind. Vieles in diesen Anzeigen kann man lesen, doch die entscheidenden Stellen sind verschlüsselt. Jede Anzeige beginnt mit dem Kennwort FIDES (ich werde daher ab jetzt von den “FIDES-Kryptogrammen” reden). Meine Vermutung ist, dass eine Kommunikation zwischen Geschäftsleuten dahinter steckt. Nach Liebesbriefen sehen die FIDES-Kryptogramme dagegen nicht aus. Schafft es jemand, den Code zu knacken?
Die Anzeigen sind durchnummeriert, in der Überschrift steht jeweils das Erscheinungsdatum.
1. 1862-10-31
FIDES (Thought). — No myth, but a neighbouring town, where I shall be detained a little time. I shall be in for a few hours on Monday, and must take my chance of meeting you between 2 and 3 o’clock. Perhaps I may hear from you meantime. Direct to P.O.
2. 1862-11-14
FIDES (Invisible). — All to hand, I suppose, indicating initial missing. Thanks. The sleeping partnership affair was known to me some time ago, and I hinted it to your senior, though I could not speak of it. I am glad, though surprised, that you accept it with equanimity. Your liability being limited, however, I hope you will not suffer much and it cannot be undone now. If you send on Saturday, let it be to same address. I shall be at No. 3 on Monday. Carl has been confined again, but is better; he has received urgent calls from abroad, but he seems as stupidly obstinate as ever he was in his life, and I have little hope of improvement in him. Southampton matters look lively.
3. 1864-06-22
FIDES. – DOCUMENTS will AWAIT your ARRIVAL at No. 3. on and after Tuesday next. Both of your letters to hand. (58.62) (171.53) (248.74) (152.79) (223.84) (25.21) (222.64) (132.74). James gone to Egypt instead.
4. 1864-06-25
FIDES. – Yours to hand. Unfortunately you mistook my last. He goes down on Monday to number two. If you can MEET there on Tuesday, he will doubtless be able to explain. (218.57) (250.86) (252.35) (111.48) (170.86) (212.25) (123.44) (145.1) (155.54) (216.66) (44.20) (32.18) (111.48) (231.8) (223.7) (225.55) (252.35) (44.20) (252.35) (225.55) (151.23) (2) (33.67) (145.76) (145.7) (170.88). James has gone via Ancona to avoid delay.
5. 1864-07-15
FIDES. – (99.39) (3.90) (108.101) (145.1) (93.11) (8.81) (183.95) (154.33) (223.2) (131.53) (20) (1) (189.55) (149.9) (248.101) (32.18) (252.35) (151.79) (8.93) (58.62) (240.12) (2) (197.18) (7.82).
6. 1864-07-21
FIDES. – (218.57) (106.11) (8.93) (17.61) (223.64) (146.7) (244.53) (224.21) (20) (192.5) (160.19) (99.39) (No. 8) (251.70) (1) (223.64) (58.89) (151.79) (226.69) (8.93) (40.12) (149.9) (248.101) (167.12) (252.35) (12.31) (135.100) (149.9) (145.76) (225.53) (212.25) (20) (241.6) (222.22) (78.45) (12.31) (66.28) (252.33) (158.33) (6.65) (20) (2) (11.50) (142.37) (223.87) (12.31) (142.37) (105.33) (142.37) (157.20) (58.62) (133.89) (250.86).
7. 1864-08-31
FIDES. – I shall not leave town until Friday, so that if you write to-morrow or Thursday your letter will reach me before I go. I have written you to-day, but possibly you may chance to see this before you receive my note, and I hope in time for to-morrows post. – London, Tuesday afternoon.
8. 1864-09-07
FIDES. – BOTH LETTERS to HAND. (58.62) (140.86) (93.11) (145.7) (17.94) (24.94) (No.2) (1) (193.101) (123.44) (223.64) (170.88) (12.31) (120.63) (223.64) (131.100) (151.85) (201.80) (151.79) (182.21) (2). Send a line to-day (Wednesday) if possible.
9. 1864-09-30
FIDES. – Do not reply again until you hear from me. You shall have a note, as before, on Saturday morning. (58.62) (150.47) (23.28) (37.77) (161.98) (247.33) (80.9) (251.14).
10. 1864-10-08
FIDES. – Yours received. – Be good enough to meet me as early as convenient, on Tuesday, that we may discuss matters. (109.104) (148.83) (129.50) (131.53) (157.20) (148.83) (58.62) (222.88) (134.68.69) (127.41).
11. 1864-10-17
FIDES. – I have not any communication from you this morning. When, and to what address shall I send the document you ask for in your P.S. of Thursday? It is delayed a week, so there is not the necessity for you to hasten your rejoinder, (58.62) (164.17) (218.57) (250.86) (1) (2) (134.35) (58.52) (111.48) (P) (17.22) (194.7) (2) (197.18) (1) (249.80) (2) (44.36) (241.45). – Saturday, Oct. 15.
12. 1864-11-04
FIDES. – Yours to hand this morning. I was consulted yesterday upon the question, and gave it decided approval. (100.33) (207.71) (142.37) (174.33) (154.30) (2) (73.62) (133.71) (199.91) (227.79) (48.6) (234.35) (265.16). – Thursday, 3d Nov.
13. 1865-01-14
FIDES – All documents safely received. (99.39) (194.40) (99.53) (27.86) (2) (157.20) (134.34) (12.31) (102.101) (2) (11.50) (223.7) (171.82) (251.76) (37.81) (253.76) (110.90) (252.35) (151.85) (94.80) (P) (223.31) (134.41) (229.98) (8.93) (94.80) (252.96) (C) (17.94) (92.56) (160.25) (99.26) (150.67) (154.84) (8.81) (141.10) (I) (247.51) (250.1) (2) (106.11) (218.57)
14. 1865-02-16
FIDES. – (58.62) (I) (186.67) (106.11) (149.5) (205.23) (50.72) (222.78) (6.65) (240.12) (95.97) (151.90) (1) (250.1) (20.83) (227.4) (85.14) (146.31) (17.94) (171.59) (No.ix) (183.95) (193.89) (218.57) (2.28) (149.5) (58.53) (134.68) (224.88) (131.53) (81.98) (148.21) (171.69) (201.80) (2) (151.79) (105.42) (50.47) (131.53) (199.10) (20.43) (33.14) (No.3) (154.82) (88.2) (138.61) (220.18) (1) (253.76) (149.9) (131.53) (249.103) (2) (234.35) (108.8) (2) (183.95) (142.37) (154.82) (93.11) (129.50) (171.82) (23.28) (37.77) (20) (6.85) (58.53) (250.86) (1) (251.53) (2) (134.78).
15. 1865-04-04
FIDES. – (58.62) (10.17) (1) (86.103) (109.25) (242.74) (91.80) (1) (105.54) (23.17) (202.52) (229.3) (149.34) (155.91) (23.17) (205.23) (200.85) (33.67) (14.64) (12.31) (85.14) (222.71) (145.16) (70.79) (221.51) (199.102) (17.24) (91.50) (153.33) (142.37) (183.67) (1) (151.40) (143.39) (131.100) (1) (201.80) (105.54) (136.20) (2) (14.65) (33.67) (142.37) (129.50) (131.53) (1) (171.82) (151.79) (32.18) (1) (199.10) (105.42) (223.64) (150.67) (142.37) (146.104) (253.61) (239.10) (32.18) (2) (199.10) (105.54) (131.53) (246.23) (253.76) (33.14) (149.9) (248.96) (145.7) (249.108) (199.10) (220.18) (2) (60.78) (1) (205.83) (134.69) (42.59) (2) (142.37) (29.62) (8.93) (12.31) (222.78) (224.102) (244.85) (148.1) (142.37) (218.57) (250.86).
16. 1865-05-13
FIDES. – (151.88) (60.76) (253.60) (58.62) (1) (146.31) (104.74) (131.11) (222.69) (2) (99.26) (250.1) (12.31) (225.75) (252.35) (151.79) (240.12) (2) (105.42) (8.93) (160.25) (44.21) (194.40)
17. 1865-05-18
FIDES. – (137.11) (222.69) (58.62) (131.53) (246.23) (253.76) (33.14) (93.11) (145.7) (160.25) (44.21) (223.64) (150.67) (149.9) (248.96) (215.23) (1) (60.16).
18. 1865-09-06
FIDES. – (142.37) (58.62) (250.86) (142.37) (157.20) (218.57) (134.34) (24.82) (99.26) (39.52) (12.31) (103.8) (149.22) (62.12) (249.50) (134.34) (192.102) (156.4) (105.36). If then you should see this in time write to me on Thursday with particulars, and in reply the documents shall await your call on Saturday morning next. I leave town on Friday evening.
19. 1865-09-29
FIDES. – (58.62.) – I have returned to England, and if you should see this in time and will post the documents on Monday next, I shall be obliged, for no doubt a settlement would be facilitated thereby. I shall probably leave again on Tuesday.
20. 1865-10-14
FIDES. – (58.62). – My movements have been so uncertain that I could not earlier inform you of my engagements_ Meantime I have so arranged with the different parties that your wishes shall be met as completely as possible. I do not to think therefore that you need to come to London on Monday; it will suffice if you send on that day such if the documents as may be ready, and the remainder can follow by the next Thursday post. (222.5) (134.78)
21. 1865-12-06
FIDES. – (58.62). I have not heard from you this morning in reply to mine, as I hoped to do. If this should be seen in time please send me necessary particulars, so as to reach me at latest on Friday morning, as I leave London on that day. (218.57) (146.83) (14.36) (131.100) (2) (111.31) (155.54) (131.53) (212.5) (150.49) (188.104) (224.93) (105.42) (181.40) (163.71) (163.39) (167.66) (1).
22. 1865-10-09
FIDES. – (58.62) (57.4) (151.79) (251.35) (8.93) (240.12) (1) (105.42) (94.80) (2) (1) (252.29) (2) (93.44) (129.48) (93.11) (12.31) (108.8) (131.53) (129.48) (230.64) (145.7) (150.5) (44.36) (1) (7.81) (129.48) (248.96) (197.8) (82.11) (206.15) (252.25) (23.28) (83.17) (247.32) (249.108) (131.53) (144.57) (1) (121.69) (14.65) (167.12) (252.29) (145.76) (93.44) (1) (2) (134.35) (218.57) (251.67) (24.22).
23. 1866-11-19
FIDES. — Your note received with thanks. You are entreated to write again, and in confidence, to give an interview immediately. Address your next letter to A.V.R., care of Mann, Brothers, booksellers, Cornhill.
Zum Weiterlesen: Verschlüsselte Zeitungsanzeigen, Teil 1: Das Internet des 19. Jahrhunderts
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