An Artistic Composition
I should preface the lines that follow by stating that, generally speaking, I do not indulge in text messaging. Granted, text messaging can be a convenient, even considerate, method of exchanging information without much disruption, and, unlike a telephone call, does not necessitate that the recipient answer at an inconvenient or awkward moment, such as in the supermarket line, when there is little for others nearby to do but to listen to your conversation. However, text messages that are composed in some sort of code, employing the English alphabet, numbers, symbols, and cultural acronyms, can take considerably longer to decipher (and compose) than the significance of the message itself. Perhaps I am showing my age (or increasingly feeble mind), but I have seen text messages that would leave seasoned military cryptographers saying, “WITW” (“what in the world,” that is).
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So, for all of you out there on the 4G with the micro keyboards and quick thumbs, I have a challenge for you, in the form of a more old-fashioned kind of text (and picture) message. The following 19th century Rebus Letter (A puzzle in which words are represented by combinations of pictures and individual letters) was found in the records of the National Institute in our collections, Record Unit 7058, Box 9, Folder 6, while I was conducting some research on behalf of a patron. While the letter was not pertinent to the patron’s research, it serves as just another example of the fascinating materials, sometimes found by happenstance, in the collections held by the Smithsonian Institution Archives. The content of the letter may not be remarkable; however, one can only speculate that its appearance made quite an impression, and presumably was the reason it was retained.
A few of us here at the Archives studied the letter and, after some deliberation, have come up with our translation. We invite you to add your interpretation in the comments below, and join us in this across-the-centuries game of Pictionary. There is no incorrect answer, just an opportunity to “excite the learning in everyone.” We will post the results of our analysis in the weeks ahead.
Comments (13) – Leave a comment
I love it, it's excellent... except the "very obedient servant" part. But then... it was 1843, and the times were such.
We are much agreed here at the Archives, Sy, and that's why historical context is key. It's a very interesting letter, but it also contains some offensive imagery and language that were unfortunately a part of mid-19th century culture.
Thanks for dropping by.
Best,
Catherine
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Thank you for your interest in the blog post. Regarding the closing of the letter, "Your very Obedient Servant," I concur that this closing is concerning. However, as you state, "it was 1843, and the times were such," making the closing a unfortunate reminder of a regretable period in American History. I hope that this will not be viewed negatively, but rather as a measure of the progress we have made as a society since the letter was written.
hi there, i'll just leave my interpretation of the rebus letter below. super fun! thanks, sonya
Dear Sir,
Allow me the freedom of offering you, the National Institute, for their acceptance, and crate containing fossils, river rocks, shells, etc. recently collected by myself from the shores of the Pot-omack, etc., which will be found assorted and marked, though hastily done.
I am Sir,
with grate/great respect,
your very obedient slave,
J. Goldsborough Bruff
Easy enough... it says "Dear sir, Follow me the waiting flag bearer (leader) of offspring Heart/Golds (english octopus/heart of gold) the NATIONAL TREASURE. A box containing fossils, river (from the river), shells, nuts, leaves (pictograms), and current/electricity (&c) recently collected by the shores of the melting pot (caribbean). Omega &c (current/electricity) witches (magicians/magi) write about honey (milk&honey) found (on/by) an ass - sorted and marked though hastily done. I am sir, (not yet signed) With MUTUAL RESPECT, Your very Obedient"
My interpretation is slightly different from the previous comments:
[Washington], August 14th, 1843
Dear [Deer] Sir,
Allow me the [liberty] of offering to [toe], the NATIONAL INSTITUTE, for their [axe]-ceptance, a [crate] containing Fossils, River-]shells], etc. recently collected by myself from the shores of the [Pot]-omack, etc., which [witch] [will] be [bee] found [ass]-sorted and marked, though hastily done.
I[eye] am Sir,
with great [grate] respect,
your very obedient [servant],
J. Goldsborough Bruff
To [toe]
F. Markoe, Esq.
Corresponding Secretary
of the National Institution
Wow,good job! I looked this document over for quite a while and came up with the same answer that you have, as to the interpretation of the pictographs! I, at first was stumped with a few things and did not know what the capitalized letters represented,but the rest I was able to read. After reading your interpretation you brought it all together! That was quite fun, I can see why it was saved,I imagine those who read the letter found the humor in it as well! Have a great Holiday Season, ...~Terrie~
Thanks to all for these excellent contributions today! Tad will be back soon with a second blog post installment on this letter.
I think your transcription is spot-on, and I concur that the cleverness of the letter is probably what landed it in the archives. One of the things I love about doing archival research are the little gems you stumble across while looking for other things.
This letter reminds me of an exchange between King George VI of Great Britain (though I don't remember if it occurred before or after his accession to the throne) and a fellow rhododendron enthusiast. The two used the species names of various varieties of rhododendron to "encode" their meanings in letters they exchanged. Nothing secret or clandestine, just an "in" joke between friends. I know the exchange is reproduced in Sir John Wheeler-Bennett's official biography, so it could be dated.
This was so much fun to decipher:)
My interpretation is.
Dear sir,
Allow me the liberty of offering to National Institue,
For their acceptance, a box containing fossil, river-shells etc.
recently collected by myself from the shores of the Potomack.
Which will be found assorted and marked, though hastily done.
I am sir,
With great respect
Your obedient servant
J. Goldsborough Bruff
I am simply overwhelmed by all of the interest and participation in this blog post, and must thank everyone for your contributions. Such clever readers we have, as your interpretations of the letter are in line with the consensus among the staff here at the Archives. This positive reinforcement makes us confident that we have broken the code put forth by Mr. A. Goldsborough Bruff! A second post with a detailed review of the letter will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead, so please stay tuned, and thank you again for making this exercise a tremendous success!
I love this blog. You have inspired me to write a Rebus letter with encoded messages. I use to have my students (second graders) read and then create Rebus stories, but the idea of a Rebus coded letter will be so much fun to send to someone. Thanks for your blog and for this delightful piece of 19th century life.
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