Coded Telegram
MS M.1 coded telegram
Jesse Erickson:
One of the greatest treasures of the Morgan Library, the Lindau Gospels, was one of Pierpont Morgan’s best-known acquisitions. Approaching the Lindau Gospels, it is easy to be captivated by the opulence of its enchanting covers.
Junius Morgan, Pierpont Morgan’s nephew, was enormously instrumental in elevating Morgan’s collecting. On this occasion he sent a cable to his uncle when he chanced upon an extraordinary opportunity to acquire the manuscript. Utilizing a coded message, he relayed to his uncle the marvels of the Lindau Gospels. Remarkably, it was available for £10,000. Undaunted, Morgan seized the manuscript and orchestrated its journey to New York. International communications from Morgan skillfully employed encryption, safeguarding the secrecy of his financial transactions. Here is the coded text in its entirety.
Tambales solmites [can obtain for you] famous gospels ninth or tenth centuries gold and jewel binding of time treasure of great value stomachers [and interest] reported unequalled england or france ashburnhams cogete [price] asked rebullir [ £10,000] am told been [£8,000] parsees triturar [strongly recommend] mailing full description.