This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/16/2023
[CRYPTOLOGY]. CORVIN, Otto (1812–1886). The Secret Letter Writer. A Comprehensible and Secure System of Cipher–Writing for General Use. New York: William Radde, 1865 [Milwaukee: C.N. Caspar Co. (paste over slip)].
32mo. Foldout table; errata slip and 6pp. publisher’s ads at end. Original drab boards.
FIRST EDITION. “My participation in the political troubles of Europe procured me once a very involuntary leisure of six years in the solitary cell of a prison, and I made use of it to solve many problems, and among other things I invented this system of cipher–writing” (preface). Corvin was a German rebel who fought during the French uprising of 1848 and the Baden revolt of 1848–49. In 1849, Corvin was court martialed by the Prussians and sentenced to six years in solitary confinement. Upon his release, Corvin taught German and worked for Charles Dickens on All the Year Round and Household Words. In 1861, he traveled to the U.S. to cover the Civil War for The Times, which is likely when he wrote this work on cipher–writing which was essential during the War because of the extensive use of telegraphy as both sides were intercepting unencrypted communications by means of wiretapping. RARE: OCLC does not locate any copies institutionally and we cannot locate any copies at auction.