STEGANOGRAPHY:

original: "STEGANOGRAPHIA" — derived from the Greek words for "hidden" and "writing."

That is:

THE ART OF

REVEALING THE WILL

OF ONE’S MIND TO

THOSE WHO ARE ABSENT

through hidden writing;

BY THE AUTHOR

THE MOST REVEREND AND DISTINGUISHED MAN,

JOHANNES TRITHEMIO, Abbot of Sponheim, and

a most perfect Master C^u No 447.

of Natural Magic.

Natural Magic in this context refers to the study of the hidden powers of nature and mathematics—including cryptography—rather than "black magic."

PREFIXED TO THIS WORK IS ITS OWN KEY, OR

a true introduction composed by the Author himself;

HITHERTO GREATLY DESIRED BY MANY,

but seen by very few:

But now made public for the benefit of students

of the more secret Philosophy.

With the Privilege and consent of the Superiors.

A standard legal and ecclesiastical notice indicating the book had official permission to be printed.

A rectangular decorative woodcut ornament with floral and foliate motifs.

A circular library stamp located on the right side of the page. It features a central cross with the letters "ME" beneath it. The surrounding border text reads "SEM. DE S... STRANGELS...". Above the stamp is a small hand-inked cross.

DARMSTADT.

From the Printing House of Balthasar Aulæander, at the expense of

JOHANNES BERNER, Bookseller of Frankfurt.

-> In the Year 1621.