Finding Aid for the Cryptography Manuscripts collection

Repository: Kent State University. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: Cryptography Manuscripts collection
Inclusive Dates: 1915-1961
Author: Finding aid prepared by Cara Gilgenbach, 2022; Updated May 2026
Extent: .33 cubic feet (1 box = 1 document case, 1 oversized folder)
Physical Location: 11th floor 
Abstract: This collection contains cryptography manuscripts, letters, and photographs.
Language: English
Descriptive Rules: DACS 2nd Edition

Scope and Content: This collection contains miscellaneous manuscripts relating to cryptography, primarily correspondence dating from 1915 to 1961. Also included are photographs associated with the American Cryptogram Association (ACA). These materials form part of the Library of the ACA (George C. Lamb Collection), which is on deposit in the Department of Special Collections and Archives.

Statement of Arrangement: The Cryptography Manuscripts collection is arranged chronologically. 

Separated Material: Please note that related books have been cataloged in LIBRARYsearch.

Box 1
Folder -- Contents

1. 1915: Correspondence of Parker Hitt and Samuel Reber [SEE ALSO item 4 below]
   -- 1915, Sept. 25. Hitt, Parker. To Colonel [Samuel] Reber. [typed letter, copy], 1p.
   -- 1915, Sept. 30. Reber, Samuel. To Captain [Parker] Hitt. [typed letter, copy], 1p.
2. 1931, Sept. Yardley, Herbert Osborn. To William E. Betts. [typed letter, signed], 1p.
3. 1931, Dec. 24. Yardley, Herbert Osborn. To William E. Betts. [typed letter, signed], 1p.
   Accompanied by: Article "Cryptograms and Their Solutions" by Herbert O. Yardley as published in the Saturday Evening Post, Nov. 21, 1931, and two unidentified photographs.
4. 1938: Correspondence of Parker Hitt
   -- 1938, July 14. "Phertikrat" [Hitt, Parker]. To "The Members of my Friendly Group" [typed letter, signed], 1p.
   -- 1938, Sept. 16. "Phertikrat" [Hitt, Parker]. To "Members of my Friendly Group" [typed letter, signed], 1p.
5. [1938]. Gaines, Helen Fouché. Elementary Cryptanalysis: A study of ciphers and their solution... Sponsored by The American Cryptogram Association. [typed document, carbon]. 305p.
6. 1938. Sacco, Luigi. Manual of Cryptography. [typed document]. 277p. [translation by Helen F. Gaines of Sacco's Manual di Crittografia, Rome, 1936, 2nd ed.].
7. 1940, Jan. 15. Piccola, [Gaines, Helen Fouché]. To Ayemache. [typed letter, signed], 1p.
8. 1961, June 18. Peck, Andrew S. To B Natural [typed letter, signed] 3p.
   Accompanied by: "Francis Bacon Equals William Shakespeare" by Andrew S. Peck. [typescript], 12p., 1961.
9. Undated. Givierge, General M. Course in Cryptography; Translated from the French of General M. Givierge by Amsco and Piccola. [typescript], 242 p.

Oversized Folder
Contents

1. Photograph: ACA and National Puzzlers League, Joint Annual Convention Banquet, Hotel Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, September 3, 1939
2. Photograph: National Puzzlers League of America 114 Semi-Annual and ACA 8th Annual Convention, Parker House, Boston, September 1, 1940
3. Photograph: ACA 14th Annual Convention, Hotel New Yorker, New York City, August 31, 1946
4. Photograph: ACA 15th Annual Convention, Knickerbocker Hotel, Chicago, August 30, 1947
5. Photograph: ACA and National Puzzlers League, Annual Dinner, Hotel New Yorker, New York City, September 4, 1948 (Please note: for unknown reasons, this photograph is cut in half.)
6. Photograph: ACA Banquet, unknown location, undated
7. Photograph: Lamb George C. tinted photograph, undated