Other pages featured drawings of ‘nymphs’ in fastastical situations:

There has been extensive research over the years but still the language of the book cannot be understood and the author cannot be identified. Many suspected that the book was a hoax — either perpertrated by Voynich himself or some other person (the philosopher Roger Bacon, being a prime ’suspect’). But scientists have carbon-dated the parchment of the book to the 1400’s and evidence suggests that the ink used to write the text was from the same time period. So not a hoax by Voynich, then.

You’ll find links to this subject all over the net but here are a few to start you off if you are interested — its certainly something I’ll be checking out again:

The Voynich Manuscript — will we ever be able to read this book

World Mysteries — the Voynich Manuscript

And has this person Cracked the Voynich code?

A lovely, unusual old book with a story that begins “Once upon a time…”, which is always a very welcome start to any story.The boards of the book are not glued but tied up with twine and all the print and illustrations are in green ink.

Strange Old Children’s Book

The little girl was called Annie Philpot and Cameron counted this photograph as her first ever successful photograph — here’s her reaction to the photograph:

‘I was in a transport of delight. I ran all over the house to search for gifts for the child. I felt as if she entirely had made the picture. I printed, toned, fixed and framed it, and presented it to her father that same day: size 11 by 9 inches. Sweet, sunny haired Annie! No later prize has effaced the memory of this joy”

The quote and image are from the Victoria & Albert Museum website — who have an exhibition of Cameron’s work on and several pages on the photographer’s life and work, including information on her working methods. Julia Margaret Cameron

Which reminded me — I’ve never been to the V & A and I really want to pay it a visit. Every time I go to London its always a working day trip and there has never been time to visit art galleries or museums. I’m planning an overnight trip for next time: one day of work and a day where I can visit some museums and other lovely places.

Another thing — I wonder who Annie Philpot was and what happened to her?
Update — I’ve since learned that Annie was eight years old at the time the photograph was taken; she was an orphan who was staying with her guardians — who were friends of the Camerons on the Isle of Wight. Source