'SYMBOLS OF AMERICA' SERIES

4/26/2020

Below is the envelope of the May 2nd 1978 Channel 9 letter featured on zodiackiller.com, mailed to KHJ-TV in Los Angeles just eight days after the "I Am Back With You" letter, postmarked April 24th 1978. There have been links forged on the Zodiac Killer Site forum between two of the 1978 letters and the March 8th 1981 "Atlanta" letter, mailed to West Peachtree Street in Atlanta. All three carried the Symbols of America stamps of the 13c Liberty Bell, 13c Eagle and Shield, and 15c American Flag from the Americana Seies. In addition to these three communications, another communication was mailed on July 19th 1978 to the San Francisco Chronicle from Los Angeles, rambling on about tape waiting for him all over California. In this analysis, I would like to focus initially on the three 1978 letters mailed within three months of one another, as well as the Melvin Belli letter mailed to 1228 Montgomery Street in San Francisco on December 20th 1969. The reason to jump back to 1969, was not only because the handwriting on the Melvin Belli letter looked somewhat similar to the Channel 9 envelope, but because of the content contained within it.

May 2nd 1978 Channel Nine envelope

The Melvin Belli letter contained the phrases I am afraid I will loose control again, I will loose all controol of my self and Please help me I can not remain in control for much longer. The communications on April 24th 1978 and July 19th 1978, either side of the Channel 9 letter, both continued this theme of control. The April 24th 1978 letter concluded with "I am now in control of all things". The July 19th 1978 letter concluded with "I am the ZODIAC and I am in control," but also began with "I am the ZODIAC and I am in control of all things". One couldn't help thinking that this theme should be present in the Channel 9 letter, therefore binding it to the other two 1978 letters - and possibly the Zodiac Killer.

The upper left corner of an envelope is usually reserved for the sender's name and address, but the author of the Channel 9 letter has placed 1234567 All Good Children Go To Heaven (abbreviated) from The Beatles You Never Give Me Your Money lyrics, as well as drawing the Apple logo from their record label in the bottom left corner. However, we are left with the boxed off section in the top left corner of the envelope, which if a mirror image just like the other writing, should be the acronym AIC. Was the answer present in the July 19th 1978 letter, when he twice stated "I AM THE ZODIAC AND I AM IN CONTROL", or are we looking for a continuation of The Beatles theme regarding the letters AIC.

If we consider one author responsible for the April 24th 1978, May 2nd 1978, July 19th 1978 and March 8th 1981 letters - and he bought several "blocks of four stamps" of the Americana Series in one visit - then we may be able to track the selection of his stamps in respect to his mailings. The Americana Series stamps followed a very uniform plan that outlined the designs of individual stamps as well as the blocks of four. In all, there were five different blocks, each with a different theme, but similar design style – the subject in the center, and the title curving around two of the edges. When all four stamps were placed together, the titles created a frame around the stamps. The five themes were Roots of Democracy, Rights and Freedoms of the American People, Symbols of America, Pioneer America, and America’s Light. Mysticstamp.com.

If the Zodiac Killer was to purchase several of the Symbols of America Series (shown below), these would have been the appropriate postage for the time. The postage was 13c from December 31st 1975 until May 29th 1978, when it switched to 15c. Then on March 22nd 1981 the postage increased to 18c. So three of these stamps would be the correct postage for his three 1978 letters and March 8th 1981 letter, had he applied just one to each.

Let us assume that the Zodiac Killer buys these blocks of four stamps just prior to his first 1978 letter on April 24th 1978. We will use the two blocks shown above to follow his course of action. Being right-handed, he tears off the two upper right Liberty Bell stamps and affixes them to his April 24th 1978 (I Am Back With You) letter. He then tears off one of the upper left Eagle and Shield stamps and affixes it to his May 2nd 1978 (Channel 9) letter. On the block of four with only two stamps remaining, he tears off the 15c American Flag stamp and affixes it to his July 19th 1978 (Friction Tape) letter. This is the easiest of the two options available to him. The stamp on the July 19th 1978 envelope is unknown because we don't have this correspondence available, so this is just a calculated guess. This would have been his only choice from the Symbols of America Series, because the stamp price increased to 15c on May 29th 1978. Then on March 8th 1981 he used the only remaining 15c American Flag stamp from the block of three stamps.

The Zodiac Killer would be left with one redundant 13c Eagle and Shield stamp in respect to correct postage for any letter up to one ounce. If another potential Zodiac letter is discovered to have been mailed between April 24th 1978 (I Am Back With You letter) and May 29th 1978 (when the 13c postage increased), and it contains an Eagle and Shield stamp on the envelope from the Symbols of America Series, we have to consider it as a strong contender for the same responsible.

If the above letters were just mailed by random hoaxers unconnected to one another, it would be rather unusual to expect three independent and consecutive communications claiming to be the Zodiac Killer, to have all contained three Symbols of America stamps from the Americana Series. If the Zodiac Killer kept a secret stash containing his writing paper, marker pens and a supply of stamps for "future use", away from prying eyes, then it is not difficult to understand how the sequence of his mailings could have unfolded.

22 Comments

Richard

4/26/2020 09:20:42 am

Just corrected a couple of items above. Sorry for the original errors.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/26/2020 10:06:40 am

A great presentation , Richard , and will spend more time examining it .

But , just wanted to mention that I've been though the houses on those three alphabetic letters , at the top left-hand corner of the May 2nd 1978 envelope.and can only conclude that , given the ''..1234...' abbreviated form for the chorus of '' You never give me your money '' is in mirror image , that the (presumed) Zodiac had intended to add '' CIA '' in mirror image form,also .

But,just wrote it out , incorrectly . '' CIA '' was his intention , I believe , to add intrigue to the Manson / Beatles theme going on .

Richard

4/26/2020 10:48:10 am

July 13th 2019

"I doubt very much they have the murder weapon. Police speculated on a spanner, tyre lever or poker. However, the severity of her injuries suggests something closer to the latter two. If the killer entered through a window and lay in wait, it is likely he brought the weapon with him. Don't buy the burglar angle, because there is no need for that response. Most burglars will either scarper or just assault the person in order to escape. It's a big leap from common burglar to ruthless bludgeoning murderer. The first person you look at in these cases are the husband, or in her case violent ex partner. It says Dr Harrison was ruled out, but without knowing how the police came to this conclusion we may never know. He threatened her just before her murder, likely knew the layout of her flat, and now has emigrated to Holland. Do the math, as the Zodiac film stated".

Never usually have to look that far. Ain't rocket science as they say.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/26/2020 01:41:37 pm

Yes indeed , Richard , and well articulated . The man seen leaving Brenda's flat , by the milkman ( approximately 4 a.m. ) , was carrying a green duffle bag .

Brenda is presumed to have arrived home , from her dinner date , with two businessmen , at local '' Tree Tops Hotel '' , a little before 2 a.m. . So, presumed attack with an unspecified metallic object , around 2 a.m . This means that Brenda's perpetrator stayed in her flat ,for about 2 hours before leaving . The assumption is that he did some cleaning up of himself , and may have had some change of clothing . Then put bloodied clothing , plus murder weapon , in his duffle bag , removing himself and the bag , from her flat , at about 4 a.m.

The perpetrator had placed Brenda's body in her bed . The only item , belonging to Brenda , believed to be missing , was her wristwatch .It does seem that this was because her watch would have told time of death , if it was broken , in attempting to defend herself .

Richard

4/26/2020 10:50:19 am

Yeh, took me about 40 edits.

Richard

4/26/2020 10:56:54 am

Could have meant CIA Rubislaw, but I wanted to be strict and take it on face value. Shame it isn't IAIC for "I am in control", but that would be stretching it, literally. Because of his Scotch tape and name all over California, stating "I have my name on the bottom of the lid with the scotch tape....My tape is waiting for me all over California", I thought he maybe had his home address in the top corner of the envelope on the previous correspondence, as AROUND IN CALIFORNIA (AIC). Probably not.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/27/2020 08:36:26 am

Perhaps to mention an explanation of why the presumed Zodiac might choose to write out the abbreviated form of the chorus of '' You never give me your money '' on the envelope :

Many will be aware that this appeared written on a mirror , in blood , at the crime scene of the Tate murders . So , an explanation might be that the Zodiac took the image one step further , as such , and has depicted this in mirror image form , and added an exclamation mark . But why ? :

To illustrate the Zodiac's all seeing , all knowing self . As if he knew what went on , that night , by observing the crime , from behind the mirror .

In essence , as '' Alice through the looking glass '' where many things that went on , were turned on their head , in relation to what might be considered normal behaviour .

Richard

4/27/2020 08:48:43 am

All the reports I've read Rubislaw say it was written on the door of the Spahn Ranch.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/27/2020 09:08:24 am

I have seen some photos Richard , and it does look likely...but the large window panel of the door . So one presumes a similar analogy ( ? ).

The Zodiac may be asking the question of was he actually there , or observing from outside in ( ? ) .

A ''screwball '' explanation ( lol ) , from a '' screwball '' Zodiac ( ? ) .

Rubislaw 32 link

4/26/2020 02:43:21 pm

I presume Richard , that you know the rest of the '' Brenda Page story '' , from about 6 a m. onward ?

If one assumes that the Zodiac '' borrowed '' reportage of Brenda's murder , for the July 19th 1978 letter , as a murder for himself....then where or how did he hear about the murder ? Was the Zodiac residing locally to Aberdeen , at that time ? And , if LE investigations were , or have been since aware of the possible implications of a subliminal Brenda Page murder message , then has this assisted LE's investigations since ( ? ) .

Undoubtedly there is a '' warped flavour '' of a sort , to Brenda's murder , as a story . The very attractive young divorcee , as a highly intelligent and popular academic , who as an escort also ,had a side to her life , unbeknown to most who knew her .

One could imagine , a story that would catch the attention of the Zodiac .

Richard

4/26/2020 03:26:56 pm

I know all about the story Rubislaw. The 1978 "Fricton Tape" letter is probably the most cryptic message mailed by, probably Zodiac. As such it can be interpreted in hundreds of different ways. We both have wildly different opinions on this communication, but probably both lean towards it being authored by Zodiac. To be honest, even the best suggestion I've ever come up with on this letter, probably isn't even close to the answer. All I do know is that Brenda Page's murderer will see less justice than he should have got. I've always maintained, the more cryptic the communication, the more explanations you will get to explain its meaning. Therefore, the more explanations you get, is an indication greater lack of clarity in the communication - and as such, proving we have the correct answer over everybody else. I certainly wouldn't hang my hat on some of the Zodiac ramblings - and this letter is case in point.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/26/2020 06:29:05 pm

And to think , albeit Brenda Page's murder 42 years ago , it has been five years ( February 2015 ) since a re-investigation into her murder was formally requested by the Lord Advocate .

Mr.Harrison has known for the last five years that his time might be up , but just sat tight .

I suppose some people carrying guilt , simply manage to put it out of their mind . As if '' that person '' who did that terrible thing , couldn't possibly be '' them'' as a person , now ( ? ) .

Richard

4/27/2020 12:46:43 pm

The AIC is written in the return address section of the envelope. This is where the sender should place his address. So let's take this as what he did, but abbreviated it like the 1234567 AGCGTH. So where was the sender of the Channel 9 letter resident (or wanted to make you believe he was resident).

In his following letter he stated "My tape is waiting for me all over California". We have a fair inkling that Zodiac was a resident of California for the bulk of his activity - and I know you favour the Los Angeles area Rubislaw.

So part of the return address could be California, represented by the letter C. This communication was postmarked Anaheim, California, which is a city in Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Therefore we have Anaheim (A) and California (C).
Therefore, the Zodiac Killer was telling us his return address was "ANAHEIM IN CALIFORNIA". He obviously was never going to give us his full address, so abbreviated it to AIC, which matches the postmark and is relevant to its position on the envelope. It also satisfies your belief of a Zodiac Killer in Los Angeles. Possibly Anaheim In California?

Richard

4/27/2020 01:43:55 pm

The writing in the top left corner is effectively reveresed. If you reversed this letter back to its sender, it would be "Anaheim In California". Often the return address is placed on the REVERSE of the envelope.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/27/2020 02:32:11 pm

Yes , I got a shaving mirror to actually take a good look at that top left-hand area of the envelope , Richard . One presumes that the Zodiac would have written out what he actually desired , then copied the reflection from a shaving mirror , or similar ( ? ) .

It seems to be '' very deliberate '' , that he intended '' A I C '' .

So , '' Anaheim in California '' could well be what is intended .

Doesn't '' Anaheim '' itself have a Manson Clan connection ?

Richard

4/27/2020 03:03:41 pm

Already working on it. Found loads more.Shall do another article tomorrow on the whole Channel 9 letter. Everything fits. Manson and much more. Save any comments on this matter until I've done article so we can put them on a more relevant comments section.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/27/2020 04:00:10 pm

Thanks Richard .

~Bill

4/28/2020 07:39:40 pm

Richard and Co., sorry, I was bored and wanted to stop by. I posted something on the '78 letter also. This envelope does look "good". I see some "faint" start/stop bleeding even at this resolution, which to me indicates a slow, careful stroke, and slightly "unnatural". I can not dismiss this letter, however, on just "this". I have previously "viewed" a relatively good "envelope" and a relatively "bad" letter construct. This could possibly be a pattern in and of itself. I will take a look at the letter when I get a chance.

~Bill

~Bill

4/28/2020 07:57:17 pm

Sorry guys, I think I must have posted it in the wrong thread. Here it is again.

Richard and co., there is one angle that the killer could have played with the '78 letters. If he picked up on this "Herb Caen "hoax", in the media in '78, he very well could have "propagated" this dead-end in the letters your are referencing further into obscurity. This would be effective to a certain degree, even if it just caused general disagreement as to the authenticity. I have not reviewed all of this material. It is possible, after reviewing all these letters in one "batch" comparison would better help me determine this. Sorry, I just wanted to drop by and look at what you guys have.

~Bill

~Bill

4/28/2020 08:14:25 pm

Sorry, also a "single" stamp, and have we ever witnessed another "Number 9" like this? (yes, as in Revolution #9, and #9, #9, #9, #9)? I am just curious.

~Bill

~Bill

4/28/2020 09:31:56 pm

Is there something in the symbol that you guys refer to as the "Apple" logo? Is that a "number 4? or swastika? or two eyes and teeth? I can't see this clearly to determine this at this resolution. Is there any other higher resolution image?

~Bill

~Bill

4/28/2020 10:15:37 pm

I tend to view the Zodiac writer at giving us "Beatles" references in a very light sprinkle. This is a virtual waterfall. But, this also, by itself, cannot rule this out. BTW, this is JUST for the envelope.

'SYMBOLS OF AMERICA' SERIES

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