THE CELEBRITY CYPHER

3/21/2019

Luis Campos, born in Santiago, Dominican Republic is an inventor, poet and cryptographer who created puzzles and ciphers for the United Features Syndicate of New York, beginning in 1983. He would create six celebrity ciphers a week, featuring famous quotes from well-known people, past and present. The reader had to identify the person and quote from the encoded text. The characters in the cryptograms were deliberately spaced into separate words, as shown on the right.

On September 25th 1990 somebody mailed the celebrity cypher to the Vallejo Times-Herald, approximately three months before the 1990 'Eureka' card, often associated with the Zodiac Killer. Bearing in mind the 408 cipher mailed to the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner and Vallejo Times-Herald on July 31st 1969, many have pondered whether this postcard was mailed by the Bay Area murderer. There is little to prove this notion one way or another, but if somebody was mimicking the Zodiac Killer, one might expect the wording on the card to equally mimic previous correspondence, in particular, phrases he used with respect to his codes and ciphers.

Many people have put forward solutions to the celebrity cypher, including the website Zodiologists.com and Rubislaw32 (a regular contributor to this site). Some of these solutions can be found on Ricardo Gomez's Project MK-Zodiac site. But here, I am not going to tackle the celebrity cypher from the angle of cryptology, because not only do I have a basic knowledge of ciphers, but also, the mere fact that so many people of greater ability than me have come to wildly different conclusions, is evidence of a code that is malleable. In other words, this code is open to subjective interpretation and no solution, despite the belief of the code-cracker, has been universally accepted. Of course, nobody knows, or could know with certainty, who the author of this postcard is. However, if the author mailed a cipher to the Vallejo Times-Herald in an attempt to pass this communication off under the guise of Zodiac-style correspondence, could it be argued that the sender is also a murderer? One attempted solution caught my eye on the Zodiac Killer Site forum - and this is the path I will follow, despite the pitfall of characters being hidden behind the stamp. Here is the card, on which I have added some notations which will be explained later.

Celebrity Cypher-September 25th 1990

13 Symbol Cipher

The first thing to notice is that the author likely places his name and address on the upper left hand side of the celebrity cypher, and also signs off the card with his name. Often a sender will provide a return address on the left side of a postcard or envelope. This is backed up by the identical thirteen characters beginning and ending the correspondence. Then we have to predict what the preceding text is before the author signs off with their name. On the left is the '13 Symbol' cipher mailed by the Zodiac Killer on April 20th 1970. He precedes the code or name with My name is.

In the Luis Campos example at the top of the page, the final line is reserved for the name. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that the Zodiac Killer or somebody imitating him, would write My name is before signing off with their name. This may be preceded by a question, such as "Do you know me", in view of the Bay Area murderer having committed his crimes just under 21 years ago. A variation of do you remember me? Even if the author wasn't the Zodiac Killer, they may have been projecting the idea that they were.

The next thing to look at is the return address. It has 10 characters followed by seven, then two. Many on the Zodiac Killer forum have deduced that the bottom line of the return address to be Oakland, CA - so I will run with this idea. The postcard was postmarked Oakland, so it's reasonable to conclude the return address would be Oakland too. This being the case, the 10 characters above must represent the area within Oakland. Now comes the simple task of finding a potential murderer who possibly authored this postcard. Somebody who knew of the Zodiac Killer, lived in an area of Oakland (comprised of 10 letters), and was eventually caught and convicted of murder. Surprisingly, if you type into Google search "Oakland, murderer, 1990" a possible answer is served up on a plate. Somebody who certainly lived in Oakland up to 1992, murdered two women in Oakland Hills that year, and lived with his grandparents near to Skyline Road and Golf Links Road, the deposition site of the two murdered women. Where exactly his grandparents lived, I have yet to ascertain, but there is a 10-letter neighborhood in East Oakland called Castlemont. It is less than a mile from Golf Links Road. His name was Monte Crawford, exactly fitting the 5 and 8 characters at the foot of the celebrity cypher.

Monte Crawford, a military veteran, was sentenced on Friday, August 1st 2014 to 40 years to life for the 1992 double murder of Tredis Penny (26) and Shirley Wynn (38), both strangled and sexually assaulted, before being dumped in the Oakland Hills. I have no idea whatsoever if Monte Crawford was responsible for the celebrity cypher, but he did live in Oakland, in or near Castlemont, both of which fit the code, and he was capable of murder as he showed just one and a half years later, if he wasn't already a killer at this juncture.

Click image to enter Google maps

61 Comments

Rubislaw 32 link

3/21/2019 09:41:46 am

Nice that you give the 1990 Celebrity Cipher,an airing,Richard.

Confident that the solution has already been achieved,I certainly won't be criticising anyone else's efforts.

This solution [...Rubislaw 32's..] has been the ''catalyst'',as far as I can see,for kick starting renewed efforts,by the authorities,to expose the Zodiac Killer,in the last four years.''That'',anyway,and my embarrassing NCIS Washington,by exposing them,as the guardians of the military records,of Zodiac related ''POI'''s.

Yes..one becomes ''braver'',as one becomes more fed up,with the authorities ''dragging their feet'',on the case.

What I really wanted to ask of anyone is,how is the ''system'' of placement of images,at ''Google Images'',worked out [?].

Rubislaw 32's solution to the 1990 Celebrity Cipher,has held No.1 position,for said solutions...for the almost 2 years,that it has been available to view.But,just in the last month,the image has been removed,all together....and can only be viewed,by going directly to the Project MK-Zodiac site.

What happened ? Does anyone have any technical knowledge,regarding its sudden ''disappearance''.

If anyone is interested in the solution...the overall ''inference'' is,that the Zodiac had acquired some ''passable'' French,by 1990,at the latest.Hence,''suspicions'',at least,that the Zodiac may have headed for Europe,when he first disappeared from the Bay area extortion arena,in the latter half of 1971.

Richard

3/21/2019 10:23:21 am

I thought you would like a good airing of this postcard Rubislaw. I am sure everybody has their personal preferences for any solution, but I didn't want to tackle it from the standpoint of a message on the left, because I felt the message would be reserved for the right side. Anyway, it's open for discussion one way or another. I wish I could access the "Zodiac and the Riddler" card, but information is limited.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/21/2019 11:15:41 am

Gosh Richard...I haven't heard of the ''Zodiac and the Riddler'' card.

Is it known by another name,or one of these correspondences,rumoured to exist,like the DMV letter ?

Richard

3/21/2019 11:29:50 am

I'm sure I've seen it in a file somewhere - I will take a look.

Shawn link

3/21/2019 10:02:32 am

Some people think this card (if Zodiac related) has something to do with the upcoming 21st anniversary of Lake Berryessa.....the card postmarked 9/25/1990.

On the reverse side is a picture of driftwood on a ocean beach.

Richard

3/21/2019 10:14:06 am

https://www.apartments.com/driftwood-apartments-oakland-ca/2lxd888/

Rubislaw 32 link

3/21/2019 02:46:18 pm

What I find interesting about the ''Monte Crawford'' solution is,that it has ''ventured'' that there are 64 characters to the solution.

We should bear in mind that,strictly speaking,the 1990 Celebrity Cipher is referred to,as ''Z63''....including an acknowledged single character,behind the postage stamp.

Rubislaw 32's ''ventures'' Z63 to actually be ''Z65'',with three ''in total'' characters,behind the postage stamp.And that further,that ''Zodiac'' set up the cipher,in its original form,as 5 rows of 13 columns.

One might note that ''Z263'',which ''Zodiac'' is presumed to have offered,in the two 1988 New Canaan Letters [...Dear George..],had a grid system that also contained ''13 columns''.

And,that these two ciphers contrast with ''Z408'' and ''Z340'',that were grid systems,containing ''17 columns''.

Technical cryptography aside,Lyndon Lafferty was informed by the Vallejo and Benicia Police that,the 1990 Celebrity Cipher and Benicia High School Note,are ''related''.

Now,one might be inclined to take that,with a pinch of salt [?].But,if we are to read anything into the claim then one assumes that the police forces are/were referring to ''forensically linked''.

The 1990 Celebrity Cipher and Benicia High School Note are 18 years apart....which is food for thought.

Only the FBI and CA DOJ know the real answer,to that.

And,may I add....only the FBI and CA DOJ know what,precisely,lies behind the Marianne Moore postage stamp....on the 1990 Celebrity Cipher Postcard.

Richard

3/21/2019 03:18:00 pm

Yes, I have concluded it was a Z-64 cipher. One reason I came to this conclusion, is that if the author had placed 2 or 3 characters under the stamp, this could be construed as extremely careless, but accidentally covering one less so. Also, what looks like an M partially covered cannot be the end of that part of the message because it would end with A or I (single letter word) and therefore not likely. This, of course is dependent on the remainder of the message reading "My name is", followed by the name. Placing your name on the return address side and then signing off with your name to me makes sense. Repeating a 13 letter message twice less so.

I am sure with certain lighting from the other side of the card, or through the stamp they could have determined how many hidden characters there were, without pulling off the stamp. Whenever the Zodiac created a cipher of more than one row, his confirmed ciphers were always an even number. My guess is that this postcard is from somebody mimicking Zodiac, hence the choice of symbols from the 340, and as such, mailing it from Oakland (postmark) to the Vallejo Times-Herald. Somebody mimicking Zodiac and being extremely lazy, it wouldn't be that unusual for somebody to lift the phrase "My name is" from the April 20th 1970 communication. In that instance followed by 13 characters, and in this instance, again followed by 13 characters. But each to their own.

Richard

3/21/2019 03:26:50 pm

I must stress I am not claiming this as a definitive answer, I just found it unusual for a letter postmarked Oakland, Ca, has two sets of characters next to each other of 7 and 2. Monte Crawford fits the 5 and 8 where the signature would be. Castlemont is right next to the deposition site where his grandparents may have lived and fits the 10 characters of the address part, and finally, "My Name Is" fits the 2, 4 and 2 configuration just before the signature, which is where you would expect it to go.

Shawn

3/22/2019 06:35:15 am

There is a rumor spread by at least one Zodiac Killer enthusiast.

If you remember the hair under the Stine letter Stamp. Other clues can be found under stamps from other Zodiac letters.

I do not know the source of or why this person might think this.

Richard

3/22/2019 09:43:08 am

Probably just made up. Where is the story.

The Legend Continues!

3/21/2019 04:05:14 pm

Another small and probably hoaxed communication, which could mean just about anything depending on the fertility of respective imaginations.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/21/2019 04:43:30 pm

I see where you are figuratively coming from,Richard...and do understand that part of your presentation,for topics,is to engender interest....with hopefully a few new or novel suggestions,as a result.

As a general thought,we seem to be on the same wavelength,with regard to ruminations about what ''scenario'' might exist,behind that postage stamp.

Admittedly,I ''picked up'' this cipher,as simply ''something to solve'',without getting too involved in such ''possible'' distractions,as the ''Oakland'' factor [...rightly or wrongly,I might add...].

But,yes indeed....the more one studies it,the more that the postage stamp becomes crucial to the solution's outcome.

It did occur to me [...and I only started thinking ''foreign language'' after much ''unsuccessful'' time on the English Language,exclusively....]...that there was a reason for [presumed] ''Zodiac'' employment of that Marianne Moore postage stamp...in that it was particularly ''elongated'' compared to a conventional sized stamp.

''That'' being,that the author desired to cover up,more than just the ''partial M'',that we presume to perceive.

So...you have ''elected'' 64 characters...and I have ''elected'' 65.

There could be more...or less.But the size and shape of the postage stamp,does seem to ask questions that the original cipher maker,probably ''did'' want to ask of the potential solver.

Though,as mentioned,the FBI will know the answer to this...and ''that'' answer will largely have persuaded them,on whether a particular solution offered,is ''more than likely'',the correct solution.

Richard

3/21/2019 05:13:10 pm

I see other posters on the forum have pondered over the choice of the stamp. I haven't really given this angle much consideration. But Marianne Moore was an American modernist poet, critic, translator, and editor. Luis Campos was also a poet. Whether this has any relevance, I doubt it. The author of the celebrity cipher clearly had either looked at or participated in Luis Campos' puzzles and ciphers, so this may indicate he had some basic interest or knowledge of ciphers. Other than that, we can only guess.

sandy link

6/17/2019 06:23:38 pm

Richard, I do believe that card could have been from Zodiac and he chose that stamp for a reason. As it turns out Marianne Moore was born Nov 15 1887 , she died "Feb 5th" 1972. My friend CHP officer Lyndon Lafferty gave me information about the card. He said the front showed driftwood and said is said "Ocean Beach". I wish he had said which Ocean Beach, but I believe it was Ocean Beach , San Diego Ca. There was a double murder at that beach on "Feb 5th" 1964. (John and Joyce Swindle.) I believe Zodiac was giving a clue to those murders and chose the stamp as another clue to the date Feb 5th. He wanted us to look for any murder at Ocean beach on Feb 5th. I would like to see all of the Sandy Beaches-California series and see the one that shows Ocean Beach. I am very sure that the Carmel Beach is just one of that series,but not the one Zodiac sent. I am still hunting for the correct copy. I might need to fly to Southern Ca., find all of the vintage card shops, until I find the one that shows the driftwood on the white sand at Ocean Beach. Ironically I went to Vallejo Times Harold in 1990,I spoke to the editor about my suspects. The editor was Byron Tate, we stayed in touch for a few yrs. I am trying to contact him , because he might have a copy he will share? I will share what I find as soon as I get more information.

Richard

6/18/2019 12:48:01 am

Hi Sandy, the problem with Ocean Beach, San Diego is the pictures of Carmel Beach on Zodiac Killer Site forum mirroring the MKZodiac John Hinde card. Unless you manage to turn up another Hinde postcard showing the driftwood at San Diego of course. I see the connection you are trying to forge with the Swindle's in 63 - however, its a matter of whether you believe Zodiac was responsible for these murders. I have never seen the connection. If you turn up the San Diego postcard I'll certainly reconsider. Good luck.

Richard

6/18/2019 04:45:22 am

Sanibel Island, Florida, Driftwood, Ocean Beach.

This postcard is from the 1960s.

https://www.hippostcard.com/listing/sanibel-island-florida-fl-postcard-driftwood-ocean-beach/620880

Richard

6/18/2019 04:52:16 am

IGNORE WHAT I WROTE ABOVE.

Here is something I wrote elsewhere

Lyndon Lafferty supposedly saw the card and stated "reverse of card. Driftwood on Ocean Beach". If we look at the Carmel (MK Zodiac) card objectively, it neither contains "driftwood" and isn't "Ocean Beach". The MK Zodiac card does however portray Carmel Beach. Carmel only has an Ocean Avenue.

What Sandy is arguing, is that Lafferty stated "Ocean Beach" and "Driftwood", neither of which appear on the John Hinde Carmel Beach postcard. The postcard you discovered is certainly Carmel, but is it the postcard viewed by Lafferty, because the tree isn't driftwood and the beach isn't Ocean. I think this is the crux of Sandy's argument.

There is an Ocean Beach in San Diego (which is relevant to the Swindle's), and also Ocean Beach, San Francisco by the Richmond district (which is relevant to Zodiac and Paul Stine). But no Ocean Beach in Carmel as written by Lafferty. The question is, did Lafferty mention "sandy beaches".

Sanibel Island, Florida, Driftwood, Ocean Beach.

This postcard is from the 1960s.

https://www.hippostcard.com/listing/sanibel-island-florida-fl-postcard-driftwood-ocean-beach/620880

Richard

6/18/2019 08:30:10 am

Here is the final resolution after much flip-flopping Sandy:

As Rubislaw has so ably pointed out, each individual John Hinde Postcard is issued with specific code of numbers and letters in the top left of the address side. The MK Zodiac Carmel postcard has the code 2CG 66-B, and so does the 1990 Celebrity Cypher, indicating they are one and the same.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/21/2019 05:40:29 pm

I suppose there is that ''angle'' on the cipher maker,or Zodiac,himself,being a stamp collector.Mr.Wilks seems to know more about this,than most.

It's almost as if,the stamp has been picked,for what it can cover up[?].

Looking back,to four years ago...I do remember now,how I actually got started.One always seems to need a ''toe in the door'' to get started.

It was the reportage of the picture,on the front,of being driftwood,on a beach.

So,it was the paradice/Treasure Island angle,that I was looking at,as something that the cipher maker might wish,to convey.

And then,''Treasure'' to ''Pleasure'' wasn't a difficult manoeuvre...and I was ''off and running''.[....rightly or wrongly...].

Just on a specific point,that makes the 1990 Celebrity Cipher ''unique'',from any other suspected Zodiac ciphers :

It employs a mark of punctuation....a single comma.

So,that is,perhaps,a clue that something in the solution,is about to change.

As it transpires,I believe it was a change from the use of English,to the use of French.Though I had tried two other languages,before trying French.

But,who knows [?].What may not always be appreciated is,that these ciphers remain part of an active criminal investigation....and the FBI are simply not going to ''OK'' anything publicly,while this state of affairs,still exists.

The Hardens ''just'' got in there,as the FBI were moving in on the Zodiac case.

Had they put their solution forward,a month later....they would have never have got the recognition that they [rightfully] deserved.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/22/2019 06:37:43 am

Well,well...I had previous looked at some sketchy research on Luis Campos.

Originally from the Dominican Republic,a retired military man who always had an interest in puzzles.Having lived for many years in North Hollywood,he has recently moved to Idaho.

He is a published poet,and prepares 6 Celebrity Ciphers a week,for syndication,to comics and newspapers,through the United Features Syndicate.

I was aware,previously,that his first syndicated ''customer'' was ''The Baytown Sun'',with Baytown being on the East side of Houston,Texas.[...a possible ''Zodiac'' clue [?]...].

What surprises me now is,that he has ''only'' been creating the ciphers,since 1984....so,the popularity of his ciphers,to a possible ''Zodiac'',in 1990....would have been just 6 years.

Like ''Peanuts'' cartoon strips,it seemed to be accepted that the Celebrity Cipher,was something that ''Zodiac'' might have grown up,with [?].

Mr.Campos has clearly made a ''second career'' out of his syndicated ciphers.

Quote :

'' I'm a poet,also an inventor and an artist,and last,but definitely not least,a cryptographer.''.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/22/2019 06:41:35 am

....sorry,I see you have done some of that research,already,Richard.

It's the ''only six years'' of familiarity,for the cipher maker,I am surprised about.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/22/2019 07:58:33 am

Some ''disquiet'' seems to be evolving at a particular Zodiac website,over something to do with ''envelopes and a secret lab.''.

Discussions now appear to be attempting to tie in [mis]information emanating from a certain ''History Channel'' series and words that were spoken by a certain detective ''Terry Poyser''.

One dissatisfied Zodiac contributor,has just made their feelings,''crystal clear'' :

'' There was mass confusion,and I blame Tom.''

[....Who's ''Tom'' ? ..]

Richard

3/24/2019 08:55:17 am

I don't believe that is an M by the stamp Rubislaw, it is a lopsided I or a / . I have blown up the image. What makes it look like an M, is one of these random dots that plague these reproductions. The following image shows a distinct gap between / and dot. There are other similar dots on the image.

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/90_orig.gif

Rubislaw 32 link

3/24/2019 10:14:39 am

It's a difficult call,to have to make,Richard.

When this ''photocopy of a copy'' first appeared on the internet,the initial dispute was,whether it was a ''V'' or ''Y'' that appears inside the postmark.

''Definitely'' a ''V'',as far as I can see,though took some time to decide,at the outset.

There might be ''other'' considerations,when someone's solution is ''done and dusted''.The columns of the cipher,in its original form,do produce '' P A U S P'',in a Z65,which could be '' Paul Avery You Secret Pal '',for instance.There seems to be a ''history'' of the Zodiac ''tweaking'' with ''his'' columns.

But,you electing a '' Z64 '' has some merits of possibility,also.

In an initial analysis of how the [presumed] Zodiac planned his Celebrity Cipher out...the idea that he employed a Chess or Chequer Board,was very persuasive.

The Cipher work that I have done,will not have confirmed answers,unless or until the Zodiac is arrested.Though I believe that some of the solutions are likely,within realistic parameters of probability.

The alternative,is to wait for a ''thirty year legal ruling'',or similar...with the ball in the FBI's court.

And I,and a few others,will have long vacated this mortal coil,by then.

Reality checks,of any sort,can hurt a little [?].

Richard

3/24/2019 02:44:53 pm

"Do you want ID, my name is" or "If you want ID, my name is" or "If you film me, my name is". Just speculating.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/24/2019 03:57:56 pm

I think I get your gist,Richard....and it's only an opinion,from me...

''Zodiac'' has presented us with a ''holiday postcard''.

On the right hand side,he wants us to ''see'' : ''To you from me,my name is XXXXX XXXXXXXX.

Then,on the left hand side,''His'' name and address,above the Vallejo Times Herald's,as the recipient.

That ''synopsis'' is the ''sucker punch'' from ''Zodiac''....and we must try to avoid his ''sucker punch'',in order to find the correct solution.

In ''Zodiac'' 's mind,he is imagining that he is sending us a postcard,from ''Paradise Island'' far away.But the real truth of it is,that he is offering a puzzle,with a celebrity solution...that also might give us a few extra clues about him,if we solve it correctly.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/24/2019 08:23:57 pm

Oh..I see what has happened.The ''perforation'' surround,to the Marianne Moore postage stamp,has been rendered virtually invisible,by the poor quality of photocopy.

But...has impinged on the ''partial letter'' that is visible.

Doesn't guarantee the partial letter,to be an ''M'',of course.

I note now,that Lafferty doesn't feature the Celebrity Cipher Card,as ''full size'',in his book.

I wonder why [?].He had had ''first choice'' over its publication,but offered it to the internet [...via Ms.Betts and A,N.Other...],before ''The Silenced Badge'' was published.

And yet,Lafferty held on to the Benicia High School Note,for exclusive publication.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/24/2019 08:41:51 pm

Additional information....the tiny USA depiction,at ''bottom left'' of the card,contains a ''relatively large'' arrow....pointing to where the photographed beach,on the front,was taken.

I believe that this puts the beach,at somewhere in ''Orange County'' [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

3/24/2019 08:54:47 pm

.....could be a little further,up the coast....Santa Barbara,even [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

3/25/2019 10:44:29 am

I have spent many hours,trying to ascertain the source of the Celebrity Cipher....simply as a specific picture postcard,or part of a collection of picture postcards,from one source.

The biggest difficulty being,the failure to be able to read the name,above the tiny depiction of USA and Mexico.

What I have noticed is,and if anyone is interested in continuing the search at specialising websites....that I have yet to see the plain side of a picture postcard,that gives printed details,at the ''bottom left'',of that plain side.....as this postcard does.

Making this postcard,quite unusual,compared to most other commercial postcards.

If we can ascertain the postcard's source,then some other clues ,such as where and how the card was obtained,might come to light.

Richard

3/25/2019 11:17:25 am

Yes, the cards origin would be of great value. Sandy Beaches being the first.

Richard

3/25/2019 11:30:10 am

Can you make any other writing out 100%

Richard

3/25/2019 11:36:46 am

"This white small,.............................

Richard

3/25/2019 11:56:01 am

Probably "the white sand"......................

Richard

3/25/2019 12:05:49 pm

Lake Temescal is a small reservoir in the Oakland Hills, in northeastern Oakland, California. It is the centerpiece of Temescal Regional Recreation Area, also known as Temescal Regional Park (and originally, Lake Temescal Regional Park). It is a part of the East Bay Regional Park District.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Temescal

Nice white Sandy Beach.

Richard

3/25/2019 12:18:18 pm

Here's an oddity based on Monte Crawford:

Starting in the 1870s, Monte Rio was a stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad connecting Cazadero to the Sausalito, California ferry. Redwood lumber from local sawmills was shipped to build San Francisco. After the sawmills left, the area became known as Vacation Wonderland with trains transporting San Franciscans to summer cabins and even a seven story hotel downtown. Portions of the 1942 Academy Award-winning film Holiday Inn were filmed at the Village Inn Resort in Monte Rio. The trains no longer run, and the area now is mainly inhabited by full year residents.

Driftwood from lumber, Monte and a little Sandy Beach. Highly unlikely mind.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Monte+Rio,+CA,+USA/@38.4663319,-123.0103424,524m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x808421a1b142bf8d:0x1d26caea499fc5c5!8m2!3d38.4654695!4d-123.0088886

Rubislaw 32 link

3/25/2019 12:39:12 pm

Yes....I think it is : The white sand....and finally ending with a telephone number.

My instincts tell me that it was purchased,in the Los Angeles vicinity.The picture is likely to be from that area.

''Zodiac'' flies to L.A.,and hires a car,for a road trip of nostalgia,to the S.F. vicinity.

Naturally,I'm making it up....it's driving me barmy.

Richard

3/25/2019 12:39:57 pm

The white sand, coastal cliffs?, and blue Pacific and off-coast ........

Something like this.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/25/2019 03:25:24 pm

I think you are quite close to it,Richard....there is almost definitely a ''Pacific'' in there.

Just returning to the word above the depiction of USA and Mexico :

Is it possible that it could be ''Utopian'' of ''European'',even [?].

I'll give the postcard picture search,another try,veering on the side of a European possibility,for source.

I believe the final line of the small print,to be commercial details...starting ''John'',and ending with a telephone number.

Richard

3/25/2019 04:48:54 pm

It looks extremely like Utopian, but obviously it has to be relevant to the map of USA and Mexico. I originally thought of "Liberty", but now that looks wrong. I'll keep looking.

Richard

3/25/2019 05:01:39 pm

It looks like "HOME" OR "HOPE" in another version I've looked at.

Richard

3/25/2019 05:11:09 pm

I've blown and cleaned the image a bit and placed it at the foot of the article. John is correct.

Richard

3/25/2019 05:14:24 pm

"A John ----- ------- postcard"

Richard

3/25/2019 05:29:01 pm

John Miller postcards

https://www.google.co.uk/search?rlz=1C1CHFX_enGB550GB550&q=john+miller+postcard&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjr55SFxp7hAhXDrHEKHbRiBZ0QsAR6BAgIEAE&biw=1024&bih=621#imgrc=_

Richard

3/25/2019 05:32:38 pm

No, not correct, sorry.

Richard

3/25/2019 12:53:42 pm

Driftwood Drive, Los Angeles

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Driftwood+Dr,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90272,+USA/@34.0380365,-118.538883,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2a386b8593a09:0x646791b13758bbc4!8m2!3d34.038481!4d-118.5399988

Rubislaw 32 link

3/25/2019 01:00:50 pm

....so.we know that it is a commercial postcard....and we ''close to'' know that Lafferty obtained a photocopy of a copy that the Vallejo Police hold....which is just the plain side of the post card.

The FBI hold the original,as part of their ''Extortion Archives''....and observing official protocol,must have given the Vallejo Police permission,to allow Lafferty.to walk off with a photocopy of the Vallejo Police's plain side copy.

Even though,Lafferty thought that ''he got lucky''.

So,the FBI also,''denied'' the picture,on the front,to be released also....merely allowing Lafferty to know that it was a picture of driftwood,on a beach.

But...there could be more to this,than simply ''that'' [?].

There could be,for example,a printed ''greetings type'' message on the front,also...that ties in,with ''Zodiac'',giving greater credulity to the postcard being ''authentic Zodiac'' [?].

Also,it could have a ''Christmas'' theme...like a sandman,that looks like a snowman....which,might tie in,with the Eureka card,arriving a couple of months,later.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/25/2019 01:18:15 pm

I think that Lafferty got ''luckier'' than Mr.Voigt did,with Terry Poyser [?].

Mr.Voigt's visit looks as if he was introduced to a ''brand new'' cardboard box,full of ''odds and sods and rejects'' freshly delivered to the Vallejo Police.just for the ''special'' occasion.

Lafferty even got the ''real'' V.I.P. treatment,as well,when he visited the Benicia Police,and walked off with a photocopy of a copy of the Benicia High School Note.

''Terry'' might have much to answer for....but he has probably retired from the force,by now [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

3/25/2019 07:24:17 pm

Yippee....I have found the correct source :

The depiction of USA and Mexico,is printed in red ink.And the FBI have possibly ''doctored'' it a bit....since it should read '' CALIFORNIA'' above the North American land mass.

The Celebrity Cipher postard,is one of a series of postcards,whose photographer was John Hinde,a man from Somerset,England,who married into the famous ''Billy Butlins'' family,and moved to Ireland.

Hinde was,perhaps,the most prolific postcard photographer,ever,and photographed all over the world...anything from seaside resorts to H.M.The Queen.....commercial to kitch.

The bottom line of the postcard,should read :

A John Hinde Curteich Product Tel : [818] 889 6230

On e-bay,there is some of his Californian work....but sadly,one will just have to look out for '' Sandy Beaches - California ''.The picture on the front is probably,as described.....perhaps 4-6 beaches....and may ''say'' something like : ''Greetings from California''.

Two references,for access :

On e-bay :

JOHN HINDE POSTCARD CALIFORNIA POSTED 1988

UNITED STATES SANTA MONICA CALIFORNIA PALISADES PARK POSTED 1988

The second postcard,gives a publisher's address :

Mitock Publishers Inc.
7410 Greenbush Ave.
North Hollywood
California 91605

On e-bay,if one focuses specifically on a postcard,then,as in the case of the two cards given,access to zoom into the plain side of the postcards,can be made.also.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/25/2019 08:23:11 pm

SANDY BEACHES - CALIFORNIA

The white sand, ****** sun,and blue Pacific all comes together

A John Hinde Curteich Product Tel : (818) 889 6230

[....What's ****** ? ....]

Richard

3/26/2019 01:17:00 am

Great work, I think you've cracked it.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/25/2019 08:25:39 pm

.....orange sun [?]....

Rubislaw 32 link

3/26/2019 02:11:21 am

Thanks,Richard....the best course,I think,is for anyone keen,to keep a check on e-bay,to find the specific postcard employed,for the Celebrity Cipher....when a seller pops up.

There are sites that hold limited collections of Hinde's work.There is one that claim to have 5 postcards....but actually only have 4,since one called ''California - Sandy Beaches'',is unavailable.

The FBI have doctored ''a little''....and I believe,do this sometimes,as well as redactions [?].

It does begger the question that,in certain active criminal cases,do they actually employ someone,with a list of ''materials'',that they wish,to keep from public gaze [?]....as,for instance,on the internet.

Well,it is possible.....the whole purpose of NCIS Washington,hanging on to the military records of Zodiac related POI's is,so that we the public,can't readily access,and read them.

Ordinarily,if one can prove to be a ''first blood'' relative of a serviceman,now deceased,then one has a legal right to view their service record.But,agencies like NCIS,clearly operate to screen or vet anyone seeking to view a particular military record,in question.

So,that only genuine relatives get the chance...and even then,may have difficulty in accessing.

Rubislaw 32 link

3/27/2019 09:25:43 pm

Just done some research on the ''Richard Nixon'' postcard,Richard,which I think must be considered a ''possible'' Zodiac correspondence.

[ HEARNAP FBI File 32 : Pages 90 - 92 ]

Postmark : 974 PM 23 MAY 1974

[..This means that it was probably mailed from between Portland and Medford,Oregon...on Interstate 5...]

A U.S. 1973 Christmas Postage Stamp - 8 Cents - ''Madonna''.

The Postcard Picture Title :

McKenzie River,Oregon,with Three Sisters in background.

[...a river setting,with mountainous background...]

Source Details :

Northwest Curio & Post Card Co. 917 Island,Boise,Idaho

Color by Mike Roberts,Berkeley,Calif. 94710

Northwest Photographic Illustrators

Postcard code : NCO - 58

Left-hand side :

DEAR KING

WE KNOW WHERE

PATTY HEARST IS

BUT WAIT TILL

WE GET YOUR

DAUGHTER

A CONCERNED

CITIZEN FOR

FREEDOM !

Right-hand side :

RICHARD NIXON

''WHITE'' HOUSE

PENNSYLVANIA AVE.

WASHINGTON , D.C.

[...daughter,presumed to be 'Tricia Nixon...]

-----------------------

Rubislaw 32 link

3/28/2019 05:27:14 am

Naturally,the apparent variety,in the Zodiac's handwriting,tends to stump us,time and again,Richard.

But,for those who might take an interest....

What is the first thing,that strikes one as different,in a ''proffered'' Zodiac's handwriting,with the 2001 New Years Card ?

I would suggest,the '' T's '' and '' t's '' that stand on their ends,and ''don't'' resemble ''telegraph poles''.

Well...in looking at the ''Richard Nixon'' postcard,we finally see an example of this use of '' Non-telegraph poles '',for '' T's ''.

sandy link

6/18/2019 11:48:25 am

I can't be positive but the numbers for the "series of the Sandy Beaches- California cards should all be the same I believe, because it is a series. The idea that Lyndon who saw the original card and said the picture showed driftwood on the beach and that it said "Ocean Beach". Then we have the stamp with her death date of Feb 5th. It seems that it all comes together? I don't want to take away from what Rubishaw found, that was a remarkable find that will lead us to the one that shows thee "Ocean Beach". The series should all show California- Sandy Beaches, because that is what the series are about. I have noticed on some of the other cards by that company, they show the words Florida on the front and then on the back the description of what it is, pretty much like how the Calif. beach cards are. I have ordered a few of the cards just to have for my Zodiac collection.

Richard

6/18/2019 03:00:07 pm

Rubislaw found this John Hinde ''California Beach Party'' 1988, from the same year (possibly series). Its code was 2CG 78-B. The Carmel Beach postcard was 2CG 66-B. Make of it what you will. Here is the ''California Beach Party' postcard from San Diego.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/California-Beach-Party-San-Diego-USA-Postcard-1988/202643829984?hash=item2f2e8374e0:g:t50AAOSw9eVXU0jY

Sandy link

6/18/2019 05:00:55 pm

It looks like most of the cards done around that time in Calif. ,are close to the original number. There is one from 1987 of people at a Ca. beach playing tug a war, that number is 2CG 124B. Being that the Carmel card and the one sent by who I believe was Zodiac, tells me all of them will say Sandy Beaches-California on the back will have the same number for that series. I am pretty sure all of them in the series with show Sandy beaches- California, but each should show the name of the beach I would think? The C in the number I think is for Ca. and the B at the end might mean beach? I read that the numbers have something to do with the location. Your link above isn't working for me , but I know what card you are talking about, because I have been looking at all of them on every site for a week now. I made contact with one company , they don't have that series. So I have asked if they have one from the series that shows "Ocean Beach"? Waiting for replies from a few sites. I also have asked if all the numbers will be the same if in a series? I think having two cards in that series with the same number answers that question.

sandy betts link

7/7/2019 12:59:57 am

Unfortunately the copy that Lyndon gave me is not very clear either, but it is much larger. The words at the bottom that I think I can make out are White sand, warm water, blue pacific ocean. The pictures on the front of this series should be only beaches with white sand on the coast of Calif. There are not any beaches with white sand in northern Calif. They start at Monterey County south ending in San Diego Ca. Ocean beach in San Francisco is not white sand. The Hinde logo on these cards with the red arrow , is pointing to the southern end of the Calif. coast ,where the white sand is.I still believe that the Marianne Moore stamp was chosen by Zodiac, to give a clue to the Swindle murders. The words written by Lyndon Lafferty were not driftwood on a ocean beach, he wrote "Driftwood on Ocean Beach ". John Hinde was a well known photographer , but he was not the photographer who took the pictures for the Sandy Beach series.
Terry Poyser has not retired yet, he is on leave for a serious operation he had. He will be back and then will probably retire. I would think he wants to be there when the results come back on the DNA and the case is solved. I do believe that Richard is correct for the address being Oakland Ca. But I think that the name given is Robt. Hernandez. , he also lived in Oakland. (Think about the RH on the desk at Riverside) Remember the phone call from Zodiac late at night calling Oakland PD and asking for F Lee Bailey or Mel Belli to be on the Jim Dunbar show Oct 22 1969? Zodiac had a connection to Oakland, no doubt about that.

sandy betts link

7/7/2019 01:09:32 am

Correction, the words at the bottom of the card are "White sand, warm sun, blue pacific come together.

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THE CELEBRITY CYPHER

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