ok! that was a definite funny

Wow, nice work.  You got that hawk down, alright.
How about James Fenimore Cooper?
http://www.americanwriters.org/writers/cooper.asp
He lived his life in New Jersey and New York, though.  However, for those who think this is the Boston pic, he did write a book called “The Leaguer of Boston.”
http://www.oldandsold.com/articles25/cooper-5.shtml
Perhaps one of the verses even contains a snippet from the novel, just like we got from “Pierre” by Herman Melville.  I haven’t checked yet.

I’m a pretty avid birdwatcher and I don’t think this is a Coopers Hawk. An adult Cooper’s Hawk will have noticeable rust and white striping across its breast, as the picture shows. Several other hawks have this as well. In my opinion, if I were the artist and I really wanted to tie the bird to the word “Cooper,” I’d have to add this striping. Otherwise, it’s just a hawk or falcon with minimal identifying field marks.
As for whether it’s a falcon or hawk, that’s hard to say. They’re similarly shaped, but falcons are generally smaller. I can’t tell from the picture which category (large or small) this bird would fall into, but if I had to guess one or the other, I’d say hawk.
Beyond that, I don’t see anything in the pic to lock down a particular species.
Matt

maltedfalcon

I was pretty much under the impression defintley in boston
But so far the best translation I have ever seen is @ the mothers rest park

Woot!
Welcome, mysteriousness! So, where’s your spot? I don’t think you’ll find a person here that doesn’t believe we’re really close.
I’ve always been perplexed by the globes. Because there are 5 of them organized in a zig-zag pattern, there are MANY places to stand from which they align. There are so many in fact, I’d venture to say that while you may see the globes properly aligned at the dig spot, you wouldn’t be able to find the dig spot by aligning the globes alone.
I like your bus route interpretation… After several years, what made it dawn on you?
I’ve done a bit of “work” on the Ipswich St. intersection there at Charlesgate. When doing so, I always interpreted the train to be “with metal walls,” and interpreted separately from “near those who pass the coliseum.” After all, you are already near those who pass the coliseum, why would BP waste the next line expounding? I was unable to reconcile “your back to the stairs” at any point on the tracks nearby. I gave up.
Have you looked around under the middle of the overpass between the two support walls? I know there used to be some lamps that hung underneath the road (until some construction), and I’d wondered if they were still there?

Durian

I’m not particularly fluent in this puzzle. But for what it’s worth—and after studying the SF image in detail for months—I’m convinced that JJP employed a great deal of caricature in creating the images—and not just of the “people” who are the subjects of each image. I believe real-life objects are often depicted in caricature as well (or in just a piece or pieces of their whole), and very rarely are you going to find a clue as obvious as Chicago’s pixie or tower…
I think this explains why so few exact image matches across the twelve images have been found over the years.
So my feeling is that if something in the image gives you the impression of something from the real world, it is definitely worth exploring. I believe this may well have been JJP’s intent: to give the “feel” or impression of a clue without totally giving away the game visually. Presenting items in caricature, shadowy slivers, or in pieces of the whole are all viable methods for accomplishing this.
So yes, I’d say subtle similarities between objects in the image and objects in real life are definitely worth exploring as matches. Put enough of these subtle similarities together in a small geographic area that relates to the verses, and you may well be on the right track to finding the casque…
Just my two cents.

I can see some of that. In some cases, the caricatures are overt (Chicago, Montreal), but others are subtle. I’m not sure if it’s to the level you are attributing, but I see your point. I do agree on the point that if your gut or spidey-senses are tingling, then it deserves more inspection.

Durian – sounds good. Hop over there if you want.

gManTexas

Image 5, and 4 for that matter, were not “solved”. The casques were found. Neither of the sets of guys actually figured out the entire puzzle. And, for what it is worth, those puzzles were two of the easiest ones. In the case of Chicago, had they said, “that guy looks a bit like Grant or Lincoln”, it might have gotten them there sooner.

Ok, I generally disagree with most of the above statement. But, I’ll play along.
If the Columbus statue truly is the inspiration for Dolly, Pandora, Erin, etc., how does it help solve the puzzle for Boston?Almost everyone who thinks that the statue matches wants to start their search from the BPL. Why not start at the statue? Very few, if any, “solves” include visiting the statue at all. Many people believe the Kelleher Rose garden is also a match for the image. Almost no one starts or finishes there either.
Why do the people who believe in this statue so much tend not to use it in their solutions? If it truly is a match, why is it so unimportant?
To me, it doesn’t look anything like the image. That’s my opinion and I respect the others who disagree. I’m always looking for reasons to put the casque in the North End of Boston, but this statue just doesn’t help with a good unbiased solution in that area.

BINGO

Ok, I generally disagree with most of the above statement. But, I’ll play along.
If the Columbus statue truly is the inspiration for Dolly, Pandora, Erin, etc., how does it help solve the puzzle for Boston?Almost everyone who thinks that the statue matches wants to start their search from the BPL. Why not start at the statue? Very few, if any, “solves” include visiting the statue at all. Many people believe the Kelleher Rose garden is also a match for the image. Almost no one starts or finishes there either.
Why do the people who believe in this statue so much tend not to use it in their solutions? If it truly is a match, why is it so unimportant?
To me, it doesn’t look anything like the image. That’s my opinion and I respect the others who disagree. I’m always looking for reasons to put the casque in the North End of Boston, but this statue just doesn’t help with a good unbiased solution in that area.

Just my opinion, there needed to be an Italian connection. Personally, when I think of Boston, I don’t immediately think Italian, but either way, BP painted himself into a corner with the narrative in the book.
If you live outside of Boston, what would be the most recognizable Italian connection? Probably Columbus.
None of this means that we have to start at the statue, or even really include it in the hunt.

How similar should the match be to an object or painting? As far as I can tell, none of the other people in the Images are an exact match to something.
We have people comparing the person in:
Image 1 to the sphinx statues in GGP.
Image 5 to Grant and or Lincoln.
Image 9 to John Macdonald.
Image 10 to the lions on the bridge in Lake Park.
Image 12 to the Statue of Liberty.
There seems to be subtle similarities in each case. How much of a match is necessary to say yes, that’s it!

gManTexas

How similar should the match be to an object or painting? As far as I can tell, none of the other people in the Images are an exact match to something.
We have people comparing the person in:
Image 1 to the sphinx statues in GGP.
Image 5 to Grant and or Lincoln.
Image 9 to John Macdonald.
Image 10 to the lions on the bridge in Lake Park.
Image 12 to the Statue of Liberty.
There seems to be subtle similarities in each case. How much of a match is necessary to say yes, that’s it!

My point exactly. Image 5 was solved. How much did the similarity or lack therof to Grant (or Lincoln?) help that puzzle? How many of the others have helped their respective puzzle solutions? I’m pretty sure the answer is the same.
I hear plenty of people complain about the Statue of Liberty not being a good match. I challenge you to try my method with it. Show a bunch of people ( who know nothing of the secret) that image and have them tell you what it looks like. I would be willing to bet that the results are the exact opposite of what I have found with the Columbus Statue. Near 100% will tell you it is lady liberty.
People love to pick out the differences with the legeater. This is preposterous.
My point to all of this is simple. If you want a good idea if an image match is for real, ask people who have no skin in the game. They haven’t been influenced by the wiki or someone telling them what it should be. They also don’t have solves that they are ruthlessly trying to protect the integrity of.

gManTexas

Just my opinion, there needed to be an Italian connection. Personally, when I think of Boston, I don’t immediately think Italian, but either way, BP painted himself into a corner with the narrative in the book.
If you live outside of Boston, what would be the most recognizable Italian connection? Probably Columbus.
None of this means that we have to start at the statue, or even really include it in the hunt.

If I lived outside of Boston I would never link Columbus to Boston or to Italian. We aren’t really taught in school that Columbus came to Boston specifically, so for many, there would be no connection. Most wouldn’t even think there would be a statue of him here, until they stumble upon it.
The most Italian connection to Boston is the North End

dosethree

For me (I have visited this in person) The nose look very close and confirms it for me. The mouth is also close, especially the corners. And they both feature similar prominent cheek bones. The eyes and the eyebrows look reasonably close as well.

One other item I failed to mention before. The face and its features are actually difficult to see in person. The head is pretty high in the air and at an awkward angle when viewing it from the ground. I am 6’1” and the full features are hard for me to see from the ground.
I have actually climbed up on the base to get a better look. I also find the best view of the face comes from taking a picture while holding my phone above my head. To me, the view from any of those angles just doesn’t look similar. Just my $0.02.
There is no bigger fan of the North End than me. I actually want to see the similarity.

BINGO

My point exactly. Image 5 was solved. How much did the similarity or lack therof to Grant (or Lincoln?) help that puzzle? How many of the others have helped their respective puzzle solutions? I’m pretty sure the answer is the same.
I hear plenty of people complain about the Statue of Liberty not being a good match. I challenge you to try my method with it. Show a bunch of people ( who know nothing of the secret) that image and have them tell you what it looks like. I would be willing to bet that the results are the exact opposite of what I have found with the Columbus Statue. Near 100% will tell you it is lady liberty.
People love to pick out the differences with the legeater. This is preposterous.
My point to all of this is simple. If you want a good idea if an image match is for real, ask people who have no skin in the game. They haven’t been influenced by the wiki or someone telling them what it should be. They also don’t have solves that they are ruthlessly trying to protect the integrity of.

I agree with most of your points, but let’s show any of the other images besides NY to someone with no skin in the game and they wouldn’t be able to place them. The area that it corresponds to is relevant, but I don’t believe there are any exact matches. Some of the “people” in the images actually appear to be an amalgamation of several references. Notice that I am only focused on the Images with main character people in them, not the legeater, or the bowman, etc. The primary figures in the images are more subtle.
Image 5, and 4 for that matter, were not “solved”. The casques were found. Neither of the sets of guys actually figured out the entire puzzle. And, for what it is worth, those puzzles were two of the easiest ones. In the case of Chicago, had they said, “that guy looks a bit like Grant or Lincoln”, it might have gotten them there sooner.

gManTexas

If you live outside of Boston, what would be the most recognizable Italian connection? Probably Columbus.

I would say the North End in general. More specifically North Square. People who ain’t from heyah call it “Little Italy”.
Far more popular and well known than the Columbus Statue. There is even a Wikipedia page for it.

BINGO

Or Prince Spaghetti

strike13

Or Prince Spaghetti

Only on Wednesdays.
Bingo – I’m not saying that the casque couldn’t be in the North End. It is more difficult to look at the woman in the Image and say, “that looks like Little Italy” though.

gManTexas

Only on Wednesdays.
Bingo – I’m not saying that the casque couldn’t be in the North End. It is more difficult to look at the woman in the Image and say, “that looks like Little Italy” though.

I completely understand that. Personally, I have the same difficulty saying that it looks like the Columbus Statue.
It’s simply a matter of personal opinion. Nothing more.

It’s probably nothing but since the North End was brought up again I figured I’d share it. It’s the sign from a restaurant that got converted to condos a while back. The signs still there but it’s missing a lot of the letters. It looks somewhat similar to the pattern on the front of her dress. Hopefully someone hasn’t already mentioned this but I couldn’t find it through the search function.

mysteriousnesss

It’s probably nothing but since the North End was brought up again I figured I’d share it. It’s the sign from a restaurant that got converted to condos a while back. The signs still there but it’s missing a lot of the letters. It looks somewhat similar to the pattern on the front of her dress. Hopefully someone hasn’t already mentioned this but I couldn’t find it through the search function.

Love the E on the sign. I’m not sure how I’ve missed that all this time. Oh well, one more field trip to go on.
Thanks for sharing the pic.

BINGO

Love the E on the sign. I’m not sure how I’ve missed that all this time. Oh well, one more field trip to go on.
Thanks for sharing the pic.

And riiiiiight across the street is this……also grass patch there
https://imgur.com/a/Y01lCxw

strike13

Chicago didn’t. It wasn’t exactly at the fence post but further away by some arbitrary landmark like a tree that has now been razed.
In fact, it was so inexact that the solvers dug for a year before finding it

gManTexas

I looked.
Anyway, I want to believe that Dolly looks pregnant in the Image. That would seal the deal for me.

Hahaha Dolly… that’s right, you said that a while back. Another part of the n end rabbit hole was this…me thinking the bird’s raised foot matched Paul’s horse.
https://imgur.com/a/jc2O1

BINGO

So, if anyone has an idea or area that they would like investigated, I’m at your disposal. I have digging tools stashed all around the city and good relationships already built with the Police department and the DCR (parks dept). I will dig holes, probe or just take pictures if you like.
I challenge you all to change my mind about this IMAGE.

It’s a great offer Bingo, thanks.
I think it’s possible that the images contain clues in small details which might not have been seen yet, especially when you consider the size of the originals.
For instance I was just looking at the fairy’s wing in the book, where I’d always thought there was a pattern of four dots, but I’m now wondering if it’s an “X”.
I’ll see if I can get another scan of the page in case it offers any different perspectives.

Speaking of connecting dots.
Something that has made me wonder about a possible X and T connection in the image is the two rectangles on each side of the woman. Both rectangles have 9 boxes inside of them that look similar to a Rubik’s cube. The left side has dots in the boxes that if connected create a lower case t. The right side has dots in the boxes that when connected form an x.
Nothing earth shattering, just similar to what WR had just mentioned.

I can totally see that in the foot. That bird is going to drive me crazy. It has to be somewhere. I know there’s a similar statue in the courtyard of the Isabella Gardner Museum but it’s not exact and the other clues all seemed to be outside (on a building, on a statue, etc) – not in a museum.
I still really want to check out Mother’s Rest and the North Square Park. Wish there were images from the 80s of those areas.
In the meantime, I’ll book a ticket to Dollywood.

BINGO

Speaking of connecting dots.
Something that has made me wonder about a possible X and T connection in the image is the two rectangles on each side of the woman. Both rectangles have 9 boxes inside of them that look similar to a Rubik’s cube. The left side has dots in the boxes that if connected create a lower case t. The right side has dots in the boxes that when connected form an x.
Nothing earth shattering, just similar to what WR had just mentioned.

If Thucydides is
North of Xenophon

I finally finished reading all 130+ pages of this thread.
I hate to admit it, but I think I fall into the same category as all of the other hunters that are local to Boston. Other than the long/lat numbers and the general shape of the Rose Garden that point to Boston in this image, I can’t get on board with any of the findings throughout this thread. Nothing is a solid lock in my opinion. Nothing comes close to the quality of the known “visual confirmers” that are present in the other images. Anyone who thinks otherwise is trying too hard to make a similarity into actual hard visual evidence.
One might think that I am a newbie and that I don’t understand or respect the work that has been put into this puzzle. This is far from the truth. I am a land surveyor and in 2013, I was contracted to do a complete topographic survey of the Charlesgate area including the roadways, walkways, buildings, muddy river and the famous 2C structure. NO ONE has a fraction of time that I have invested into the 2C area. It was then, while conducting the survey, that a Longwood police officer told me about the “treasure hunt”. It’s been a fascination of mine since that day.
That being said, I have no plans on giving up the hunt in Boston. I believe a casque is here and I want to do what I can to help find it. I work in and around the city every day. For almost 5 years, I have looked at every metal railing, set of steps, read every plaque and analyzed every statue that I walk by. I’ve found that I do this wherever I go, not just in Boston. I can’t help it and I can’t stop myself.
So, if anyone has an idea or area that they would like investigated, I’m at your disposal. I have digging tools stashed all around the city and good relationships already built with the Police department and the DCR (parks dept). I will dig holes, probe or just take pictures if you like.
I challenge you all to change my mind about this IMAGE.

BINGO

I finally finished reading all 130+ pages of this thread.
I hate to admit it, but I think I fall into the same category as all of the other hunters that are local to Boston. Other than the long/lat numbers and the general shape of the Rose Garden that point to Boston in this image, I can’t get on board with any of the findings throughout this thread. Nothing is a solid lock in my opinion. Nothing comes close to the quality of the known “visual confirmers” that are present in the other images. Anyone who thinks otherwise is trying too hard to make a similarity into actual hard visual evidence.
One might think that I am a newbie and that I don’t understand or respect the work that has been put into this puzzle. This is far from the truth. I am a land surveyor and in 2013, I was contracted to do a complete topographic survey of the Charlesgate area including the roadways, walkways, buildings, muddy river and the famous 2C structure. NO ONE has a fraction of time that I have invested into the 2C area. It was then, while conducting the survey, that a Longwood police officer told me about the “treasure hunt”. It’s been a fascination of mine since that day.
That being said, I have no plans on giving up the hunt in Boston. I believe a casque is here and I want to do what I can to help find it. I work in and around the city every day. For almost 5 years, I have looked at every metal railing, set of steps, read every plaque and analyzed every statue that I walk by. I’ve found that I do this wherever I go, not just in Boston. I can’t help it and I can’t stop myself.
So, if anyone has an idea or area that they would like investigated, I’m at your disposal. I have digging tools stashed all around the city and good relationships already built with the Police department and the DCR (parks dept). I will dig holes, probe or just take pictures if you like.
I challenge you all to change my mind about this IMAGE.

Thanks for your efforts! Keep up the good hunt.

WhiteRabbit

It’s a great offer Bingo, thanks.
I think it’s possible that the images contain clues in small details which might not have been seen yet, especially when you consider the size of the originals.
For instance I was just looking at the fairy’s wing in the book, where I’d always thought there was a pattern of four dots, but I’m now wondering if it’s an “X”.
https://i.imgur.com/Nhpu8wp.jpg[/
I’ll see if I can get another scan of the page in case it offers any different perspectives.

i often have wondered the same thing…as the more i look, the more i see fine fine details. i am wondering though, since the book itself was so small, and the photos of the images were in black and white, what would be the purpose to hide all the clues in the original when the book doesn’t even show a fraction of the detail the originals do, nevermind just these colored copies we see online. i love all the details in the paintings of the originals, but i wonder if we are really just meant to be able to use the smaller, black and whites in the book? just one of many random thoughts in my head

WhiteRabbit

I think it’s possible that the images contain clues in small details which might not have been seen yet, especially when you consider the size of the originals…

I remember hearing once… on q4t I think, that the dots in NY were meant to be something very specific but JJP said it was almost impossible to make out because the images was sized so small, and the printed colors were slightly different than the painting colors.

Just a reminder of how Boston’s Charlesgate area changed between 2007 and 2009. Also I highlighted the Red triangled Citgo sign. I think that landmark is represented by the triangle in the elbow of the woman’s sleeve. Notice the slight location difference between the old green light tower and the new tower.

strike13

…the photos of the images were in black and white…the book doesn’t even show a fraction of the detail the originals do…i wonder if we are really just meant to be able to use the smaller, black and whites in the book

…not sure what you mean…? The book is in colour, and the images online are scans of the book.

Unknown

Unknown:
…not sure what you mean…?

Neither do I since it is clear from earlier posts that strike13 knows the Images are in color (“Also the claw and the
brightly colored circle
at the top of the bird’s stand are the passthrus under the bridge.”). Maybe s/he is talking about all the other drawings and sketches in the book, which are in black and white?

erexere

Just a reminder of how Boston’s Charlesgate area changed between 2007 and 2009. Also I highlighted the Red triangled Citgo sign. I think that landmark is represented by the triangle in the elbow of the woman’s sleeve. Notice the slight location difference between the old green light tower and the new tower.

The location of the old light pole is easily found at the site. It appears that they removed the old light and base and then put a junction box where the base used to be. This allowed them to use the original wiring in conjunction with the new fancier green light. That junction box is located in the brick section of the walkway before it turns to concrete.

WhiteRabbit

…not sure what you mean…? The book is in colour, and the images online are scans of the book.

I have read many times on here that the images are in black and white in the book. My mistake if I am mistaken..haha

BINGO

The location of the old light pole is easily found at the site. It appears that they removed the old light and base and then put a junction box where the base used to be. This allowed them to use the original wiring in conjunction with the new fancier green light. That junction box is located in the brick section of the walkway before it turns to concrete.

I think, that if it is
anywhere
near the CG, then it is over by where the utility box was, even on the right side of the fence, and not on the side you shouldn’t be on. the fence support posts may for that t object the bird is sitting on

strike13

I think, that if it is
anywhere
near the CG, then it is over by where the utility box was, even on the right side of the fence, and not on the side you shouldn’t be on. the fence support posts may for that t object the bird is sitting on

That was an area of my attention for quite some time. If it is there, I will be surprised. I have dug multiple holes in that section on multiple occasions. I also made Swiss cheese out of the area with a utility probe. I found nothing of importance. I still peek over there whenever I’m in the area just to look at things with fresh eyes.
It does appear that someone has had the same theory in the last month or so. The hole in the center of the C’s has been dug out again and it looks like 3-4 holes have been dug by the northern (removed) utility box and light pole as well. Judging from the location of those holes, I’m pretty positive they didn’t find anything…

Egbert

There are things in the Image which are not within sight of the treasure, the most notable being the Italian fountain with the lion face and large shell

It might be worth remembering that some of the references in the Litany are relevant to the locations. Eg:
Fairies of England proudly bear
Garnet, crown-jewel of their Queen
Location near Roanoke’s Elizabethan Garden.
The Nymphs of Hellas cherish sweet
Aquamarine, spring-water clear
Peridot of old Italy:
Antique, and olivine, and rich
No known relevance to Boston, but “Antique” has always struck me as a curious word to use.

Bingo –
I have to say I agree with you – I’m not completely sold on Boston by just the image alone. I lived in Boston for 5 years (in Kenmore Square) and nothing from the image looks familiar. Each of the other paintings that has been solved (Chicago, Cleveland) or are close to being solved (St Augustine) has very clearly seen landmarks or icons – the water tower, the shape of Florida, the Cleveland Tower, etc. Where in this painting is there anything that leads us to Boston?
The one thing that sticks out from the podcasts was that when you see the clue, it is almost an exact match – there is no question. And you also didn’t need to read too much into the poems – once you’re at the right spot, it all just makes sense.
Maybe Preiss wanted to use the poem to get us to Boston? There’s more evidence there: 1) Paul Revere’s ride but even that is obscure . 2) If X is north of T – but you’d have to know the Walpole letters to figure that out and this was all before the internet. Did he expect the readers to know this? Did he want us to do this much research, go to libraries, etc? Again, no internet so how did he want us to solve them?
Ugh – sorry – just so frustrated! If only there was one really clear symbol or icon in the painting that screamed Boston! I’ve even researched Plymouth, Provincetown, Manchester NH and Keene NH looking for landmarks, shapes, icons, etc. It’s all been fun but maddening! (I researched Plymouth because he mentions it in the book like he did with the Fountain of Youth which I thought was interesting.)
Oh and you can buy the book on Amazon now!

I don’t think it’s at next to the light and boxes. I am tempted to make a claim that this is solved just to keep the trolls happy. Standby. I’ll PM Bingo.

Haarstick

Bingo –
I have to say I agree with you – I’m not completely sold on Boston by just the image alone. I lived in Boston for 5 years (in Kenmore Square) and nothing from the image looks familiar. Each of the other paintings that has been solved (Chicago, Cleveland) or are close to being solved (St Augustine) has very clearly seen landmarks or icons – the water tower, the shape of Florida, the Cleveland Tower, etc. Where in this painting is there anything that leads us to Boston?
The one thing that sticks out from the podcasts was that when you see the clue, it is almost an exact match – there is no question. And you also didn’t need to read too much into the poems – once you’re at the right spot, it all just makes sense.
Maybe Preiss wanted to use the poem to get us to Boston? There’s more evidence there: 1) Paul Revere’s ride but even that is obscure . 2) If X is north of T – but you’d have to know the Walpole letters to figure that out and this was all before the internet. Did he expect the readers to know this? Did he want us to do this much research, go to libraries, etc? Again, no internet so how did he want us to solve them?
Ugh – sorry – just so frustrated! If only there was one really clear symbol or icon in the painting that screamed Boston! I’ve even researched Plymouth, Provincetown, Manchester NH and Keene NH looking for landmarks, shapes, icons, etc. It’s all been fun but maddening! (I researched Plymouth because he mentions it in the book like he did with the Fountain of Youth which I thought was interesting.)
Oh and you can buy the book on Amazon now!

Same here. I’ve lived in the city for 20 yrs…in the north end. I’ve been looking at this for a while now. I also so badly wanted it to be in the north end, with the italian immigrant connection…as well as what looks like the wharfs in her hair. Why don’t we say “wharves” haha. Anyway, i also do not see anything that screams boston.
..but there must be something we are missing

erexere

I don’t think it’s at next to the light and boxes. I am tempted to make a claim that this is solved just to keep the trolls happy. Standby. I’ll PM Bingo.

The suspense!

I was convinced it was in the little park across from Paul revere’s house in the North End for a while – start at the library, walk up through Boston Common (kind of the shape of her skirt front) and head towards his house following the Freedom Trail? The North star in the painting, all the letters here to see (the plaque in the sidewalk with the alphabet), near those who pass the coliseum (the park right across from Paul Revere’s house is right over Sumner Tunnel that goes to TD Garden – right?), a green tower of lights (right behind the park), the street is called Moon Street (there’s a moon in the painting), scroll work in one of the buildings is similar to her dress, it’s right on the Freedom Trail, etc. I even thought maybe the church across from his house had something to do with it. Did you see these clues as well or am I crazy?

Haarstick

I was convinced it was in the little park across from Paul revere’s house in the North End for a while – start at the library, walk up through Boston Common (kind of the shape of her skirt front) and head towards his house following the Freedom Trail? The North star in the painting, all the letters here to see (the plaque in the sidewalk with the alphabet), near those who pass the coliseum (the park right across from Paul Revere’s house is right over Sumner Tunnel that goes to TD Garden – right?), a green tower of lights (right behind the park), the street is called Moon Street (there’s a moon in the painting), scroll work in one of the buildings is similar to her dress, it’s right on the Freedom Trail, etc. I even thought maybe the church across from his house had something to do with it. Did you see these clues as well or am I crazy?

I definitely see what you are saying. I never thought of Moon St. for moon though, I like it. I noticed the scrollwork in the building in North Sq…but then again I notice that same scrollwork in a lot of buildings around the city. I am in North Sq every day with my dog…and have been constantly looking for things that could fit with this area. Where is the plaque in the sidewalk w the alphabet and why have I missed it haha! Yeah North sq is pretty much right over the tunnel too. When you say park , do you mean north sq? the cobblestone park w the circular flowerbed in the middle? You’re not crazy, I see these things too

I’ll share a rabbit hole that had me trapped for a while. In 2014, the company that I work for started a multi year excavation project at Umass Boston, it is still ongoing and I am there multiple times a week. The site is on a peninsula that is next to Dorchester Bay and Savin Hill Cove. It is a relatively small property (less that a mile long) and surrounded by water.
Here are the parts related to the hunt.
The main access road is named after Dominic Bianculli who died in 1980. Possible Italian connection.
The Boston Globe is directly across the street.
Would you believe that there is an impressive castle located just a few hundred yards away from the Boston Globe and in the center of the Umass campus?
https://flic.kr/p/GbS9Ko
The picture doesn’t do this building justice.
There are close to 100 light poles all over the campus that look like this.
https://flic.kr/p/21yHrSo
There are multiple sets of staircases that lead to the water. (Some even have 5 steps).
The Hancock tower and the Prudential building can be seen from almost anywhere on campus.
https://flic.kr/p/23eR695
The Massachusetts Archives building and the JFK Library (a newly opened landmark at the time) share a parking lot and are located on campus. (Plenty of letters to see here.)
Speaking of letters and parking lots, Umass is a commuter college so there are no dorms on campus. Tons of parking lots that are identified by letters. Lot A, Lot B, etc.
Being next to the ocean, the campus is pestered by birds of all kinds. Geese, nesting hawks, currently a pair of snow owls, and tons of seagulls. It gets so bad, the campus maintenance has to put out foam decoy foxes is order to keep the birds away from student common areas. (A connection to the damn bird?)
Logan Airport runways and castle island (bird claw in the image) are viewable across the bay.
It was an exciting run, but with all of that circumstantial evidence, not a single “visual confirmer” could be found. I wanted it badly, and convinced myself that things lined up. They just don’t.

BINGO

It was an exciting run, but with all of that circumstantial evidence, not a single “visual confirmer” could be found. I wanted it badly, and convinced myself that things lined up. They just don’t.

This is true of many of the Images IMHO. I think the two puzzles that have been solved probably have the strongest visual clues. This is possibly by design, so people would find the casques quickly to prove this was no hoax. I have been beating my head against the San Francisco puzzle and there’s not much in the Image to go off. Maybe generally, but someone please show me a Giant pole and Giant step!

I tried roaming Golden Gate Park, asking people to show me a giant pole. Now I have my own Secret

drunknerds

I tried roaming Golden Gate Park, asking people to show me a giant pole. Now I have my own Secret

gManTexas

Could it be these stairs, which I believe are still present?
http://olmsted.nonprofitsoapbox.com/sto … _image.jpg

gMan, I just ran into your post on a search today. I’ve been looking at Boston research for the last few days and can’t believe how much incredible research has been done all these years. I just wish I would have known about “The Secret” when I was in Boston for Christmas week.
I like the idea of down the stairs at Mother’s Rest by the Boylston St Bridge. Face the water with your back to the stairs sure sounds like you’d feel at home in Mother’s Rest. But I look at the numbers 18 and 12 like this. The 12 is representing North and depending just how close that bridge is (and I can’t tell from what I’ve seen) to the stairs, you take 18 paces to the North. That street light (lamp light) on the bridge will show you the area to target depending on the shadow. But what might make that more difficult is the maturity of the trees/bushes in that area today. Would be targeting over near that graffiti on the bridge in this photo:
https://www2.bing.com/images/search?vie … ajaxhist=0
What really caught my attention today was when looking down at the monument, you can clearly see how the shape of the pavers that create the overall monument area including the benches and curb are identical to Erin’s hair in Image 11.
The emerald being held by the fairy could indicate that the casque is located to the North of her hair, when read in conjunction with the Verse.
https://www2.bing.com/images/search?vie … ajaxhist=0
Have some of the Boston Searchers dug over by this area of the Boylston Bridge?

So here’s my bizarre brained logic – the clues aren’t meant to be ready line by line but are usually mixed up a bit with random clues thrown in some odd places so this is out of order:
– “Eighteenth day twelfth hour lit by lamplight” (meant to be a general clue to Paul Revere?)
– “If X is north of T” (start at Boston Public Library)
– “In the area of his direction” it seems from the other puzzles, Preiss wanted people to walk and explore (the Chicago clues took you straight down one road until you found more clues which were “M and B are etched in stone” – you were then supposed to wander in search of more clues) – walking towards Paul Revere’s house would take you through the Boston Common and onto the Freedom Trail (“in truth be free” hint?)
– “all the letters are here to see” – pass the Latin School at 45 School Street (oldest public school where Ben Franklin went) which has a plaque on the ground with the alphabet
http://bostonlitdistrict.org/venue/site … in-school/
. Here’s the map in Google maps (hope the link works):
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.357805, … 312!8i6656
– the Freedom Trail eventually takes you up to Paul Revere’s House
– “Near those who pass the coliseum with metal walls” – his house is right over the Sumner Tunnel that goes to TD Garden
– “Take five steps” – if you take five steps out of Paul Revere’s house (5 blocks in the crosswalk?), it take you to the North Square park (a stretch I know)
– “A green tower of lights” – the green building at the top of the park??
– “In the middle section” – the North Square Park??
– the street is called Moon Street (there’s a moon in the painting) – there used to be a bookstore there called Globe Corner Books (globe in the painting)
– “Face the water your back to the stairs” – was there a water fountain in the round flower bed in 1982? – back to the stairs of the brownstone next to the green tower?
– could “all the letters” be reference to the post box that is at the top of the park?
– does the Sacred Heart Italian Church have anything to do with it?
– “in truth be free” – confession? (a massive stretch)
This is all based on the idea that Preiss wanted us to walk around the major sites of Boston – Copley Square up through the Commons and along the Freedom Trail.
But how is the painting tied to Boston at all???

MrBackstop

gMan, I just ran into your post on a search today. I’ve been looking at Boston research for the last few days and can’t believe how much incredible research has been done all these years. I just wish I would have known about “The Secret” when I was in Boston for Christmas week.
I like the idea of down the stairs at Mother’s Rest by the Boylston St Bridge. Face the water with your back to the stairs sure sounds like you’d feel at home in Mother’s Rest. But I look at the numbers 18 and 12 like this. The 12 is representing North and depending just how close that bridge is (and I can’t tell from what I’ve seen) to the stairs, you take 18 paces to the North. That street light (lamp light) on the bridge will show you the area to target depending on the shadow. But what might make that more difficult is the maturity of the trees/bushes in that area today. Would be targeting over near that graffiti on the bridge in this photo:
https://www2.bing.com/images/search?vie … ajaxhist=0
What really caught my attention today was when looking down at the monument, you can clearly see how the shape of the pavers that create the overall monument area including the benches and curb are identical to Erin’s hair in Image 11.
The emerald being held by the fairy could indicate that the casque is located to the North of her hair, when read in conjunction with the Verse.
https://www2.bing.com/images/search?vie … ajaxhist=0
Have some of the Boston Searchers dug over by this area of the Boylston Bridge?

I like where you are going with this, however we have to be careful with what we see today. I think the area around the O-Reilly statue has been renovated since 1982. Although, when I proposed my solve, I mentioned stand at the base of the stairs and 18 something, 12 something. It takes being there and looking around. The fact that there a resemblance between the arch of the bridge and the semi circle in Image 11 is enticing. I think when spring comes around, it will be easier for people like Bingo to scout and probe the area.

Haarstick

So here’s my bizarre brained logic – the clues aren’t meant to be ready line by line but are usually mixed up a bit with random clues thrown in some odd places so this is out of order:
– “Eighteenth day twelfth hour lit by lamplight” (meant to be a general clue to Paul Revere?)
– “If X is north of T” (start at Boston Public Library)
– “In the area of his direction” it seems from the other puzzles, Preiss wanted people to walk and explore (the Chicago clues took you straight down one road until you found more clues which were “M and B are etched in stone” – you were then supposed to wander in search of more clues) – walking towards Paul Revere’s house would take you through the Boston Common and onto the Freedom Trail (“in truth be free” hint?)
– “all the letters are here to see” – pass the Latin School at 45 School Street (oldest public school where Ben Franklin went) which has a plaque on the ground with the alphabet
http://bostonlitdistrict.org/venue/site … in-school/
. Here’s the map in Google maps (hope the link works):
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.357805, … 312!8i6656
– the Freedom Trail eventually takes you up to Paul Revere’s House
– “Near those who pass the coliseum with metal walls” – his house is right over the Sumner Tunnel that goes to TD Garden
– “Take five steps” – if you take five steps out of Paul Revere’s house (5 blocks in the crosswalk?), it take you to the North Square park (a stretch I know)
– “A green tower of lights” – the green building at the top of the park??
– “In the middle section” – the North Square Park??
– the street is called Moon Street (there’s a moon in the painting) – there used to be a bookstore there called Globe Corner Books (globe in the painting)
– “Face the water your back to the stairs” – was there a water fountain in the round flower bed in 1982? – back to the stairs of the brownstone next to the green tower?
– could “all the letters” be reference to the post box that is at the top of the park?
– does the Sacred Heart Italian Church have anything to do with it?
– “in truth be free” – confession? (a massive stretch)
This is all based on the idea that Preiss wanted us to walk around the major sites of Boston – Copley Square up through the Commons and along the Freedom Trail.
But how is the painting tied to Boston at all???

I like thinking outside the box, but there are actually quite a few visual clues in the image that have been discussed in both the wiki page and here. If you have not seen the wiki, it’s worth a visit.
http://thesecret.pbworks.com/w/page/86303044/Image%2011

I’ve read everything on Wiki and I like the visual clues but none of them say “this is 100% it” to me. The Chicago Water Tower was 100% – the Cleveland Tower was 100% – even the shape of the state of Florida for St. Augustine – but I just don’t have that a-ha moment with the Boston images. Yes she looks like Columbus but if the casque is in the Back Bay Fens, that statue is really far. And it’s not a recognizable feature of Boston.
I do like the idea of starting at the library, heading down Boylston to the O’Reilly statue and going behind it to Mother’s Rest but people have been looking for years and haven’t found that one telltale image that lines up. Someone just went to Mother’s Rest and posted some pictures but nothing concrete came of it unfortunately but I still like Back Bay Fens too.
The solved puzzles had that clear piece of evidence – I just wish we had it for Boston.

Haarstick

I’ve read everything on Wiki and I like the visual clues but none of them say “this is 100% it” to me. The Chicago Water Tower was 100% – the Cleveland Tower was 100% – even the shape of the state of Florida for St. Augustine – but I just don’t have that a-ha moment with the Boston images. Yes she looks like Columbus but if the casque is in the Back Bay Fens, that statue is really far. And it’s not a recognizable feature of Boston.
I do like the idea of starting at the library, heading down Boylston to the O’Reilly statue and going behind it to Mother’s Rest but people have been looking for years and haven’t found that one telltale image that lines up. Someone just went to Mother’s Rest and posted some pictures but nothing concrete came of it unfortunately but I still like Back Bay Fens too.
The solved puzzles had that clear piece of evidence – I just wish we had it for Boston.

The woman in Image 11 looks like Dolly Parton, not Columbus. But, I digress…

LOL! True. Maybe it’s at Dollywood.

Haarstick

LOL! True. Maybe it’s at Dollywood.

I looked.
Anyway, I want to believe that Dolly looks pregnant in the Image. That would seal the deal for me.

Haarstick

I’ve read everything on Wiki and I like the visual clues but none of them say “this is 100% it” to me. The Chicago Water Tower was 100% – the Cleveland Tower was 100% – even the shape of the state of Florida for St. Augustine – but I just don’t have that a-ha moment with the Boston images. Yes she looks like Columbus but if the casque is in the Back Bay Fens, that statue is really far. And it’s not a recognizable feature of Boston.
I do like the idea of starting at the library, heading down Boylston to the O’Reilly statue and going behind it to Mother’s Rest but people have been looking for years and haven’t found that one telltale image that lines up. Someone just went to Mother’s Rest and posted some pictures but nothing concrete came of it unfortunately but I still like Back Bay Fens too.
The solved puzzles had that clear piece of evidence – I just wish we had it for Boston.

In addition to the clear piece of evidence for the city, i the other two had a clear image depicted of EXACTLY where the casque was. Not saying same goes for all, but one might think so…

I’ve been “feeling at home” so much that I considered looking at this Dorothy and her silver shoes by W.W. Denslow, illustrator of the original Wizard of Oz book.  Is there “no place like home” going on here with the baseball associations I’ve been leaning towards lately?  I’m not so much seeing any silver slipper or “ruby slipper” action here but I do ask myself how I might use this image association as a clue and so far one idea is sticking with me: a cyclone.  The short black “cyclone” fence that surrounds my particular area of interest near the overpass.
Perhaps Preiss used the Oz theme elsewhere in this treasure hunt…

hi mysteriousnesss welcome,very nice to have an interested local,i hope we can help
you find the casque
have these stairs always been here,IE 80-81,and are they the stairs from the boylston
bridge and fenway intersection
https://foursquare.com/v/mothers-rest-p … cd45ebe364
and when you have the time,could you do a 360 view from standing in the center
of the playarea,would be cool if you could do it in video,and post to youtube,imgs
would be great too,one more thing,a run down on your interpretation from the V
line by line,i think your knowledge of area,will make for a flood of ideas from your
interpretation,and prob get a casque found
thank you
boylston bridge
http://goo.gl/maps/Nfn4z
flash earth MR
http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=42.34561 … 95&src=msl

Dorothy searched for the Emerald City in order to ask for help from the Wizard of Oz.
We search the Emerald Necklace in order to find a casque.

Out in the field today on the hunt. I came across this quote last night.
A quote by henry wadsworth longfellow…”resolve, and thou art free”