Archival note by Jonathan Smith © 2023 University of Bergen. CC BY-NC 4.0

MS 101 is a casebound volume, 245 x 200 mm in size. Wittgenstein has included dates between 9 August and 30 September 1914 in the text. The binding consists of black and cream marbled paper over card boards with a black cloth spine. Internally there are 70 leaves measuring 238 x 195 mm with flyleaves front and back. Each page is ruled with 23 lines and the volume has been foliated 1 to 70, probably by library staff. The text is in German with substantial coded remarks, written using pencil and indelible pencil with some editorial annotations in red pencil. For the first 16 folios, the verso is left blank, but from f. 17 onwards, there is some text on versos. From ff. 20v to 50v, this becomes substantial and is in coded form.

The binding is heavily worn and the corners bruised. There are signs of water damage on f. 30v and on the rear pastedown. The spine has at some time been replaced and there is some strengthening throughout the volume.

The volume appears to have a note on the front pastedown in Wittgenstein’s hand denoting it as ‘No 3’. It was seen by the executors at Gmunden in 1952 and remained in Wittgenstein’s family until May 1969 when it was presented to Trinity College Library, by Wittgenstein’s niece, Clara Sjogren. A note regarding her ownership was sellotaped to the front pastedown.