Examples of various historical writing systems and scripts, including hieroglyphics on fragments of papyrus, reed sticks with proto-Arabian inscriptions, cuneiform tablets, a bowl inscribed in Etruscan, Aramaic incantation bowls, a bronze piece with a runic inscription, Arabic on cloth fragments, decorated 13th-century Bible leaves, and other writings through the 18th century.

Copies of an 1886 reproduction of the original Mappa Reinisch, which was written March 23, 1586. The reproduction was made by Dujardine under the auspices of Comte Henri de Charencey in an edition of 25 copies, in Paris. It shows a genealogical tree of a Mexican tribe with hieroglyphic characters and text in Aztec written in Roman letters. Includes note of provenance signed by Marshall Saville. Two of the pieces are labeled, "Fragment du verso" and "recto." Has Indian writing and symbols.