The Papers of Ole G. Landsverk

The Papers of Ole G. Landsverk, 1965-1976 | Luther College Archives

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Collection Overview

Title: The Papers of Ole G. Landsverk, 1965-1976

ID: LCA/RG15/Landsverk, O

Primary Creator: Landsverk, Ole G. (1901-)

Extent: 6.0 Linear Feet. More info below.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Documentation consists of research materials on Runic inscriptions from the British Isles, Noway, Sweden, and Denmark; correspondence regarding his research; photographs of runic inscriptions; originals of cyptograms in runic inscriptions; books on runic inscriptions; four books on Vikings in Great Britain and Ireland; newspaper clippings; articles; six booklets (guide to cryptographic solutions by Alf Monge, #1-6); photos and data of runic inscription.

Biographical Note

Landsverk graduated from Luther College in 1924. He received a Masters from the University of Minnesota in 1930. He received a PhD from the University of Chicago in 1940. He spent nineteen years in the field of education as principal of high schools, superintendent of schools, and professor of physics and mathematics. During World War II he served as research physicist for the United States government on the atom bomb project. In 1947, he organized Landsverk Corporation to develop and produce laboratory, hospital, and industrial instruments. He received the Distinguished Service Award from Luther College in 1968. His personal research focused on Norse runic inscriptions. His efforts in the research were largely directed towards proving the authenticity of the Kensington [Minnesota] Stone and proving the existence of Norse explorations into the North American interior from the 11th thru the 15th centuries. He passed away in 1984.

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Sønn av Tarkjel Landsverk. Ole G. Landsverk gikk ut fra Luther College i 1924. Han tok mastergraden ved University of Minnesota i 1930. I 1940 mottok han en PhD ved University of Chicago. Han jobbet i nitten år innenfor utdanning, som rektor ved high school og som professor i fysikk og matematikk. Under andre verdenskrig tjenestegjorde han som forsker i fysikk for den amerikanske regjering på atom bombe prosjektet. I 1947 organiserte han Landsverk Corporation for å utvikle og produsere laboratorier, sykehus og industrielle instrumenter. Han mottok Distinguished Service Award fra Luther College i 1968. Hans personlige forskning dreide seg også om norrøne runeinskripsjoner. Landsverk var overbevist om at Kensington-steinen var historisk korrekt og at den beviste det eksisterte norske ekspedisjoner i Nord-Amerika fra 1000- til 1400-tallet.

Administrative Information

Repository: Luther College Archives

Alternate Extent Statement: 8 boxes

Use Restrictions: Though we may hold the property rights, Luther College Archives does not hold the copyrights for all materials. Individuals may use materials for non-commercial, private use, but commercial users must secure permissions from the copyright holders and/or Luther College Archives to reproduce, publish, or quote protected materials and photographs. For more information about the Luther College copyright and fair use policy, please visit https://www.luther.edu/library/copyright

Preferred Citation: Cite unpublished materials: Ole G. Landsverk Papers, RG15 Manuscripts, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Finding Aid Revision History:

6/10/24: Abby Bates updated copyright policy link.

11/20/19: EC updated the preferred citation.

11/18/2019: AH updated the date

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Runes, Cryptology, Monge-Solutions, and Locations],
[Box 2: Runic Material, Photos, and Slides],
[Box 3: Writings and Correspondence],
[Box 4: Photos of Runes, Slides of Hidden Dates and Messages in Runic Inscriptions, and Landsverk's Six Volume Explanation of Cryptology],
[Box 5: Originals of Cryptograms in Runic Inscriptions],
[Box 6: Runic Inscriptions from the British Isles, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway by Dr. George Stephans],
[Box 7: Books],
[Box 8: Books],
[All]

Box 3: Writings and Correspondence

Series 8: Articles and Lectures by O. G. Landsverk, 1964-1984

Folder 1: Note by O. G. Landsverk, undated
Folder 2: Kensington Authorities, 20 February 1964
Folder 3: Review: Norse Medical Cryptography in American Inscriptions, 1967
Folder 4: Press Kit: Norse Medieval Cryptography, 1967
Folder 5: A Review of Norse Medieval Cryptography in Runic Carvings, 1968
Folder 6: On Magnus Olson and Cryptography, 1968
Folder 7: Debate in Verdensgang Liestøl-Landsverk, 1968
Folder 8: The Perpetual Calendar, 1968
Folder 9: To Morgenbladet, 1968
Folder 10: Foundation Announcement, 1968
Folder 11: Verdens Gang, 1968
Folder 12: Cryptography Procedures, 1968
Folder 13: To the Viking, 1969
Folder 14: Beyond Leif Erikson, 1969
Folder 15: Review-Blegen's Book, 1969
Folder 16: Revelation of Vinland Map, 1965
Folder 17: Reply to Hambro and Kahn, 1969
Folder 18: Topics in Runic Cryptography, 1969
Folder 19: Ancient Norse Messages-By O. G. Landsverk, 1969
Folder 20: Protests to Minnesota Historical Society, 1968
Folder 21: The Kensington Stone and The Mandan Indians, 1969
Folder 22: Leif Erikson Day in Sons of Norway Viking, 1969
Folder 23: Cryptograms Do Exist, 1969
Folder 24: Challenge to Skeptics, 1969
Folder 25: Norseman Article, 1969
Folder 26: Announcement-Ancient Norse Messages, 1969
Folder 27: Oklahoma Crypto-Puzzles, 1969
Folder 28: To Liestøl, February 1969
Folder 29: Press Kit for Ancient Norse Messages, 1969
Folder 30: Let the Whole Story Be Told, 1970
Folder 31: Did a Priest From Bergen Carve an Obscene Runic Message on Advent Sunday?, 1970
Folder 32: Research and Lectures- Scandinavia and England, 1970
Folder 33: A Runic Cipher From Bergen, 1970
Folder 34: Norsemen in Oklahoma, 1970
Folder 35: Nordisk T.d.- Article, 1970
Folder 36: In Sons of Norway "Viking", 1970
Folder 37: Open Letter- Liestøl, 1970
Folder 38: Report to Minnesota Historical Society, 1970
Folder 39: Mailing by Landsverk Foundation, 1971
Folder 40: Catholic Bulletin, 29 January 1971
Folder 41: Mailing from The Landsverk Foundation, 5 March 1971
Folder 42: Norse Archaeology in USA, 1971
Folder 43: Recent Advances, 20 July 1971
Folder 44: Brave People That the World Forgot, 10 September 1971
Folder 45: Eirik Ginupsson, Native Icelander, Dedicated Bishop and Premier Puzzlemaster, 16 September 1972
Folder 46: Bishop Eirik and His Vinland Map, 10 February 1972
Folder 47: Letter to Harold Brown from The Landsverk Foundation, 6 February 1972
Folder 48: My First Tiff with Einar Haugan, 1972-1973
Folder 49: Reply to Haugen-N.E.A.R.A., 10 January 1973
Folder 50: Reply to Haugen in Canadian Journal of Archaeology, 1973
Folder 51: To Oklahoma Historical Society, 2 April 1973
Folder 52: Oklahoma Inscriptions Are Authentic, 3 September 1973
Folder 53: Note on "Runic Records", 24 April 1974
Folder 54: The Origins of Cryptography in Runic Inscriptions, July 1974
Folder 55: Authentic Pre-Columbian Norse Artifacts in the United States, 1974
Folder 56: Article to Aftenposten, 1974
Folder 57: Ole Worm's Norwegian Calendar, October 1976
Folder 58: The Distorted Images of Critics of the Vinland Map, 1974
Folder 59: The Vinland Map is Authentic, 1974
Folder 60: Fallout From Debate with Haugen and Wallace, 1974
Folder 61: Letter to Prof. Einar Haugen, 24 November 1974
Folder 62: Vinland Map-Nordisk Tidende, 1974
Folder 63: Of Runes and Riddles Norseman, No. 4, 1974
Folder 64: A Review of Cryptography in Runic Inscriptions, 1974-1975
Folder 65: The Map From Italy in Very Persuasive, 1975
Folder 66: Norse Maps and Ciphers Agree Original Version, 20 July 1975
Folder 67: Open Letter to Einar Haugen with Responses from Recipients, 1975
Folder 68: Norsemen in America- Nordick Tidente, 1975
Folder 69: Reply to Prof. Marstrander, 1978
Folder 70: Norsemen in America after Leif Erikson, 1975
Folder 71: New Runestone in Vinland, 1976
Folder 72: A Historic Runic Carving (Skanela Ciphers), 1976
Folder 73: Norsemen in America-Sons of Norway "Viking", 1975-1976
Folder 74: How Liestøl Missed the Boat, 1976
Folder 75: The Kensington Inscription and its Hidden Meaning, 1976
Folder 76: Kensington Inscription- Cryptography (Letter to Russell Fridley, Director of MHs), 1976
Folder 77: Norre Herlev Inscription-Denmark, 1976-1979
Folder 78: On Fridley, Director of Minnesota Historical Society, 1977
Folder 79: Article in Minnesota History, 1977
Folder 80: Vikingship Dedication, 1977
Folder 81: The Case of the Gran Tapes- N.E.A.R.A., 1977
Folder 82: Monge's 67 Solutions, 1978
Folder 83: The Kensington Stone Replica- Nordisk Tidende, 1978
Folder 84: Cryptography Proves Norse Presence in U.S., 1978
Folder 85: The Waukegan Runic Cryptogram, 1978
Folder 86: Runic Inscription in the Western Hemisphere, 1978
Folder 87: Reply to Brain Branston-Lake Region Echo, 1975
Folder 88: AIf Monge Dead, 1978
Folder 89: Kensington Inscription- No One Knew, 1978
Folder 90: Cryptography from the Orkneys- Buchanan, 1978
Folder 91: The Unfairness of Russell Fridley, 1978
Folder 92: Minneapolis Tribune- Kensington Stone, 1978
Folder 93: Earliest Recorded American History- From America, 1979
Folder 94: When the Runologists Tried- Nordisk Tidende, 1979
Folder 95: Dr. Erik Wahlgren is Told Off, 1979
Folder 96: Sweden-Vanga, 1969, 1980
Folder 97: Letters to the Editor, Biblical Archaeological Review, 1980
Folder 98: Norse Coin- Maine, 1978-1979
Folder 99: Biblical Archaeologist, 1980
Folder 100: The Swedish Mora Stone, 1980
Folder 101: Discussion of the Kensington Runestone for Oslo Aftenposten, 1964
Folder 102: Testing of Artifacts, 1963
Folder 103: The Truth about Runic Cryptography, 1980
Folder 104: Berlingske Tidende, 1980
Folder 105: Helen Wallis, Curator British Museum Map Room, 1980
Folder 106: Biblical Archaeological, 1980
Folder 107: Another Discussion with Einar Haugen in Nordisk Tidende, 1980
Folder 108: Second Submission to Mr. Evans of Explorer Journal, 1980
Folder 109: Mrs. K. East, Res. Asst. British Museum, 1980
Folder 110: The Kensington Inscription is Authentic N.E.A.R.A. Journal, 1981
Folder 111: Tulsa Inscription, 1981
Folder 112: A Protest to American Heritage, 1981
Folder 113: Other Deserving Vikings Need Recognition, 1981
Folder 114: Runic Cryptography is Alive and Well Nordisk Tidende, 1981
Folder 115: Runic Cryptography is Alive and Well. Anthropological Journal of Canada, 1981
Folder 116: Brief on Wahlgren and McKusick, 1982
Folder 117: The Heavener, Oklahoma Runic Cryptogram: A Solution Anthropological Journal of Canada, 1981
Folder 118: To Jon Thallaug, Editor of Viking, 1982
Folder 119: "Interest in Vinland and Norsement Strong" Review of Book by Prof. Hall, 1982
Folder 120: Letter to Herr Wilhem Schroëder, 1983
Folder 121: Report to Annual Convention of N.A.H.A., 1984
Folder 122: Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin Tour, 1968
Folder 123: Lecture-Leif Erikson Day, 1968
Folder 124: Summary- 1970 Lectures, 10 September 1970
Folder 125: To Minnesota Historical Society, 1973
Folder 126: Alexandria Lecture- Clippings and Correspondence, 1973
Folder 127: Lecture- Ygdrasil Literary Society, 1974
Folder 128: Lecture- Sons of Norway- Winona, MN, 1974
Folder 129: Talk at Bangor, Maine, 1974
Folder 130: Talk to Womens Federation- Rushford, MN, 1975
Folder 131: Talk to Symra, 1975
Folder 132: Talk to Highland Prairie Lutheran Brotherland, 1975
Folder 133: On Critics and Supporters of Runic Cryptography, 1978
Folder 134: Lecture on Kensington Stone, 1977

Series 9: Correspondence, 1948-1982

Folder 135: Bjorndahl Correspondence, 1949, undated
Folder 136: References- Illustrations From Bjorndahl, undated
Folder 137: Bjorndahl, Magnus, 1962-1971
Folder 138: Henry G. Leach and Prof. Reichardt, 1947-1948
Folder 139: Lee, Dr. Thomas- Letters to O.G. Landsverk, 1968-1980
Folder 140: South America- Mahieu Correspondence, 1974-1982
Folder 141: South America- Mahieu Notes, 1968-1978
Folder 142: South America- Mahieu, Jacques, 1971-1982
Folder 143: Arledge Mound- Mallery, 1949-1971
Folder 144: Ohio Furnaces- Mallery, 1949-1952
Folder 145: Ohio's Iron Furnaces, 1968, 1971
Folder 146: Ohio "Norse" Sites, 1969-1970
Folder 147: Newfoundland Correspondence, 1969, 1971
Folder 148: Micrographs from Sopsarm, Newfoundland, 1969
Folder 149: Notes on Newfoundland Material- American Museum of Natural History- Dr. Bird, 1948

Series 10: Articles Written By Others

Folder 150: Leif Erikson Day- He Prompted It, 1964
Folder 151: Holand's Reply to Wahlgren's 1958 Book, 1959
Folder 152: Clippings- Runestone, 1962-1965
Folder 153: Newspaper Clippings on the Kensington Runestone, 1930-1969
Folder 154: Articles and Clippings Pertaining to the Runestone, 1945-1969
Folder 155: Review of Holand's Book in Pacific Coast Viking, 1963
Folder 156: Luther Man's Dream, 1964
Folder 157: Article in American Scandinavian Review on Vinland Map, 1965
Folder 158: Lief Erikson Movie, 1965-1967
Folder 159: The Medival Norse Cryptopuzzle- Monge, 1967
Folder 160: Liestøl- O.G.L. Debate in Verdens Gang, 1967-1968
Folder 161: On Vinland- Wahlgren, 1967
Folder 162: Misc. Reviews and Comments, 1967-1977
Folder 163: Associated Press on the Landsverk Foundation, 1968
Folder 164: Westphall- Berlingske Tidende, 1968
Folder 165: Scientist Researching Role of Norsemen in AMerican History- LA Times, 1968
Folder 166: Karlgren, Hans- Review and Reply, 1968-1969
Folder 167: Leif Erikson's Campsite in Vinland- Fredrick J. Pohl, 1968
Folder 168: Westphall- Morgenbladet, 1968
Folder 169: Review of Blegen's Book on Kensington Stone, 1968
Folder 170: By Prof. Rymer- Review of Norse Medieval Cryptography in Runic Carvings, 1968
Folder 171: Review- Norse Medieval Cryptography- Kahn, 1968
Folder 172: Clippings, 1968
Folder 173: Review- Norse Medieval Cryptography Ruth Filby, 1968-1969
Folder 174: Distinguished Service Award- Luther College, 1968
Folder 175: Luther Man's Dream Comes True, 1968
Folder 176: Lecture- San Francisco, 1969
Folder 177: Proclamations- Yorty, City Council, 1969
Folder 178: Additional Comments on Ancient Norse Messages on American Stones, 1969
Folder 179: Blegen's Book- Reviews by Haugen, Pohl, 1969
Folder 180: A Number of Newspaper Articles, 1969
Folder 181: Maleske, Lawrence, 1969
Folder 182: Review- Blegen's Book- Hambro, 1969
Folder 183: Maquoketa Community Press Interview with O.G.L., 1969
Folder 184: Oklahoma Runestones, 1969
Folder 185: Erik Friis on O.G.L.- Scandinavian of the Month, 1969
Folder 186: Kvaalen, Eivind, 1970-1971
Folder 187: Clippings- European Tour, 1970
Folder 188: Washington's Norweigan Ancestry, 1970
Folder 189: Dr. Ole G. Landsverk Visits Washington, D.C.- Norseman of the Year, 1970
Folder 190: Vikings in Oklahoma Exhibit, 1971
Folder 191: Alf Monge from Sunnmore, Expert in Cryptography and Secret Codes, 1971
Folder 192: Wallace Debate, 1966-1971
Folder 193: National Enquiror- David Klein, 1972
Folder 194: Kealey, Prof. Edward, 1972
Folder 195: Review- Pohl's Viking Settlements- Enterline, 1972
Folder 196: Clippings, 1971-1972
Folder 197: Review- Pohl's Norse Voyages to America By Haugen, 1973
Folder 198: Cultural Heritage Series, 1973
Folder 199: Article- Popular Archaeology, 1973
Folder 200: Carter, Prof. George Runic Inscriptions, 1971, 1974
Folder 201: Kensington Stone- Cyrus Gordon Halvorson, 1974
Folder 202: Review- Runic Records- Inter-American By Compton, 1974
Folder 203: Articles on Norsemen in America by Various Authors, 1974-1975
Folder 204: Langland, Harold on Ancient Norse Messages and Runic Records, 1974
Folder 205: The Kensington Skeptics Lost Their Way, 1976
Folder 206: An Ingenious Crypto-puzzle From Orkney- Buchanan, 1978
Folder 207: Gersfelt, Jørgen in Berlingske Tidende, 1979
Folder 208: Norse Artifacts in North America Katherine Bouton, 1980
Folder 209: Videnskabens Hovmod- Berlingske Tidende, 1980
Folder 210: The "Vinland" Penny- Skalk, Norwegian, 1982
Folder 211: Hall, Robert- Stop It! (Quareeling and Name Calling), 1983
Folder 212: The Lost Empire- From Treasure Magazine, 1983
Folder 213: Gersfelt, Jørgen- Kensington Inscription, 1984
Folder 214: Northwest Passage in Vinland, 1984
Folder 215: White America is Predominantly a Viking Culture, 1982
Folder 216: Runestone Found at Rice Lake, MN in 1905, 1984
Folder 217: Controversy Over Runestones Continues, 1982
Folder 218: What Does the Spirit Pond Mapstone Say?, 1982