This cache is a Letterbox Hybrid geocache. It is one of a series highlighting interesting individuals from a variety of fields who once lived, or were connected with, what lies behind the featured letterboxes. Many thanks to tundra70 for allowing me to contribute to this series.
The final cache is not at the published co-ordinates but you will need to visit them to get some information that will help in taking you to the final location.
The published cache co-ordinates should bring you to the door of a small museum dedicated to the achievements of Jára Cimrman, a polymath known as one of the greatest Czech inventors, playwrights, travellers, philosophers, poets, teachers and philanthropists of the 19th and 20th centuries. When I visited it was closed but the museum’s website says that one should knock on the door and wait to be admitted.
Jára Cimrman was born in 1869, although some sources give different dates, the son of Leopold Cimrman, a Czech tailor working in Vienna, and Marlén Jelinková, an Austrian actress. He was born into a very poor family and, as a result, he was dressed in his older sister’s “hand-me-downs” and sent to a girls’ school in an effort to hide his true identity. At the age of 15 he discovered the truth which is thought to have created an identity crisis which triggered his genius.
In adulthood he was a great patron of music and the performing arts although not with great success. Whilst part of an orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture at the Dvořák Concert Hall, in Prague, Cimrman was part of the percussion section and, unfortunately, the canon, for which he was responsible, used at the finale were loaded with live ordnance instead of the blanks that should have been used. This resulted in some injuries to the audience and much damage to the concert hall.
Cimrman’s career in theatre was no more successful. He had developed a reputation which meant fellow actors were reluctant to perform with him. As a result, he had to make substantial changes to the plays he wanted to perform. For example, he re-wrote Chekhov’s Three Sisters so that three were reduced to one; Ali Barba and the Forty Thieves became Ali Baba the Loner. His masterpiece is generally considered to be Hamlet but without Hamlet.
He had more success as an inventor. It is said that when Alexander Graham Bell first used his new invention – the telephone – he found that there were three missed calls from Jára Cimrman. The internet was also developed by Cimrman although without the use of computers. The available technology at the time meant that he had to arrange for its facilities to be provided by a large number of retired schoolteachers sitting in an ex-circus tent replying to telephone enquiries.
Not a lot is known about where Cimrman lived although it is thought that at some time he lived in Newcastle, or the surrounding area. It is recorded that he beat Lord Armstrong whilst playing cards and received, in lieu of the gambling debt, what is now known as Jesmond Dene which he then donated to the residents of Newcastle.
Neither is it known where or when Cimrman died or was buried. It has been suggested that he died in 1966 in which case it is unlikely that, as rumoured, he trained the England football team to their World Cup win against Germany.
If any geocachers are aware of more detail of Jára Cimrman’s life or achievements, please feel free to include them in their online logs which will be eagerly read by Cimrmanomists.
To calculate the final co-ordinates:
From the posted co-ordinates, walk in a roughly westerly direction up the street and across the road for about 200 feet which should bring you to a red post box whose number is NEA BCD. Now, continue to walk roughly south down the street for about 100 feet. On the house to your right is a plaque with a date 1XYZ.
Checksum for ABC and XYZ = 32
The cache is to be found at: N54 58.(B-A)(C-A)(A+Z) W001 35.(Y+Z)(X-B)(B+A)
Please be aware that the final cache location is very busy so please use stealth and consideration.
The cache does contain a small stamp which isn't a trade item. Please leave in the cache.