About the ACA :: Sample Issue of The Cryptogram

We offer here a special, abbreviated sample issue of the cryptogram, the bi-monthly publication for members of The American Cryptogram Association(ACA). Our sample issue tells a little about the ACA, teaches about some of the types of ciphers we solve, and includes a number of challenge ciphers for you to try to solve. Solutions, membership information and a membership application can be found on the last three pages of this Sample Issue of The Cryptogram.

Hint: the first page of the sample contains an ornamental cipher, so you may want to print two copies of the first page so you can cut one up!

The ACA is a non-profit organization founded in 1929 and dedicated to promoting the hobby and art of cryptanalysis -- that is, learning to break ciphers. All articles and ciphers are written by ACA members. The ACA is a volunteer organization. No member receives compensation for the time or talents given to make the ACA what it is.

Regular issues of The Cryptogram are mailed to our members six times a year (bi-monthly). A typical issue is 6"x9", has 32 pages, and contains articles, statistics, over 100 ciphers to be solved, and solutions to the ciphers published four months previously. A May-June issue, for example, is received by members around May 1, and its last page contains solutions to the January-February issue that preceded it.

We hope you enjoy this sample issue. If you did, join us! Submit an application to become a member of the American Cryptogram Association.