Clypeus - 1968 - Vol 5 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: CLYPEUS
Issue: n° 4
Volume: Vo
Date: August 1968
Publisher: Associazione Piemontese di Esobiologia and Gruppo Clypeus
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

CLYPEUS is presented as the first and only Italian magazine dedicated to Esobiology. This issue, dated August 1968, covers a diverse range of topics including the supernatural, space exploration, and etymology.

Articles and Content

L'ombra di Frankenstein (The Shadow of Frankenstein) by Bill Fargo

This article delves into the macabre world of Haitian Voodoo, describing the phenomenon of "zombies" – individuals brought back to a semblance of life through dark rituals. It recounts the story of Ti-Joseph and his group of workers, who were brought from the remote valley of Morne-au-Diable. These individuals, described as semi-savages, were hired by the Haitian American Sugar Company. The narrative highlights the eerie nature of these workers, who seemed to be living corpses, and their peculiar behavior, including not receiving wages directly but having their capo group, Ti-Joseph, collect it. A particularly disturbing event occurs when Croyance, Ti-Joseph's wife, distributes focaccias containing salt, leading the workers to exhibit wild screams and return to their village. The article touches upon the belief in "living dead" and the connection to Voodoo cults, mentioning the case of Mary Emar, a 22-year-old who reportedly disappeared after being declared dead and was later found preserved with plant juices.

The article also touches upon the political climate in Haiti, mentioning tensions with the Dominican Republic and the concept of a "president-sorcerer." It traces the history of Haiti back to the Spanish conquest and the subsequent importation of slaves from Africa, who brought with them their religious traditions and deities. The article lists several supernatural beings venerated in the "Ville-aux-Camps" and their origins in Dahomey, Nigeria, and Guinea. It concludes by mentioning the persistence of Voodoo rituals, including human sacrifices in the past, and the ongoing influence of these ancient cults despite the prevalence of Catholicism.

Clipeodizionario (Clipeodictionary) by Gianni Settimo

This section provides a catalog of various space probes, detailing their country of origin, launch dates, weight, apogee, perigee, and orbital characteristics. It includes entries for DISCOVERER 5°, 6°, 7° (USA), EXPLORER 7° (USA), LUNIK 2°, 3° (URSS), and VANGUARD 3° (USA), offering technical data for each.

Un ritorno all'ipotesi meteorica o magnetica sugli "U.F.O." ? (A Return to the Meteoric or Magnetic Hypothesis for "UFOs"?) by Solas Boncompagni

This article discusses the renewed interest in the meteoric and magnetic hypotheses for UFOs, spurred by recent commissions of inquiry in the USA (Prof. Condon) and the USSR (General Skolyarof). The author notes that these hypotheses gained traction in 1952 due to an unusual meteor shower. The Sezione Ufologica of the Movimento Culturale Umanistico Fiorentino has been conducting research, aided by a group of young Florentine university students. The article critiques existing UFO groups in Italy, quoting Jacques Vallee's "ANATOMY OF A PHENOMENON" which suggests they are inactive. The author emphasizes their own efforts, made with personal sacrifices, and highlights a UFO sighting from August 6, 1947, documented by Professor Tilve Fussi Mangoni. This case, along with others from 1947-1952, leads the researchers to reconsider the meteoric or magnetic explanations for UFOs. The article also mentions the importance of consulting archives at the Ximeniano and the Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, and pays tribute to the late Professor Guido Horn D'Arturo.

Festival della fantascienza a Trieste (Science Fiction Festival in Trieste) by Gianfranco Battisti

This is a brief mention of a science fiction festival held in Trieste.

La tecnica sfrutta gli Ufo ? (Does Technology Exploit UFOs?)

This article poses a question about whether technology is being used to exploit UFO phenomena.

Evoluzione dei mezzi di comunicazione intelletiva fra gli uomini (Evolution of Intellectual Communication Methods Among Humans) by Gabriele Costetti

This article explores the historical development of human communication methods.

Clypeus Telestar

This appears to be a brief mention or section related to Clypeus and Telestar.

In orbita con i francobolli (In Orbit with Stamps) by Phil Aster

This article likely discusses stamps related to space exploration or celestial themes.

Isidoro e C. by Federico Astengo

This is a titled entry by Federico Astengo, the content of which is not detailed in the provided text.

Other Sections

I Vostri Nomi (Your Names) by Caterina Serafin

• This section is dedicated to onomastics, the study of names. It provides etymological and historical information for several names:
• Alfonso: Of Germanic origin, meaning "noble man ready for battle" or "inflexible fighter." It was used by royal dynasties and mentions Alfonso X of Castile, known as "The Wise."
• Ippolito: Of Greek origin, meaning "he who loosens the reins of horses." It is linked to the myth of Hippolytus, son of Theseus.
• Alfredo: Considered Germanic in origin, but actually from England, meaning "he who is advised by elves (sprites)." It mentions Alfred the Great of Wessex.
• Bernardo: Of German origin, meaning "strong as a bear." It references Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.
• Filippo: Of Greek origin, meaning "friend of the horse." It mentions Saint Philip Neri.
• Alessandro: Related to Alessio, of Greek origin, meaning "protector of men." It mentions Alexander the Great.
• Agostino: A diminutive of Augustus, meaning "presage" or "augury," and later "great" or "worthy of respect."

PER MOTIVI TECNICI (For Technical Reasons)

This indicates that the "U.F.O. Encyclopedia" has been postponed until October.

Con Raymond William Drake attraverso il tempo e lo spazio (With Raymond William Drake Through Time and Space)

This is a translated and condensed commentary from the "EVENING CHRONICLE" of May 31, 1968, by Gypsi Fin. It introduces the theories of Raymond William Drake, a customs official who posits that mythological gods were extraterrestrial visitors and that humans might be their descendants. Drake's research, spanning two decades and ten languages, is presented in his book "Spaziali nell'Oriente antico" (Space Travelers in Ancient Orient). The article highlights Drake's assertion that Earth is millions of years old and that civilization is only about 6-7 thousand years old. He believes the increasing number of UFO sightings are part of a gradual campaign by "strangers" to prepare for contact. His book is described as containing plausible and highly technical arguments. A follow-up book, "Spaziali nell'Occidente antico" (Space Travelers in Ancient West), is forthcoming.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the unexplained, extraterrestrial phenomena (UFOs), and fringe science (esobiology). There is a strong interest in mythology, ancient history, and speculative theories about humanity's origins and the cosmos. The editorial stance appears to be open to exploring unconventional ideas, as evidenced by the inclusion of articles on Voodoo, alien contact theories, and the re-examination of older UFO hypotheses. The magazine also engages with the cultural aspects of these topics, such as science fiction and the etymology of names, suggesting a broad approach to the study of the unusual.

This issue of TeleStar, identified by volume XLVII and issue numbers 101-110, published in 1967, is a comprehensive exploration of ufology, science fiction, history, and related topics. The magazine is primarily in Italian, with a focus on Italian culture and history, but also touches upon international events and literature.

Historical UFO Sightings in Italy

The issue begins by examining historical accounts of aerial phenomena in Italy. It references the work of the "Sezione Fiorentina" which investigated sightings between 1947 and 1952, describing luminous objects of various shapes and colors, sometimes with unusual low, horizontal trajectories. The magazine then delves into historical literature, citing passages from Dante Alighieri's "Convivio," Dino Compagni's "Cronica," and Giovanni Villani's "Cronica" regarding a celestial event in Florence in November 1301, described as a vermilion cross and interpreted as a divine omen. A similar phenomenon is mentioned by Benvenuto Cellini in "La Vita" concerning an event on January 5, 1537, coinciding with the assassination of Duke Alessandro. The article suggests these phenomena might be explained as meteors or atmospheric refractions, but acknowledges their historical significance and association with important events.

Science Fiction Film Festival in Trieste

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the International Science Fiction Film Festival held in Trieste from July 6-13. The event showcased films from 12 countries across three specialized sections: scientific, investigative, and experimental films; a retrospective of classic science fiction cinema; and evening screenings of recent feature films and short films. The jury, presided over by Mario Soldati, awarded the 'golden asteroid' to the English film "The Sorcerers" by Michael Reeves. Special mentions went to "Ià,spravedlnost" (Czechoslovakia) and "Tumannoct' Andromedy" (USSR). Awards for best actors were given to Oleg Strizhenov (USSR) and Catherine Lacey (UK). Boris Karloff received an honorary diploma for his extensive work in fantastic cinema. The festival also included an award for the American short film "Poem Field n. 1" and a "golden seal" for "Synthetic Komika" (Yugoslavia). A special prize was awarded to the French short "Ne jouez pas avec le Martiens." Accompanying the festival were exhibitions on iron sculpture, NASA photography, and international fanzines, as well as a roundtable discussion on European fandom.

Exploring the "Anti-Bang" Device

An article discusses a revolutionary device being studied by American technicians to suppress the sonic boom of supersonic aircraft. The device aims to create an electric field in front of the aircraft to eliminate the "bang." The concept is explained as modifying the aircraft's "carrozzeria" (body) to alter the interaction with the surrounding air. The article draws a parallel to the way dolphins use electrical circuits to sense water movement for optimal positioning. It is suggested that this "anti-bang" device might produce luminous effects reminiscent of aurora borealis. Engineer E.P. Gilles of the Société d'Astronomie Populaire de Toulouse comments that the "anti-bang" device may have been inspired by observations of "flying saucers," and if successful, could provide proof for those who have witnessed UFOs transition from zero to supersonic speeds instantly and silently.

Evolution of Communication and Ancient Civilizations

Gabriele Costetti contributes an article on the evolution of intellectual communication among humans, tracing the development of language from early Indo-European roots, influenced by Celtic, Sanskrit, and Phoenician, to the sophisticated Greek language. The article highlights the influence of Thrace on Greek culture, mentioning figures like Orpheus and the importance of Thracian sanctuaries. It then shifts to the maritime civilizations of the Mediterranean, discussing the Phoenicians, Lydians, and the grandeur of Mycenae, Crete, and Rhodes. The discovery of tombs with gold masks at Mycenae and the palace of Knossos in Crete are described, along with the frescoes, artifacts, and evidence of a sophisticated Minoan civilization. The article touches upon the Dorian invasion of Greece and the subsequent dark age, leading to the "miracle of Greece."

Extensive Bibliography of Atlantis Books

A substantial section of the magazine is dedicated to a comprehensive bibliography of books concerning Atlantis. This list, numbered from 111 to 173, includes numerous titles in Italian, French, and English, with authors such as M.G. Verdaguer, Pierre Benoit, Alain Decaux, W. Scott-Elliot, G. D'Amato, H.P. Blavatsky, and many others. For each entry, the title, publisher, year, page count, illustrations, and price are provided, along with notes on rarity or condition. This extensive list serves as a valuable resource for researchers and enthusiasts of the Atlantis myth.

Philately: Space and Astronautics Stamps

An article by Phil Aster, titled "In Orbita Con I Francobolli" (In Orbit With Stamps), discusses the philatelic market in Italy. It notes a cautious approach by collectors and investors, with continued interest in Italian Kingdom series and English specimens. The "Space and astronautics" sector is highlighted as popular and experiencing a revival, with collectors becoming more discerning and focusing on specific series related to space launches and cosmonauts. The article also mentions the ongoing debate about the practice of leaving gum traces on new stamps.

Comic Strip: Isidoro e C.

The issue concludes with a humorous comic strip by Federico Astengo titled "Isidoro e C." This strip features characters discussing and interpreting the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, particularly "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," in a lighthearted and satirical manner.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of history, mythology, and unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs. There is a clear interest in historical documentation and scholarly research, as evidenced by the detailed bibliographies and discussions of ancient texts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and historical accounts without necessarily endorsing any single explanation, especially concerning UFOs. The inclusion of science fiction literature and film suggests a broader interest in speculative and imaginative themes. The magazine also values cultural heritage, as seen in the articles on ancient civilizations and communication evolution. The philately section indicates an awareness of contemporary trends and collector interests. Overall, TeleStar presents itself as an informative and intellectually stimulating publication for those interested in the unusual and the historical.

Title: CLYPEUS
Issue: 4
Volume: 5
Date: August 1968
Publisher: Libreria Stampatori
Country: Italy
Language: Italian
Focus: Esobiology, Ufology, Philosophy

Content Summary

This issue of Clypeus, dated August 1968, presents a blend of philosophical commentary, popular culture references, and promotional material.

Comic Strip: Zarathustra and Friends

The primary visual content is a multi-panel comic strip that humorously explores the character of Zarathustra, drawing parallels with Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical concepts. The comic features dialogues where characters discuss Zarathustra's potential encounters with figures like Clay and even ponder if he would be a 'welterweight' boxer. The strip also touches upon the idea of printing t-shirts with Zarathustra's face and references a book about him. The dialogue playfully questions Nietzsche's own ideas, with one character remarking, "MA'?... QUESTO NIETZSCHE... COMINCIA UN PO' A SCADERMI.." (Well?... This Nietzsche... is starting to bore me a bit..). The comic is signed 'Alenço 67' and 'Renzo 67', indicating the artists.

Literary and Bibliographic Promotion

Page 3 prominently features the phrase "NON E' TERRESTRE" repeated extensively, suggesting a book or theme related to extraterrestrial or non-terrestrial subjects. It mentions "casa editrice Sugar" (Sugar publishing house) and advertises "NOTIZIA SENSAZIONALE!" and "FENOMENALE SUCCESSO" (Sensational News! Phenomenal Success), with the book costing "solo lire 2.000".

Further down, "Libreria Stampatori" in Torino is presented as the direct source for ordering, providing their address, phone number, and postal account details. They offer "Porto e imballo gratis" (Free shipping and packaging) for all readers of "Clypeus".

Page 4 introduces "«desiderata» SETTIMANALE PER RICERCHE BIBLIOGRAFICHE" (Weekly for Bibliographic Research) by Edoardo Marini, based in Trieste. This service offers bibliographic research on Italian and foreign books related to topics covered in the journal.

Editorial Notes and Subscriptions

The cover of the magazine (page 4) displays the title "CLYPEUS" with the subtitle "LA PRIMA E UNICA RIVISTA ITALIANA DI ESOBIOLOGIA" (The First and Only Italian Magazine of Esobiology). It is dated "AGOSTO 1968" and is "ANNO 5° N° 4". The cover also includes a postal address for "Miss Edith C.M. NICOLAISEN" in Sweden, indicating international readership or correspondence.

A section on page 4 mentions the magazine's collaboration with "L'ECO DELLA STAMPA", an agency that provides articles and news on topics covered by the magazine. It also includes a notice for subscribers: "SE IL QUADRO A FIANCO È SEGNATO IN ROSSO IL VOSTRO ABBONAMENTO È SCADUTO" (If the box next to it is marked in red, your subscription has expired).

Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to cover topics related to ufology, esobiology, and philosophical discussions, often with a lighthearted or critical approach, as seen in the comic strip. The editorial stance seems to be one of promoting research and literature in these fields, while also engaging with popular culture and philosophical ideas in an accessible manner. The repeated emphasis on "Non E' Terrestre" suggests a strong focus on extraterrestrial or anomalous phenomena. The magazine also values reader engagement, as indicated by the subscription renewal notice and the provision of contact information for ordering and research services.