Clypeus UFO and Fortean Phenomena - 1977 No 2-3

Magazine Overview

Title: CLYPEUS UFO AND FORTEAN PHENOMENA

Issue: Volume I, Number 2/3

Date: March-April/May-June 1977

Publisher: Gianni V. Settimo

Country of Publication: Italy

Language: Italian

Type: Bimonthly magazine, published by Gianni V. Settimo in Torino, Italy. It is presented as a cultural and informational publication, sent free to members of the 'Gruppo Clypeus'. The magazine aims to cover UFO and Fortean phenomena.

Editorial and Content Overview

The editorial states that this issue is a double issue, combining two previous 'specials' on 'aeronavi' from 1897 and the 1947 UFO wave. Due to this consolidation, the number of pages has been reduced, and some regular features, such as the 'fortiana' column, have been postponed. The magazine highlights its commitment to providing detailed information, even if it means limiting the scope of certain articles. The issue includes a focus on landing cases and analysis of two 'false' UFO-related incidents: the case of the ufologist buried in Aurora and the 'abduction' of a cow. A review of the 'Fortean Times' magazine is also included.

Illustrations are emphasized as a key feature of this issue, compensating for the lack of photographs, which is noted as a handicap. The editorial also addresses corrections to errors from the previous issue, including specific case details and map scales.

Key Articles and Sections

Casistica Recente (Recent Cases)

This section presents the second part of the American low-altitude landing and sighting cases from the second half of 1975, focusing on October. It includes detailed reports from various locations in the USA and Canada:

• October 2, 1975: Multiple brilliant objects observed at low altitude in Albany County, Wyoming.
• October 7, 1975: Five students in Santa Cruz, California, observed a large, circular, dome-shaped object hovering over a beach.
• October 8, 1975: A UFO was observed hovering low and then moving towards the mountains near Colorado.
• October 10, 1975: Residents in Fergus County, Montana, witnessed a fiery sphere that changed shape and color.
• October 14, 1975: An object with three lights was observed moving erratically in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
• October 16, 1975: Two people in Brazows City, Texas, saw three luminous discs, one of which landed, leaving behind carbonized stones.
• October 16-17, 1975: Multiple sightings of white lights hovering at low altitude in Niobrara County, Wyoming, with reports of cattle mutilations.
• October 17, 1975: Sightings of dark objects and circular objects in Northbay, Ontario, Canada.
• October 18, 1975: A truck driver in Flesher Pass, Montana, observed a hovering object that caused his vehicle's lights to go out and his watch to stop.
• October 18, 1975: A hunter in Columbia Falls, Montana, observed a large white sphere that changed color and moved towards the mountains.
• October 18, 1975: A woman in Flathead County, Montana, observed a large orange sphere following her car.
• October 20, 1975: Two witnesses in Hailey, Idaho, observed a red light that transformed into a rotating, almond-shaped object emitting a strong blue light.
• October 21, 1975: A strong white light was observed landing in Aitkin, Minnesota, followed by two red lights.
• October 22, 1975: An 18-year-old in Flathead County, Montana, was pursued by an oval UFO.
• October 23, 1975: Multiple witnesses in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, reported an oblong object with lights.
• October 29, 1975: Two witnesses in North Ward, Ontario, observed a fish-shaped object with yellow-red lights moving at high speed.

The section concludes by noting that the third part of this series will be in the next issue, along with cases from July-October that were only known after publication, and a focus on the South African 'flap' of July 1972.

Osservatorio (Observatory)

This section discusses a dispute between two German ufologists, Karl Veit and August Woerner, regarding the intentions of extraterrestrials. Veit believes UFOs are from friendly visitors trying to warn humanity about atomic conflict and interference with nature. Woerner, however, considers them 'dangerous nonsense' and believes that 'extras' are waiting for humanity to be decimated to take over the planet. Their disagreement escalated when Woerner reported Veit to the National Tribunal of Frankfurt for 'espionage in favor of extraterrestrial powers'. The article highlights the unprecedented nature of a tribunal judging a case of alleged extraterrestrial espionage.

Casistica Antica (Ancient Cases)

This article covers 'aeronavi' (airships) sightings over the USA in April and May 1897.

CLYPEUS-ricerche (CLYPEUS Research)

This piece, titled 'Riposi in pace: la ballata d'un ufo-nauta sepolto in un cimitero texano' (Rest in peace: the ballad of a UFO-naut buried in a Texan cemetery), is written by Edoardo Russo.

L'aeronave e la vacca (The Airship and the Cow)

This article by Robert J. M. Rickard discusses the case of an airship and a cow.

Una rivista (A Magazine)

A review of the magazine 'Fortean Times'.

Casistica Classica (Classic Cases)

This section covers 'type-1' sightings in the Western USA in 1947.

Un libro (A Book)

A review of Henry Durrant's book, 'Prémieres Enquêtes sur les Humanoïdes Extraterrestres' (First Investigations into Extraterrestrial Humanoids).

Casistica Medio-recente (Medium-Recent Cases)

This section covers 'type-1' sightings in Brazil in 1965.

Other Content

• 'saranno ostili, però....' (They will be hostile, though....): Reports on a journalistic expedition to the Amazon region of eastern Peru to verify claims made by José Alvarez about an encounter with small, green-scaled beings.
• 'capelli d'angelo... o ragnatele?' (Angel hair... or cobwebs?): Discusses an incident in Auckland, New Zealand, where white fibrous filaments were observed falling from the sky after a UFO sighting. Analysis suggested they were cobwebs, but the timing and context raised questions.
• 'tiro (all'UFO) con l'arco' (Shooting (at UFOs) with a bow): Describes indigenous people in Venezuela hunting a UFO that had been tormenting a town.
• 'umanoide in Australia' (Humanoid in Australia): Details two sightings in New South Wales, Australia, involving a humanoid creature described as 'very white', tall, with robust legs and broad shoulders, and multifaceted eyes.
• 'ultimissime: atterraggio nel Galles' (Latest news: landing in Wales): Reports on fourteen children in Dyfedshire, Wales, who observed a UFO landing near their school.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, Fortean phenomena, and anomalous aerial events. It presents a wide range of cases, from historical accounts to contemporary reports, with a particular emphasis on detailed case descriptions and witness testimonies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, providing a platform for researchers and enthusiasts. The magazine values voluntary collaboration and aims to inform its readership, as evidenced by its free distribution to 'Gruppo Clypeus' members. There is a clear interest in exploring the more unusual aspects of the UFO phenomenon, including humanoids and alleged extraterrestrial interactions with human society.

This issue of "UFO & il presidente" (UFO & the President), identified as issue number 9 from volume 1 and dated March 1977, focuses on the intersection of UFO phenomena with political figures and historical accounts. The cover headline prominently features "gli UFO & il presidente" (UFOs & the President), suggesting a theme of governmental interest or involvement in UFO matters. The magazine is published by UFO and is in Italian.

Article 1: Historical Sightings (1897)

The magazine presents a detailed section on historical UFO sightings, specifically focusing on the 'aeronavi' (airships) wave that occurred in North America between July 1896 and August 1897. It states that approximately 2500 cases are known, with at least two hundred resisting explanation. The archives contain about 300 reports from this period, and the article highlights 25 incidents involving 'occupants' of these 'aeronavi'.

Several specific cases from April 1897 are detailed:

• April 11/21, 1897 - Milwaukee (WI): Thousands observed an ovoid, dark object with a bright light underneath hovering for 15 minutes. Four occupants were seen.
• April 12/18, 1897 - Girard (IL): Miners witnessed an elongated, pointed object land. It resembled a boat with a domed roof, and an occupant was seen repairing machinery.
• April 14/15, 1897 - Gas City (IN): An object landed near a farm, terrifying livestock. Six occupants emerged and performed repairs before departing.
• April 15, 1897 - Linn Grove (IA): A large object landed, extending four 'gigantic' wings. Two occupants threw out two stones of unknown composition.
• April 15, 1897 - Springfield (IL): Two farmers encountered a landed aircraft with three occupants who claimed to have traveled from Quincy.
• April 16, 1897 - Downs (IL): A farmer saw a 'flying ship' land nearby, with six men emerging to discuss with him before departing.
• April 19, 1897 - Beaumont (TX): A father and son encountered a dark object with four men. They were given water and told the craft was returning from a test flight.
• April 20, 1897 - Homan (AR): A train conductor heard a steam engine sound and found an aircraft. He spoke with an occupant who explained its operation.
• April 22/23, 1897 - Rockland (TX): A farmer saw a cylindrical aircraft with large wings and lights, which landed and then departed.
• April 27, 1897 - Dayton (OH): Two people observed a large cigar-shaped object with a basket underneath containing three human-like occupants.
• May 6, 1897 - Hot Springs (AR): Two police officers observed a brilliant light and a cigar-shaped aircraft, about 20 meters long, with three occupants.
• May 6, 1897 - Matteawan (NY): An object with white and green lights was observed, with 2 or 3 occupants, one of whom threw out hot ashes.

The article notes that two famous cases, the Aurora crash (April 17) and the Hamilton cow abduction (April 19), were excluded as they were proven false and treated separately.

Article 2: UFOs & the President

This section discusses the stance of then-current US President Jimmy Carter on UFOs. It recalls his 1976 election campaign promise to request the publication of all classified UFO reports if elected. The article states that Carter has seen a UFO but has not committed to pursuing them once in office. It also mentions that a Scandinavian researcher from SUFOI had written to Carter's campaign office requesting details, and received a polite response from his Special Assistant, Vicki Sparks, dated September 13, 1976.

The article also touches upon the declassification of USAF UFO material following the closure of Project Blue Book in 1969. This material, comprising about 140,000 pages, was transferred from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to the National Archives in Washington D.C. on July 9, 1976. The release was reportedly preceded by a campaign by former Blue Book officials to downplay its significance.

Necrology: Dr. Donald Menzel

The magazine includes an obituary for Dr. Donald Menzel, a Harvard University professor known for his books "Flying Saucers" (1953) and "The World of Flying Saucers" (1963). Menzel was noted for attempting to explain UFO phenomena as misinterpretations of natural events. The obituary acknowledges his contribution to ufology by daring to address the subject when it was considered unscientific. Despite his skepticism, he is described as an admirable figure. The article notes that in his later years, his explanations were less relevant to the growing interest in low-altitude sightings. His ideas were not accepted by the American aviation authorities but found some consensus in the Soviet Union in the late 1960s. He is referred to as the "number 1 enemy of ufology."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are historical UFO sightings, the potential for government transparency regarding UFOs, and the role of skeptical yet influential figures in the field of ufology. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting both historical and contemporary UFO events, while also acknowledging and analyzing the contributions of various researchers, including skeptics like Menzel. The magazine seems to advocate for the serious study of UFO phenomena, evidenced by its detailed case files and references to numerous documentation sources.

This issue of "CLYPEUS - RICERCHE" focuses on historical UFO cases, specifically the "Aurora Incident" from Texas and the "Hamilton Case" from Kansas, both from 1897. The magazine presents these accounts with a critical eye, exploring their origins, investigations, and the possibility of hoaxes.

The Aurora Incident: A UFO Crash in Texas

The lead article, "RIPOSI IN PACE: La ballata di un ufonauta sepolto in un cimitero texano" (Rest in Peace: The Ballad of a UFO-naut Buried in a Texas Cemetery), details the alleged crash of a mysterious airship in Aurora, Texas, on April 17, 1897. The report, originally published in the Dallas Morning News on April 19, 1897, describes the craft as having a "complex machine" that was malfunctioning and losing altitude. It crashed into the windmill of Judge Proctor, causing a significant explosion and scattering debris over several acres. The article states that the pilot's remains were "horribly mangled" and that it was clear the being was "not an inhabitant of this world." T. J. Teems, a telegraphist and self-proclaimed astronomy authority, suggested the pilot might be from Mars. Indecipherable hieroglyphs were found on fragments believed to be from the ship's logbook. The craft was reportedly made of an unknown metal, possibly an aluminum and silver alloy, and weighed several tons. The pilot was to be buried in the Aurora cemetery.

This article was rediscovered in 1966 by Donald Hanlon during research with Jacques Vallée on "shot-down" aircraft. Hanlon presented the story to Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who initially received responses from local historians suggesting it was a prank. To verify, Hynek enlisted Dr. Alfred Kraus to investigate the site.

Kraus traveled to Dallas to check the Morning News archives and then to Decatur, Texas, to visit the Wise County Historical Society. He interviewed residents in Aurora twice. His findings indicated that Aurora was a prosperous town in the late 19th century, situated on the Old Chisolm Trail, but by 1897, it was in decline due to an epidemic of typhoid fever, the failure of local cotton crops, and being bypassed by a new railroad line. The reporter, S. E. Haydon, was a cotton merchant known for playing pranks and was a stringer for local newspapers. It's suggested he may have fabricated the story to bring attention back to Aurora.

Further investigation by journalist Frank Tolbert revealed that T. J. Weems, mentioned in the article, was actually Aurora's blacksmith. Another journalist, Jerry Flemmons, learned that an elderly telegraphist had confessed years earlier that Weems invented the story while in Iowa, and it had no basis in reality. Kraus's on-site investigation found no evidence of a crash or a unique metal. He also noted that the town's cemetery records and historical archives did not mention any unusual events like an aircraft crash.

Johannes Dettwiler, an English ufologist, inquired with the Aurora town hall in January 1972. The response stated the case was a clear fabrication, with no evidence to support it, and that local residents denied any such event. The town hall suggested the story was a prank by telegraph office employees due to boredom.

Despite the evidence pointing to a hoax, the story resurfaced in the spring of 1973. The article suggests that the motive for reviving the story might be related to Aurora being reincorporated as a US municipality in late 1972, potentially to attract tourism.

The Hamilton Case: An Airship and a Cow

The second major article, "L'AERONAVE E LA VACCA" (The Airship and the Cow) by Robert J. M. Rickard, recounts the story of Alexander Hamilton of Kansas, who reported an encounter with an airship on the evening of April 19, 1897. This account was published in the Farmers Advocate.

Hamilton, a former member of the state legislature, described being awakened by noises from his cattle. He observed a "cigar-shaped" airship, approximately 100 meters long, descending slowly towards his farm, about 30-40 meters above the ground. A gondola, made of transparent material and illuminated from within, was suspended beneath it. The craft had a large reflector and two smaller lights, one red and one green. Hamilton, his farmhand Gid Heslip, and his son Wall, armed with axes, approached the airship. They observed six strange beings inside: two men, one woman, and three children, who were conversing in an unknown language. The non-transparent parts of the vessel were a dark red color.

Suddenly, a noise attracted the beings' attention, and they directed a "reflector" towards the witnesses. The airship then ascended with the sound of a "screaming" turbine. It hovered above a three-year-old heifer that was mooing and struggling, seemingly caught in a wire fence. A red cable, about as thick as a finger, was attached to the animal's neck and extended from the airship. The witnesses were unable to break the cable, so they cut the fence. They watched as the airship, the cow, and the fence were lifted into the air and disappeared towards the northwest.

Hamilton was so shaken he couldn't sleep. The next morning, he searched for his cow and found its skin, legs, and head in the field of Lank Thomas, about three to four miles west of LeRoy. Thomas had brought the remains to town for identification but found no tracks in the soft ground. Hamilton reported recurring nightmares of the craft and its occupants.

The Farmers Advocate published a sworn statement signed by ten prominent citizens of Woodson, Allen, and Coffey counties, attesting to Hamilton's honesty and sincerity.

Charles Fort also wrote to Hamilton about the case, but received no reply. The case gained renewed interest with the rise of the flying saucer phenomenon. Dr. Joseph Allen Hynek mentioned the "calf-napping" case in a 1960 conference. Dr. Jacques Vallée published the full story in his second book, leading to the "discovery" of the 1896-97 "flap" of aircraft. The case is considered important for its correlation with UFO-animal abduction phenomena and the description of the "six strange beings."

Jerome Clark, an ufologist, traced a relative of Hamilton, Elisabeth Hamilton Linde, who stated that her family liked to believe the story was true, but she recalled hearing from friends of her grandfather that Alex and the Farmers Advocate editor had fabricated the story. Despite this, the "cow-napping" story continued to appear in newspapers and magazines.

In 1976, Robert Schadewald received a clipping from the Buffalo Enterprise (January 28, 1943) which reprinted the Hamilton story. This prompted a letter from Ben Hudson, son of F. Hudson (Hamilton's friend and editor of the Farmers Advocate in 1897), who claimed that Hamilton and his father invented the story during a discussion over a "sewing machine." The letter included a statement from his father, who had purchased a gasoline motor.

The magazine includes a visual reconstruction of the Hamilton case from "Our Space Age" comics, depicting a UFO hovering over a cow.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's editorial stance appears to be one of critical examination of historical UFO accounts. While presenting the details of the Aurora and Hamilton cases, it consistently highlights evidence of hoaxes, inconsistencies, and the lack of concrete proof. The articles emphasize the importance of thorough investigation and skepticism when dealing with extraordinary claims, particularly those that have been sensationalized by the media or promoted for economic or publicity reasons. The recurring theme is the need to distinguish between genuine unexplained phenomena and fabricated stories, often driven by local economic interests or media attention.

Title: Fortean Times
Issue: 19
Volume: 1976 (referring to the year of publication of the magazine's content, though the issue date is November 1973)
Publisher: Robert J.M. Rickard
Country: Great Britain
Language: English
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Fortean Times, dated November 1973, presents a collection of unusual phenomena and reports, with a significant focus on UFO sightings and the history of ufology. The magazine is edited, composed, directed, and published by Robert J.M. Rickard, and it continues the work of Charles Fort by documenting and analyzing anomalous events.

Article: The 'Hamilton' Story - A Hoax?

This section delves into a famous UFO case, likely the 1947 Washington event, and explores the possibility that it was an elaborate hoax orchestrated by Alex Hamilton. The narrative begins with the author's recollection of how the story of a flying object was invented, initially as a joke, and then published in the Yates Center News. The story gained international attention, with many newspapers illustrating it with imaginary drawings. Hamilton himself reportedly called it a 'flying object' story, and later, a 'flying object' invention.

Jerome Clark received a letter from Donna Steeby, whose 93-year-old mother, Ethel Howard Shaw, recalled hearing the story from Alex Hamilton. Shaw's statement describes a family gathering where Hamilton excitedly recounted his invention of a story for the local newspaper, the 'Advocate'. His wife's reaction was one of scandal, while the children were amused. Shaw's mother and friends reportedly formed a club called 'Ananias' where they would share their most outlandish invented stories.

Despite some ufologists' objections that these declarations might also be false, Jerome Clark finds it highly improbable that Mrs. Shaw and Mr. Hudson (presumably another witness or involved party) would lie. He questions the motive for such a deception, especially if it was to 'save the Hamilton family name' by admitting the patriarch was a liar. Clark also points out the large number of people involved in this 'unmasking' across different times and places.

The article highlights the strong belief many have in this story, calling it 'the most convincing story of all time in ufological saga,' and their resistance to accepting it as a fabrication. John Keel is quoted as saying, 'We are in trouble now. It has always been the best story of all. If this collapses, we can seriously doubt all other cases.'

Clark believes that pursuing the truth, even if it reveals a hoax, is necessary for progress in ufology. He notes Hamilton's impeccable credibility, his love for pranks, and his ability to convince ten friends of significant responsibility to sign a statement of its veracity. The author concludes that the prank was successful, fooling everyone who believed it.

Article: Classic Case Studies - Type 1 Sightings in the Western USA (1947)

This extensive section meticulously lists and details numerous UFO sightings from the "first modern wave" of UFO sightings in 1947, specifically focusing on the Western United States. The region covered includes the Pacific Coast states (Washington, Oregon, California) and the Rocky Mountain states (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico).

• Each entry provides:
• Date and Time: Precise or approximate.
• Location: City and State/Province.
• Description: Detailed accounts of the object's appearance, behavior, and any associated phenomena.
• Sources: References to books, magazines, and reports where the case is documented.

• Some notable cases include:
• June 10/23, 1947, Douglas, AZ: A girl observes a luminous sphere lifting off the ground.
• June 21, 1947, Saint Maries, ID: Eight large "disks" fly over Spokane and land near the St. Joe River, leaving no trace.
• June 21, 1947, Maury Island, WA: Metallic objects hover over a boat, dropping incandescent fragments that cause injury and damage. This case is noted as likely a hoax, as witnesses attempted to sell the story.
• July 2, 1947, San Francisco, CA: A policeman and a garage attendant observe six silver spherical objects dive into the bay.
• July 6, 1947, Acampo, CA: Residents report a loud rumble and a red glow in the sky, causing a blackout.
• August 13, 1947, Twin Falls, ID: A "plate"-shaped object hovers, emitting a hiss and red flame, shaking nearby trees.

The section also includes a map illustrating the locations of these sightings and a list of abbreviations for various UFO books and publications.

Article: Classic Case Studies - Type 1 Sightings in Brazil (1965)

This section presents eight Type 1 UFO reports from Brazil in 1965 that were excluded from a previous review because they had already appeared in Italian publications. These cases involve humanoid creatures associated with UFOs.

• The cases listed are:
• 1965.07.26 - Carazinho (RGS)
• 1965.07.27 - Various locations (MG)
• 1965.08.12 - Cruzeiros (SP)
• 1965.09.10 - Sao Juao (Pernambuco)
• 1965.10.22 - Altos dos Cruzeiros de Canhotinho (Pern)
• 1965.10.26 - Mogi Guaçu (SP)
• 1965.10.30 - Pinhal (SP)
• 1965.11.13 - Mogi Guaçu (SP)

References are provided to the books where these cases can be found: Coral Lorenzen's "I dischi volanti" (DV), C. & J. Lorenzen's "Gli Uranidi" (ODV), and C. Bowen's "Gli Umanoidi" (UM).

Reproduced sketches from witnesses of two cases (1965.08.22-Lagoa Vermelha, RGS and 1965.08.17-Montes Claros, NG) are included, showing details of the UFO's shape, color, and apparent propulsion system.

Book Review: "Premières Enquêtes sur les Humanoides Extraterrestres" by Henry Durrant

This section reviews the latest book by Henry Durrant, titled "Premières Enquêtes sur les Humanoides Extraterrestres" (First Investigations into Extraterrestrial Humanoids), published by Laffont in Paris. This is the third part of Durrant's UFO trilogy.

The review describes Durrant's background as a journalist who began collecting UFO documentation in the mid-1960s. His first book, "Le Livre Noir des Soucoupes Volantes" (1970), is an introduction to ufology, focusing on humanity's encounter with the UFO mystery. The second book, "Les Dossiers des O.V.N.I." (1973), provides a detailed documentary analysis of the phenomenon itself. The current book, "Premières Enquêtes," focuses on landings and encounters with "extraterrestrials."

Durrant's journalistic method is praised for its clarity and systematic approach. The "Enquête" is divided into "dossiers" that examine specific aspects of the problem, grouped into three parts: "Facts," "Analysis," and "Hypotheses." The review notes that while most of the information is reliable, some details, such as a "destroyed extraterrestrial base in Siberia," should be taken with caution.

Overall, the three books are considered among the best available on the subject and are highly recommended.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores anomalous phenomena, with a strong emphasis on UFOs, Fortean curiosities, and unexplained events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, meticulously documenting cases and presenting them for the reader's consideration, while also critically examining potential hoaxes and explanations. The publication aims to provide a comprehensive resource for those interested in the unexplained, drawing from historical archives and contemporary reports. The inclusion of book reviews and detailed case studies reflects a commitment to in-depth research and analysis within the field of ufology and related subjects.

This issue of CLYPEUS, identified as number 111 and part of volume XXIX, is dated July-August 1973. The cover prominently features a "SPECIAL OFFER!" aimed at increasing the magazine's readership and improving its quality through subscriber contributions. The publisher is CLYPEUS, based in Italy, and the original language is Italian.

Contents and Articles

The issue begins by referencing a Californian event from 1896, linked to "Martians," and the publication of H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" in "Cosmopolitan" in spring 1897. This sets the stage for discussing historical UFO cases.

Historical UFO Cases

Several historical UFO incidents are cited with bibliographic references:

• The Texas Odyssey of 1897: Multiple sources are listed, including articles by D.B. Hanlon and J. Vallée in FSR (Flying Saucer Review) from 1966-1967, and E. Buckle's "Aurora Spaceman -R.I.P.?" in FSR (1973). Duilio Pallottelli's article "L'astronave caduta nel Texas" in "l'Europeo" (1973) is also mentioned.
• "A Texas Woman Recalls a UFO Incident from 1897": This is referenced from "Notiziario ufologico estero" (1973) and a recent article by Walter Pilloni in "l'Europeo" (1977) titled "Morte di un ufonauta." The CLYPEUS editorial staff strongly criticizes Pilloni's article for factual errors, misinterpretations, and forced conclusions, such as attributing the cause of typhoid fever and population flight to the alleged crash. They express disappointment in "l'Europeo" for publishing such content and urge Pilloni to reveal his sources.
• Roberto D'Amico's "An Extraterrestrial Buried in a Texas Cemetery?": Mentioned as appearing in "gli Arcani" (n.16), with the news also reported by the now-defunct "Pi Kappa" magazine.
• The Aurora, Texas Case: Referenced from "The A.P.R.O. Bulletin" (1973) and "Flying Saucers" (1973), where it was debunked.

Carter's UFO Sighting

The issue clarifies the details of a UFO sighting by a witness named Carter. It corrects the erroneous date of 1973 often cited by Italian sources, stating the event occurred in October 1969 around 7:15 PM in Leary, Georgia. The object, observed by ten to twelve people at a distance of 100-200 meters, had a well-defined shape, a bright light, and appeared to move towards the observers before moving away and disappearing. Its color was described as first bluish, then red, and it did not appear solid. The misdating is attributed to Carter sending his report to NICAP in September 1973, after learning about the organization during a UFO "flap" in the US. He had previously reported the sighting to the International UFO Bureau in Oklahoma City.

Publication and Subscription Information

A section titled "ATTENZIONE! OFFERTA SPECIALE!" details how CLYPEUS aims to improve by increasing its page count and incorporating more photographic illustrations. To achieve this, they need to increase their subscriber base, as the magazine is not commercially funded and relies on the annual fee of 5000 lire from its friends.

Special Offer Details:

• Subscribers who help increase the number of friends by bringing in five new subscribers by the end of the year will receive both CLYPEUS-PIEMONTE INSOLITO and CLYPEUS-UFO AND FORTEAN PHENOMENA free for the entire year 1978.
• To qualify, the new subscribers must indicate the referring subscriber's name on the payment form.
• An additional offer extends to the top ten subscribers who submit the largest number of relevant clippings by January 31, 1978. Accepted clippings must be from Italian non-specialized magazines and newspapers, complete, legible, and include source details (publication, city, date) and the sender's surname.

Topics for Clippings:

• UFOLOGIA: UFOs, flying saucers, lights, bolides, sightings, news.
• ESOBIOLOGIA: Extraterrestrial life, radioastronomy, discoveries.
• PARAPSICOLOGIA: Psychic and spiritual events, visions, apparitions, miracles.
• ARCHEOLOGIA: New discoveries, lost continents, anomalies.
• FORTIANA: Unusual events, mysterious animals, traces, coincidences, mysterious deaths/disappearances.
• PIEMONTE: Myths, legends, chronicles, folklore, traditions, mysterious or magical places.

Publisher Information

Contact information is provided for Robert Laffont, a publisher specializing in unusual topics, located at 6, Place Saint-Sulpice, 75006 Paris, France. Readers are encouraged to mention "Clypeus" as the source of information when requesting catalogs or works.

Editorial Stance

The editorial stance is that CLYPEUS is not run by a management group but is a collaborative effort by its readers. They emphasize that readers are the ones who make the magazine by contributing material for the archive. The magazine is presented as a continuation of this collaborative effort.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes critical analysis within ufology, particularly evident in the detailed critique of Walter Pilloni's article. The magazine positions itself as a platform for accurate reporting and a source of reliable information, contrasting itself with publications that it believes spread confusion. The special offer highlights a community-driven approach, where subscribers actively contribute to the magazine's growth and content. The recurring themes include historical UFO cases, the importance of accurate reporting, and the collaborative nature of ufological research and publication.