Doubt - No 22

Magazine Overview

This issue of DOUBT, The Fortean Society Magazine, identified as No. 22 and dated 1931 A.D., is edited by Tiffany Thayer. The cover prominently displays the title 'doubt' and features a quote attributed to Nietzsche: "To prick a swollen one in the belly, I call good pastime." It also advertises the Fortean Society Perpetual Thirteen-Month Calendar, illustrated by IKTOMI.

Editorial Stance and Content Focus

The editorial, titled "ANTIDOTE," sets the tone for the issue, suggesting a deliberate move away from reliance on daily newspapers for information. The editor posits that "What a man wants to have printed is an advertisement. What he doesn't want printed is news," implying that mainstream news is often curated or serves other purposes. For this issue, the focus is on "material of lasting importance from sources other than the daily wypers" (newspapers).

Pre-Columbian Discoveries of America

The core of this issue is dedicated to a comprehensive exploration of pre-Columbian discoveries of America. This is presented as the second bibliography on the subject, following up on a promise made in a previous issue.

Bibliography of Pre-Columbian Discoveries of America by Paul Barron Watson

This extensive bibliography, compiled by Paul Barron Watson, is presented as an introduction to a thesis. It aims to be a complete list of claims regarding the discovery of America before Columbus, based on documentary evidence. The claims are categorized and presented chronologically, including:

• Chinese (499 AD): The article details various historical accounts and scholarly discussions regarding Chinese voyages to America, citing authors like M. de Guignes, H. J. von Klaproth, and Alexander von Humboldt. The debate centers on whether specific Chinese historical accounts refer to actual voyages to the American continent.
• Northmen (1000-1347 AD): This section delves into the well-known Norse voyages to North America, referencing key historical texts such as Adamus Bremensis, Snorri Sturleson's Heimskringla, and the "Antiquitates Americanae." It discusses the identification of Vinland and other Norse settlements, with various scholars debating the exact locations and extent of their explorations.
• Arabs (circa 1125 AD): The bibliography touches upon claims of Arab discovery, referencing sources like Edrisi and M. de Guignes. However, the prevailing scholarly opinion discussed is that any Arab voyages likely did not extend beyond the Canary Islands.
• Welsh (1170 AD): This section examines the legend of Madoc, a Welsh prince who supposedly discovered America. It cites historical accounts from Welsh bards and chronicles, with scholars debating the authenticity and geographical scope of Madoc's alleged voyage.
• Venetians (1380 AD): The Zeno brothers' account of voyages to "Frisland, Eslanda, Engrovelanda, Estatilanda, and Icaria" is presented. The bibliography notes that while some scholars believed these lands were part of North America, others expressed skepticism or interpreted them differently.
• Portuguese (1463 AD), Poles (1476 AD), Martin Behaim (1483 AD), and Cousin of Dieppe (1488 AD): While mentioned in the introduction, these claims are not elaborated upon in the provided text excerpts.

The bibliography meticulously lists consulted libraries and provides extensive references to books, articles, and historical documents, often including brief summaries of the authors' opinions and the evidence they present.

Cover Art and Calendar Promotion

The cover features a woodcut or linoleum print by IKTOMI, illustrating an Indian Legend. This artwork is also featured on the Fortean Society's Perpetual Thirteen-Month calendar, which is advertised as being ready for delivery and available for purchase at $1.00. The calendar is highlighted as a unique historical document.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of DOUBT strongly emphasizes critical thinking and the examination of evidence from diverse and often overlooked sources. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards mainstream narratives and a commitment to exploring unconventional historical and scientific claims, aligning with the Fortean tradition of investigating anomalies and unexplained phenomena. The extensive bibliographical approach underscores a dedication to thorough research and the presentation of historical debates.

This issue of Fortean Times, dated October 1996, with the cover headline "The Zeno Story: Fact or Fiction?", delves into historical mysteries and anomalous phenomena. The magazine presents a detailed examination of the Zeno narrative, a controversial account of 14th-century Venetian voyages to the North Atlantic, alongside a comprehensive catalog of 'Fortean' events compiled by Charles Fort.

The Zeno Story: Fact or Fiction?

The core of this issue is dedicated to dissecting the Zeno narrative, a subject that has fascinated and divided historians for centuries. The magazine meticulously lists and reviews numerous historical sources, dating from the 17th century to the late 19th century, that have commented on the Zeni brothers' voyages. These sources include works by scholars such as Hornius, Riccioli, Torfaeus, Forster, Tiraboschi, and many others.

The reviews highlight the varying opinions on the Zeni story. Some authors, like J. H. Bredsdorf and Paul Gaffarel, are presented as favorable, believing the account to be authentic and identifying lands like Frisland, Estotiland, and Drogio with locations in North America. Others, such as J. F. Stuven and Conway Robinson, are unfavorable, dismissing the story as a claim or a fraud. The geographical interpretations are diverse, with Estotiland being equated with Ireland, Newfoundland, or Nova Scotia, and Frisland with the Feroe Islands or Shetland.

The issue also discusses other early claims of discovery, including those attributed to Martin Behaim and a 'Cousin of Dieppe'. Behaim's claim, based on a globe and a passage in Schedel's 'Nuremberg Chronicle', is extensively debated, with many authors finding it to be a misinterpretation or interpolation. The voyages of 'Cousin of Dieppe' are also examined, with questions raised about whether he discovered America before Columbus and if he shared his knowledge.

Charles Fort's Notes: A Chronicle of Anomalous Phenomena

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to transcribing Charles Fort's meticulously compiled notes on anomalous events. These notes, presented chronologically from the early 19th century, cover a wide range of phenomena, including meteors, auroras, earthquakes, unusual weather events (like red rain and dense fog), and strange biological occurrences (such as swarms of insects and ladybirds).

The entries are brief, often citing the source of the information, such as the 'British Association Reports' (BA), 'American Journal of Science' (A J Sci), or various newspapers and journals. Each entry typically includes a date, a brief description of the event, and sometimes a location. The sheer volume and variety of these recorded events underscore Fort's dedication to documenting the unexplained.

• Examples of entries include:
• March 19, 1848: An 'ascending thing like a fire balloon brilliant' observed.
• May 11, 1848: A shower of flies that darkened the sky over a large area.
• June 8, 1848: A submarine quake and tidal wave off the coast of Peru.
• July 10, 1848: A remarkable red glow at sunset in Senegal.
• October 8, 1848: A violent earthquake in Chile.
• December 8, 1848: A meteorite event described with a sudden darkness, explosion, and concussion, though later reported as false.

These entries, drawn from Fort's extensive archival work, provide a fascinating glimpse into the types of phenomena he collected and considered worthy of investigation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's recurring themes revolve around historical mysteries, the nature of evidence, and the cataloging of anomalous phenomena. The editorial stance, as reflected in the presentation of the Zeno story, is one of critical examination, presenting multiple viewpoints and allowing the reader to weigh the evidence. The inclusion of Charles Fort's notes reinforces the magazine's commitment to exploring the unexplained and challenging conventional narratives. The overall tone suggests a deep interest in historical accounts that lie outside mainstream understanding, whether they pertain to early exploration or unusual natural events.