Lantern - No 20

Magazine Overview

LANTERN, Number 20, Winter 1977. This issue signifies a positive development for the magazine, as increasing sales and subscriptions have allowed for a return to litho printing for photographs, a move intended to improve the publication's quality. The editor, Ivan Bunn, expresses hope that if sales continue to rise, the magazine might return to its original litho format by the end of 1978. The magazine is published by the Borderline Science Investigation Group and edited by Ivan Bunn from Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Introduction

Ivan Bunn, the editor, opens the issue by acknowledging the transition from duplicated to litho printing for photographs, attributing this improvement to rising sales. He emphasizes that further enhancements depend on continued sales and encourages readers to subscribe and spread the word about LANTERN. Bunn clarifies that the magazine is not intended as a commercial venture but that increased income will lead to an improved publication. He notes that Christmastide is a traditional time for ghost stories and announces a 'Victorian Ghost Story' featured on page 10. Other articles include Michael Burgess's account of a trip to Suffolk and part 3 of 'Black Shuck,' which has been extended due to space constraints. The editorial team extends holiday wishes to all readers for their support over the past year.

Book Review: PHENOMENA - A BOOK OF WONDERS

This section reviews 'Phenomena: A Book of Wonders' by John Michell and Robert J.M. Rickard, published by Thames & Hudson. The reviewer, IAWB (likely Ivan Bunn), praises the book as a comprehensive collection of mysteries, suitable for students of forteana and general readers interested in strange phenomena. The book covers a wide range of topics, including showers of frogs, werewolves, electric people, teleportations, and invisible assailants, organized into 58 broad categories with numerous illustrations. The reviewer highlights that the book brings together perhaps the biggest collection of mysteries ever. The hardback edition costs £3.95, and the paperback is £1.95.

Article: BLACK SHUCK by Ivan Bunn

This extensive article presents a glossary of locations in East Anglia where phantom black dogs, known as 'Black Shuck,' have been reported. Ivan Bunn explains that the list is not exhaustive and details are kept to a minimum due to space limitations. Reports are categorized as first-hand (marked with a '+'), second-hand (with the last known date), or legend (marked 'L'). The list includes numerous locations across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, with associated dates or centuries of reported sightings. The article notes that the full glossary could not be included due to space and will be continued in the next issue.

Article: A SUFFOLK ODYSSEY by M.W. Burgess

Michael Burgess recounts his personal journey through Suffolk, searching for puddingstones and exploring local folklore. He describes his adventures, including getting lost, photographing various sites, and encountering legends. Key locations visited include Brightwell Heath, Dobbs Corner, East Bergholt, Nayland Court Knoll, Whitestreet Green, Kersey, and Thurston. Burgess critically examines Dr. Rudge's 'Conglomerate or Puddingstone Track,' pointing out inaccuracies and what he considers 'bloomers' in Rudge's research. He describes the characteristics of puddingstones and notes when stones were found, missing, or misrepresented. The article also touches upon local legends, such as the haunting of Copdock Hall and the ghost of Lord Dacre at Nuns Bridges.

Article: AN ANTIQUARY'S GHOST STORY

This section re-publishes a ghost story that first appeared in a letter to the 'Athenaeum' in 1880 and was later included in Dr. Augustus Jessop's book 'Frivola!' (1896). The narrative details an experience Jessop had on October 10, 1879, while staying at Mannington Hall, the home of Lord Orford. While working late in the library, Jessop witnesses a spectral figure, described as a large man with reddish-brown hair, whose hand appears near his elbow. Jessop notes the figure's clothing and the conspicuous blue veins on its hands. He describes a feeling of curiosity rather than fear and attempts to interact with the figure, which vanishes when he reaches for a book. The figure reappears briefly before disappearing again. Jessop concludes by stating that the account is a simple narrative of fact, leaving interpretation to the reader.

Other Items

• 'MORE GLEANINGS FROM THE LOWESTOFT JOURNAL': This section presents three brief reports from the Lowestoft Journal dated April 27, 1889, October 6, 1888, and July 20, 1889. These include a report on a homing pigeon's return, a 'mysterious visitor' who made threats, and the sighting of a waterspout.
• 'THE UFO THAT WASN'T!': This short piece clarifies a previous report in LANTERN 19 about an unidentified flying object sighting. It explains that the object observed was actually a kite being flown at night and illuminated by boys shining a torch on it.
• 'BACK NUMBERS': A notice informing readers that back numbers of LANTERN are available and encouraging them to send in articles and press cuttings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of LANTERN are fortean phenomena, folklore, and unexplained occurrences, particularly those related to East Anglia. The magazine maintains a stance of documenting and exploring these subjects, encouraging reader participation through submissions and subscriptions. The editorial approach is to present factual accounts, personal experiences, and extensive research, such as the 'Black Shuck' glossary, while also acknowledging the need for space and the potential for further exploration in future issues. The editor, Ivan Bunn, is dedicated to improving the magazine's quality and content.

This document, titled 'EXCHANGE MAGAZINES' and identified by page number 230, is a listing of various periodicals and journals focused on paranormal, fringe, and esoteric subjects. It appears to be a resource for individuals interested in subscribing to or learning about publications related to ufology, parapsychology, forteana, earth mysteries, and related fields.

Listed Publications and Their Focus

Parapsychology and Religion

• The Christian Parapsychologist: Described as a professionally produced magazine dealing with psychic phenomena from a religious viewpoint. It is a quarterly publication with an annual UK subscription of £1.50.

Anomaly and Fortean Phenomena

• Anomaly Research Bulletin: A bi-monthly, duplicated publication focusing on fortean phenomena, produced by the Michigan Anomaly Research Group. The annual UK subscription is £1.50.
• The Fortean Times: A quarterly magazine covering strange phenomena, curiosities, and mysteries. It has an annual subscription of £3.00, with single copies at 75p. It is edited by RJM Rickard.
• Res Bureaux Bulletin: A tri-weekly duplicated bulletin covering fortean and allied phenomena, with details available from the Res Bureaux in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

UFO Research and Phenomena

• UFO Research Review: A quarterly, litho'd publication with a scientific approach to UFO research, produced by the Nottingham UFO Investigation Society (NUFOIS). Single copies cost 25p.
• MUFOB: A quarterly, litho'd, informal journal dedicated to UFOlogy and allied subjects. The annual subscription is £1.25.
• The Journal of the Essex UFO Study Group: A bi-monthly, duplicated journal from the Essex UFO Study Group. The annual subscription is £2.
• PULSAR: A quarterly, duplicated journal from the Preston Ufological & Leyographical Society and Expedition (PULSE). Single copies are 20p.
• Skywatch: A bi-monthly, duplicated publication focusing on UFOs and related phenomena, produced by the Manchester Aerial Phenomena Team (MAPIT). The annual subscription is £2.30.
• Northern UFO News: A monthly newsletter from the Northern UFO Network, featuring UFO reports, news, and commentary. Details are available from Jenny Randles.
• WATSUP Journal: A quarterly journal from the Wessex Association for the Study of Unexplained Phenomena (WATSUP). Single copies are 25p.

Earth Mysteries and Related Topics

• The Ley Hunter: A 'bigmonthly' (likely bi-monthly) publication described as 'The magazine of Earth Mysteries'. The annual subscription for the UK and Europe is £2.70.
• Ancient Skills & Wisdom Revue: A quarterly, duplicated publication reviewing books and magazines on leys, folklore, geomancy, and earth mysteries. The annual subscription is £2.
• Journal of Geomancy: A quarterly, duplicated journal published by the Institute of Geomantic Research. Single copies are 60p, or full membership to IGR is £3.00 per annum.
• Ongar Zodiac: An IGR Occasional Paper by Jim Kimmis, dealing with a terrestrial zodiac centered around Chipping Ongar, Essex. It is duplicated with litho maps and costs 85p plus 15p postage.
• Principles of Prehistoric Sacred Geography: An English translation by Michael Behrend M.A. of Dr. Josef Heinsch's original paper, which was presented at the International Congress of Geography in Amsterdam in 1938. It is duplicated with explanatory maps and costs 50p plus 10p postage.

New Publication Feature

• SPACEQUEST: A new bi-monthly magazine is introduced, covering UFOs, cosmology, astronomy, space travel, CETI, science fiction, science fact, and the mysteries of time and space. It is noted for its highly-professional, glossy, and somewhat commercial format. Single copies are 75p, with an annual UK subscription of £4.50.

Catalogues and Special Reports

• Catalogue of UFO Sightings in Essex for 1976: Compiled by Andy Collins, this catalogue contains reports of 42 cases investigated in the Essex area during 1976. It includes tables with statistics, a chronological list of sightings, conclusions, shapes, colours, and other characteristics. It is available for 85p.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this listing are clearly paranormal phenomena, with a strong emphasis on UFOs, earth mysteries (such as leys and geomancy), and fortean events. The editorial stance appears to be one of providing information and resources for enthusiasts in these fields, facilitating access to specialized publications through subscription details. The inclusion of scientific approaches (UFO Research Review) alongside more informal journals suggests a broad coverage of the subject matter within the paranormal community.