1955 11 00 Sir Gershtein scan

Magazine Overview

This issue of SIR! Magazine, dated November 2, 1950, is titled 'Utopia of Obscenity' and presents itself as 'A Magazine For Males'. The cover features a prominent headline about 'Confidential's $10,000,000 Sex Headache' and smaller teasers for articles on 'Berlin Strip Fans', 'Trudy Wayne - Body Deluxe', 'Sues Scandal Sheet', and 'Indians and Grizzlies'. The overall tone suggests a focus on sensationalism, scandal, and potentially controversial topics.

Letters to the Editor

The 'Dear SIR!' section includes several letters from readers. Allen Chalmers from Covington, Ky., praises an article about a millionaire genius, Ivan Jerome, for its shocking exposé and suggests that excessive wealth is dangerous and should be limited to prevent crime. Ernest Wiley from Santa Barbara, Calif., echoes this sentiment, comparing the corrupting influence of wealthy movie actors to Jerome and stating that money allows people to violate laws. Lou Reggi from Brooklyn, N.Y., attributes the worst crimes to people with too much money or too little work.

A 'Saucer Complaint' from Norman G. Markham of Denver, Colo., critiques the magazine's handling of UFO topics. He contrasts the views of A. Smith-Henderson, whom he calls a 'fuddy-duddy', with Robert J. Gribble, a 'wild-eyed Believer'. Markham believes SIR! is not the right venue for serious UFO investigation and that the articles published are 'drivel'. He mentions his own submitted article, 'Alien Invasion', which he is glad was not published due to the company it would have kept. He is currently writing letters to Tiffany Thayer of the Fortean Society, detailing a pattern of strange events he believes points to 'alien operations'.

Theodore E. Wummer from Darien, Conn., disputes the magazine's article 'Is Telepathy the Cause of Insanity?', arguing that Dr. Rhine's experiments do not prove telepathy and that asserting it as a cause of insanity is illogical. He shares a personal anecdote about his mother's 'occult perceptions' before her breakdown, including knowing about his brother's injury before the factory called.

Did The Ancients Know The Secret Of Flying Saucers?

This feature article by Warren E. Siegmond explores the hypothesis that ancient civilizations possessed knowledge of flying saucers. It posits that recent investigations by astronomers, astrophysicists, and archaeologists suggest that the ancients of Egypt and Atlantis may have known the secret of flying saucers, which possibly paid periodic visits to early civilizations. The article suggests that these 'saucer people' might be remnants of a lost civilization from Earth, rather than visitors from the future. It highlights the scientific race for space conquest and suggests that understanding the past could be key to future space travel.

The article discusses findings at Stonehenge in England, noting its disk-like shape formed by ditch and man-made hills, and compares it to descriptions of flying saucers. It mentions the 'Death Ship' in Egypt, where hieroglyphics resembling flying saucers were discovered, and reports that excavations were halted due to global interest in this 'Saucer Story In Stone'. These hieroglyphics are described as unusual and potentially depicting a saucer's interaction with Egyptian royalty.

Further evidence is presented from Mayan temples, with their massive blocks suggesting advanced construction methods like levitation. The article also references ancient writings and legends from the West Indies and Yucatan, describing people who could fly using 'music' from gold plates. It notes that many unexplained ancient artifacts, such as 'Solar Disks', are disk-shaped.

Ancient Indian records mention a 'horrible fire weapon', and South American writings describe a 'super fire'. American Indian history is linked to 'space craft'. The article emphasizes the consistency of these reports from diverse cultures and suggests that ancient peoples possessed knowledge of gravitation and space flight, possibly mastered by the ancient Pharaohs.

It details theories about how ancient people moved massive stones, such as the 70-ton roofing stones of the great pyramid, 600 miles across the desert with incredible precision. This is contrasted with the modern view that millions of slaves were used. The article references legends of ancient times where 'everything was so light' and people 'floated about in the air'.

It discusses ancient writings that claim a super-civilized race lived on Earth and accomplished miracles before disappearing around 1500 BC. A specific account from the time of Thutmose III (1504-1450 BC) describes a 'noiseless ball of fire' dropping from the sky, giving off a foul odor and terrifying people. These 'Fire Circles' were approximately 172 feet long and wide, and their appearances were noted as early as 1500 BC.

The article concludes by stating that the knowledge of levitation and cosmic gravity control was lost, but ancient Pharaohs had mastered it. It suggests that by studying ancient parchments and museum records, scientists might unlock the secrets of interplanetary flight and the flying saucer.

Other Content

There is an advertisement for 'YOURS ALONE' books offering 'ancient love magic and modern techniques' for enhancing male personality. Another advertisement is for 'ILLUSTRATED COMIC BOOKLETS' for adults. A small comic strip features 'SPARKY' advising 'Don't Smoke in Bed!'. There is also a travel advertisement for LaSalle Extension University, offering accounting courses.

A section titled 'Identical Twins' (continued from page 33) discusses the similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins, mentioning Siamese twins Millie and Christine, and the Shah of Persia and his sister Princess Ashraf. It notes that twins occur in about 1 in 70 births and that identical twins often share a mysterious bond, sometimes reading each other's minds.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to cater to a male audience interested in sensational topics, including scandal, sex, and mysteries. The editorial stance, as suggested by the cover and letters, is to explore controversial and unusual subjects, often presenting them in a provocative manner. There is a clear interest in the unexplained, particularly UFOs and ancient mysteries, though the handling of these topics is critiqued by some readers as being sensationalized rather than scientifically rigorous. The magazine also touches upon social commentary, particularly regarding wealth and its perceived corrupting influence.