Photographs of the Unknown

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Photographs of the Unknown" presents a collection of paranormal phenomena captured through photography. The magazine features a review of the book of the same title, compiled by Robert Rickard and Richard Kelly, which showcases a wide range of unexplained events.

Key Articles and Features

Photographs of the Unknown (Book Review)

The central feature is a review of the book "Photographs of the Unknown." The book aims to document various paranormal occurrences through photographic evidence. It includes images of ghosts, poltergeists, unusual natural phenomena, psychic events like stigmata and bleeding images, ectoplasm, and thoughtography (the ability to transmit thoughts into pictures on film).

The review highlights a specific photograph of a red car in a London driveway, which reportedly shows the image of an unknown blonde-headed girl in the back seat, despite the car being occupied only by the owner's daughter, Dawn. Authors Rickard and Kelly explain that the book includes a vast array of paranormal subjects, and they invite individuals to submit their own photographs for potential inclusion in a future volume, offering anonymity if desired.

UFO Section

The magazine reproduces three photographs from the UFO section of the book:

• Johannesburg Light (August 8, 1978): An illustration depicts an unexplained light in the sky over Johannesburg, South Africa, captured by Pieter Roos, a worker on a communications tower. He set up his camera for a time exposure and discovered he had caught a UFO.
• Cigar-Shaped Puzzle (January 1964): A photograph is presented as a picture of a crashed UFO in the Andean foothills near Mendoza, Western Argentina. According to rumor, a tight security blanket was thrown around the area after the crash, which involved a craft with a crew of tiny men in luminous uniforms. The article notes that a correspondent for the respected UFO journal FSR obtained a copy of one of the pictures showing the 13ft. craft.
• Alien Body (1950s): A photograph, described as showing the body of a dead pilot of an unidentified flying object, is presented. The incident is said to have occurred near Mexico City in the 1950s. The body was reportedly sent for examination in Germany, but no further information was available.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the exploration of the unknown and the unexplained through photographic evidence. The magazine highlights the existence of phenomena that defy conventional scientific explanation, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of the paranormal. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness and curiosity towards these subjects, providing a platform for documented accounts and photographic evidence of the mysterious.