An Account by MRS. MARGARET ELLINOR
(A description of three remarkable recognised likenesses obtained by a lady photographer.)
I am anxious to help to prove the truth of psychic photography, and with this end in view I am sending herewith three photographs taken by Mr. Hope, of Crewe, under test conditions, which contain recognised “extras.” [Not reproduced.—Ed.]
Might I say that in the first place I was extremely sceptical, having some knowledge of photography. Even after myself obtaining a “psychograph” I was still in a doubtful frame of mind, and attended the British College of Psychic Science to gather further evidence.
In this way I came into contact with Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton, and by and by arranged through the agency of Mrs. McKenzie, of the College, to have a test sitting with Mr. Hope. The results of this sitting, quite apart from any subsequent sittings, provided what to my mind were conclusive proofs of Mr. Hope’s gifts and absolute integrity.
Enclosed are four photographs marked. All these were taken under the most stringent test conditions. I took with me some plates which had previously been marked secretly by a second party (a sceptic). These plates were then put into the slide by Mr. Hope in my presence; the slide was never for a moment out of my observation and I subsequently followed every manipulation.
In the case of the photographs (1) and (2) the extra is of my father. An old original photograph of my father is enclosed. It will be observed that the extras give a view from a different angle to the original in each case. My father was unknown to Mr. Hope—there were no photographs of my father available to Mr. Hope—my father passed over when I was nine years of age.
In photograph (3) the extra is of my father-in-law, an original of whom is enclosed. My husband’s father has been passed over seven years, and no photograph of him could be available to Mr. Hope.
Photograph (4) was taken at another sitting at my home. It is especially interesting inasmuch as the extra thereon was unrecognised at the time. After a lapse of time, through incidents I need not explain, I obtained a clue to the identity of the “extra.” Finally I was able to ascertain that the “extra” was one of my girlhood’s friends who has now been passed on many years. I was able to secure an old original photograph, which is enclosed.
Having been a sceptic myself, I can sympathise with those who find it difficult to credit these puzzling phenomena. At the same time, I suggest that Mr. Hope is entitled to the sympathetic treatment and fair dealing that should be accorded to anyone who brings forward evidence in support of the super-physical.
(Signed) Margaret Ellinor.
77, Atlantic Road, Brixton, S.W. 9.
From SAMUEL MADDOCKS, ESQ., HON. SECRETARY OF THE SHEFFIELD AND DISTRICT SOCIETY FOR PSYCHICAL RESEARCH
(The psychic effect secured by Mr. Maddocks on the occasion of the third sitting described hereunder is shown by fig. 22. A normal photograph of the late Mrs. Maddocks is given for comparison [fig. 23].)
I am absolutely convinced that Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton are transparently honest and honourable, most reverent in their Circle meetings, and their only desire is to give comfort and consolation to those who have lost a loved one. To impute fraud or trickery to them wounded me to the quick.
After several months’ waiting I obtained three sittings (with three extras) as follows:
1st Sitting.—To my great surprise the “extra” was not my first wife, but the following message:
‘Kind friends, we are glad to meet you and for the benefit of your friend of the Psychic Research Society we are giving this message, so that he may understand that, given the right conditions, these works can be done, and we ask you for our dear medium’s sake, to speak of it as you find it. God bless you.’
2nd Sitting.—This “extra” was quite unknown to me, but on reaching home (Sheffield) my second wife (clairvoyant) exclaimed, “Why, that’s the same face I’ve seen in our bedroom nearly every night.”
3rd Sitting.—The “extra” was my first wife at last! I recognised it instantly, also relatives and friends, as a very good picture of what she looked like at the end of twenty months’ agony from cancer. All her teeth were extracted during her illness on the advice of a London physician, and that accounts for the sunken appearance of the mouth. (See Figure 22.)
The normal photo was taken several years previously. (See Figure 23.)
(Signed) Samuel Maddocks.
Supt. Royal Blind School, Broomhill, Sheffield.