Pushkin

In May 1920, I heard that alleged photographs of fairies had been taken.

These are the words of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.

In a book titled The Coming of the Fairies, unlike the sign of four or the hound of the

basketballs, the coming of the fairies wasn't a work of fiction.

It was deadly serious.

These photographs were in the possession of Edward Gardner, an influential believer in

spiritualism, the idea that the spirits of the dead can communicate with the living.

Spiritualism was all a rage at the time, and if you believed in spirit, it wasn't too

much of a leap to believe in fairies, too.

Where had these photographs come from?

Edward Gardner's sister explained to Conan Doyle.

Edward has gotten to touch with a family in Bradford, where the little girl, Elsie and her

cousin Francis constantly go into the woods and play with the fairies.

Some time ago, Elsie said she wanted to photograph them and begged her father to lend his camera.

For long, he refused, but at last she managed to get the loan of it and one plate.

Off she and Francis went into the woods near a waterfall.

Francis teased them, as they call it, and Elsie stood ready with the camera.

Soon, the three fairies appeared, and one pixie dancing in Francis' aura.

It was a long time before the father would develop the photo, but at least he did.

Until his utter amazement, the four sweet little figures came out beautifully.

The photographs are indeed beautiful.

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