Phenomena of materialisation : a contribution to the investigation of mediumistic teleplastics / by Baron von Schrenck Notzing ; translated by E.E. Fournier d'Albe.

  • Schrenck-Notzing, A. von (Albert), 1862-1929.
Date:
1923
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Phenomena of materialisation : a contribution to the investigation of mediumistic teleplastics / by Baron von Schrenck Notzing ; translated by E.E. Fournier d'Albe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    serious scientific experiments. Participation in the sittings is an impor¬ tant supplement to the reading of the book on Materialisations Phceno- mene. It is easily understood that this book leaves some doubts behind (e.g., as regards the flat, paper-like, folded appearance of some of the images), but as soon as one has seen with one’s own eyes how such materialisations are formed, no further doubt is possible. I myself noted the transparency of a phenomenon by observing through it details of the black dress worn by Eva. In the third sitting I could see the remarkable material called teleplasm for the first time. It appeared in the medium’s lap in the shape of a small luminous sphere, the size of a nut, which grew visibly, disappeared in a few minutes, and then reappeared. 44 This phenomenon took place at 20 inches from my eyes, and we could simultaneously observe the medium’s feet and head. Her hands were motionless, and so were her feet. The control was as exact and perfect as possible. In the sitting of 5th May, after about forty-five minutes, a materialisation, the size of a human head, appeared on the medium’s left breast and shoulder, showing a vague, flat, human profile of a dull white colour. This also appeared to be transparent. The phenomenon suddenly appeared, disappeared, and reappeared. When Mme. Bisson illuminated this face unexpectedly with an electric torch, the medium gave a little cry, and the materialisation immediately dis¬ appeared. During the phenomenon Eva remained quite motionless, only her sighs indicated that she suffered. Her hands were constantly visible from beginning to end. 44 After the doubts which the reading of the book left in my mind,Ihave acquired a definite conviction on the basis of my own observations.” Faral also mentions the favourable impression made upon him by the medium, and concludes : 44 To the detractors of Mme. Bisson, I say, with the fullest conviction, 4 You are on the wrong track.’ I say it without any hope of convincing them, for people do not like to change an opinion once formed. But one must vividly regret that the first serious investigations of materialisation phenomena have been attacked —and with much vehemence and passion—by the very people whose duty it was to receive them with justice and sympathy.” It is not without interest to give a short list of the more important witnesses, drawn from every walk in life, who have taken part in the sittings, since the first publication of the Materialisations Phcenomene. During May and June 1914, thirty-three persons altogether took part in sittings at which the author was present. To these must be added observers from January to May 1914, so that since November 1913 there have been at least fifty or sixty. The witnesses already mentioned—Dr Bourbon (physician), Professor Charles Richet (physiologist), de Fontenay —as well as the authors, de Vesme, Delanne, and Chevreuil, have borne public testimony in favour of the genuineness of the phenomena in special articles and declarations. To these must be added the tests conducted by men of science, such as Professor Boirac (Rector of Dijon University), Professor Claparede (Zoologist of Geneva), Professor Courtier (Director of the Physiological Laboratory at the Sorbonne), Professor Bennett (formerly Professor of Philosophy at Cambridge), Professor Flam- marion (Astronomer, of Paris), and the physicians Dr Potheau and Dr