Photo: Public Domain
Two rather unique copies of the famed Cottingley Fairy photos that caused a sensation in England over a century ago are reportedly set to be sold at auction this week. The 1917 case, considered one of history's greatest photographic hoaxes, saw cousins Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths claim to be in contact with the elemental beings and that they had the pictures to prove it. The wondrous photos were the subject of considerable debate at the time, with many people, including legendary Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, believing they were genuine. It was not until 1983 that the cousins admitted to having concocted the clever hoax and keeping quiet about it after it had grown to such epic proportions.
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