The renowned Cottingley Fairies photographs, which at one point delighted viewers with their supposed portrayal of mystical beings, are set to be auctioned off in Louth. These photographs, famously taken between 1917 and 1920 by Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright, were eventually unmasked as fraudulent, causing disappointment among many, including lifelong friend of Griffiths, Mary Anderson. Her son, David Whittaker of Saltfleetby, recalls his mother’s heartbreak upon discovering the truth in 1983, but maintained the photographs at his wife’s request. Now, a pair of these significant photographs, accompanied by a collection of relevant material, are poised to be auctioned at John Taylors Auction House. Auctioneer James Laverack expressed his excitement in showcasing these ‘exceptionally rare’ and ‘remarkable’ lots, anticipating bids well beyond the three-figure mark. It is Whittaker’s aspiration that the triumphant bidder will treasure and acknowledge the historical importance of these photos.
This report has been reworked from its original coverage on www.bbc.com by The Lincoln Post.
