This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0j4xdww4wlo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Friend believed Cottingley Fairies hoax photos were real Friend believed Cottingley Fairies hoax photos were real
(about 16 hours later)
Frances Griffiths was pictured with what appeared to be a band of fairies, in images that shocked the worldFrances Griffiths was pictured with what appeared to be a band of fairies, in images that shocked the world
A woman who "spent her whole life believing in fairies" was horrified to learn the world-famous Cottingley Fairies photographs were a hoax, her son has revealed.A woman who "spent her whole life believing in fairies" was horrified to learn the world-famous Cottingley Fairies photographs were a hoax, her son has revealed.
The images, taken by Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright between 1917 and 1920, apparently depicted the cousins surrounded by magical creatures in a garden in Bradford.The images, taken by Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright between 1917 and 1920, apparently depicted the cousins surrounded by magical creatures in a garden in Bradford.
David Whittaker said his mother Mary Anderson had been given a set by best friend Frances and had been convinced they were real but wanted to throw them out when Elsie confessed they were fake in 1983.David Whittaker said his mother Mary Anderson had been given a set by best friend Frances and had been convinced they were real but wanted to throw them out when Elsie confessed they were fake in 1983.
However, he saved them and two of the five photos are due to go under the hammer in Louth, Lincolnshire.However, he saved them and two of the five photos are due to go under the hammer in Louth, Lincolnshire.
A group of three photographs and archive of material related to the fairy hoax, sold as a single lot, is expected to make well into four figuresA group of three photographs and archive of material related to the fairy hoax, sold as a single lot, is expected to make well into four figures
The pictures became a worldwide sensation when Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle published them in 1920, believing them to be authentic.The pictures became a worldwide sensation when Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle published them in 1920, believing them to be authentic.
They had been examined by experts and one of them was commissioned by Bradford's Theosophical Society to produce a number of prints to be sold.They had been examined by experts and one of them was commissioned by Bradford's Theosophical Society to produce a number of prints to be sold.
Frances passed a set to Mary, who "totally believed" they were genuine, said Mr Whittaker, adding that she showed them to neighbours and family members.Frances passed a set to Mary, who "totally believed" they were genuine, said Mr Whittaker, adding that she showed them to neighbours and family members.
When Elsie revealed the fairies had been made out of paper cut-outs and hatpins, Mary "felt so let down", her son said.When Elsie revealed the fairies had been made out of paper cut-outs and hatpins, Mary "felt so let down", her son said.
"She brought out the photographs and the archive of material she had collected over the years and told us to throw it all out," said the 85-year-old, who lives in Saltfleetby."She brought out the photographs and the archive of material she had collected over the years and told us to throw it all out," said the 85-year-old, who lives in Saltfleetby.
"It was only because my wife intervened and offered to take care of it in case she changed her mind that it did not end up in the dustbin."It was only because my wife intervened and offered to take care of it in case she changed her mind that it did not end up in the dustbin.
"Mother never did change her mind.""Mother never did change her mind."
Auctioneer James Laverack said John Taylors Auction Rooms was "delighted" to take the photos to auctionAuctioneer James Laverack said John Taylors Auction Rooms was "delighted" to take the photos to auction
Though Elsie maintained none of the images were real, Frances insisted one was genuine and that the pair had seen fairies by the beck in Cottingley.Though Elsie maintained none of the images were real, Frances insisted one was genuine and that the pair had seen fairies by the beck in Cottingley.
Two photographs in original wallets will go to auction on Tuesday, as well as a photo of Mary and Frances on an outing in the early 1920s.Two photographs in original wallets will go to auction on Tuesday, as well as a photo of Mary and Frances on an outing in the early 1920s.
An archive of material will also go under the hammer.An archive of material will also go under the hammer.
"We're not actually concerned about value, we are more concerned it will go to someone who will look after and respect them," Mr Whittaker said."We're not actually concerned about value, we are more concerned it will go to someone who will look after and respect them," Mr Whittaker said.
A photo of Mary Anderson with Frances Griffiths on an outing in the early 1920s will be part of the auctionA photo of Mary Anderson with Frances Griffiths on an outing in the early 1920s will be part of the auction
Auctioneer James Laverack, from John Taylors Auction Rooms, said the "very rare" photos were "the first high quality prints to be made of the glass plate negatives."Auctioneer James Laverack, from John Taylors Auction Rooms, said the "very rare" photos were "the first high quality prints to be made of the glass plate negatives."
He said the photographs were "wonderful things to have in the auction" and that they were "delighted" to take them to auction.He said the photographs were "wonderful things to have in the auction" and that they were "delighted" to take them to auction.
One of the lots is expected to fetch more than four figures, the auction house added. The single lot - which includes the two fairy photographs, the picture of the outing and the archive of material - was expected to make well into four figures, the auction house added.
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devicesDownload the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices