The Case of the Apported Card

History and Background

In the annals of paranormal phenomena, few cases capture the imagination quite like the story of the apported card. First reported in 1936 by British occultist Harry Price, this case centers around a deck of playing cards seemingly levitated or teleported through space and time. The incident occurred at Bletchley Park, an historic house in Buckinghamshire, England, which was then being used as the headquarters for Britain’s code-breaking operations during World War II.

Key Events or Sightings

#### The Incident: 24 September 1936

On September 24, 1936, at around 5:00 PM, three people were present in Room 17 of Bletchley Park: Mrs. Jane Hennell, a housekeeper; Mrs. Maud Blouet, the secretary; and Mr. J.W. Hallam, who was working on intelligence reports.

Mrs. Hennell was reading a book on the couch when she noticed a playing card—specifically, a ten of diamonds—lying on her forehead. She quickly removed it, and upon inspection, found that one side of the card had been cut off, while the other remained intact. The card appeared to have been slid under her hairline with precision.

The trio was initially puzzled by this occurrence, but Mrs. Hennell’s suspicions were soon heightened when she noticed another card—this time a six of hearts—lying on Mr. Hallam’s nose.

Witness Accounts or Evidence

#### Detailed Descriptions

Mrs. Hennell described the incident in detail to Harry Price, who later published his findings in The Casebook of Maurice Baring. She recounted how the cards appeared to have been carefully placed on their respective bodies, suggesting a deliberate and precise act rather than an accidental one.

#### Investigation Reports

Harry Price, a renowned parapsychologist and author, was intrigued by this phenomenon. He documented the incident thoroughly, including taking photographs and interviews with all three witnesses. Price noted that the cards seemed to have been carefully placed on their bodies without any physical contact between the individuals involved.

Investigations or Research

#### Harry Price’s Involvement

Harry Price, known for his investigations into paranormal phenomena, took a particular interest in this case. He conducted extensive research and interviews with the witnesses and collected various pieces of evidence, including photographs that showed no signs of tampering or manipulation.

Price was particularly interested in the idea that these cards had been transported through space or time, rather than being physically moved by any means. His hypothesis was based on the precision of their placement and the lack of physical evidence to suggest how they might have gotten there.

#### Scientific Scrutiny

Several other paranormal researchers, including Joseph Rhine and his colleagues at Duke University, examined the case as well. They were interested in whether the incident could be explained by psychokinetic (PK) phenomena or if it had some other rational explanation.

The Current Status / Ongoing Mystery

The case of the apported card remains one of the most intriguing unsolved mysteries in paranormal research. While numerous theories have been proposed, none have definitively explained how these cards appeared on the bodies of Mrs. Hennell and Mr. Hallam.

#### Contemporary Parapsychologists’ Perspectives

Modern parapsychologists continue to debate whether this incident can be attributed to PK or if it points towards a more complex form of paranormal activity. Some argue that the precision and timing suggest an intelligent force at work, while others maintain that natural explanations have not been ruled out entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions (5 Q&A pairs)

Q: How did Harry Price come to investigate this case?

A: In 1936, Harry Price was commissioned by a group of skeptics to debunk various paranormal claims. The apported card incident at Bletchley Park caught his attention due to its unusual and precise nature.

Q: Were there any other similar cases reported around the same time period?

A: While there are reports of similar phenomena, such as cards appearing in unexpected locations or being moved without visible means, the apported card case at Bletchley Park stands out for its precision and the credibility of the witnesses involved.

Q: What did Joseph Rhine find when he investigated this case?

A: Rhine’s investigation focused on the psychological aspects of the incident. He conducted experiments to test if PK could be responsible, but no definitive evidence was found that directly linked these events to paranormal activity.

Q: How has technology advanced our understanding of such cases since 1936?

A: Modern technology can provide more detailed analyses of physical evidence and improve the accuracy of measurements. However, the precise nature of this incident—where no physical contact is required—remains challenging for current scientific methods to explain.

Q: What does the case of the apported card tell us about PK phenomena?

A: This case highlights the potential for PK to manifest in highly specific and seemingly impossible ways. It challenges our understanding of what constitutes a paranormal event and underscores the need for further research into the mechanisms behind such phenomena.