"The Cottingley Fairies" as photographed by the then young Elsie and Frances, was a charming hoax which Geoffrey Crawley debunked in an objective, but sympathetic way.

Crawley was one of my photographic heroes and his FX series of B&W film developers which attempted to improve the over all quality balance of the industry standard D-76 developer were inspirational.
His many articles in the British Journal Of Photography Annuals from the 1960's through to the 1980's are very collectable and enjoyable to read.