Recent renovations at the 77 year old Edinburgh College of Parapsychology have unearthed a treasure trove of paranormal paraphernalia and documentation. Among the items found was a “dungeon tube” (a device said to relieve pain through the use of music), several recordings of medium sessions, and a Victorian era ouija board that potentially was used by Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. While the board’s exact age has yet to be determined, the fact that its wheels are made of bone and not of wood or plastic lends credence to the board’s Victorian heritage. Unfortunately, there is no direct evidence linking the Sir Conan Doyle (who’s own interest in spiritualism began in 1906 after a series of deaths in his family) to the ouija board and it is unlikely any will be discovered. Prior to the college’s founding in 1932 (two years after Sir Conan Doyle’s death) spiritualists in Edinburgh often practiced in secret for fear of persecution.

Even without a link to the famous author, the board is still an amazing find. Manufactured in Manchester and labeled as a “Telepathic Spirit Communicator”, the board is quite possibly one of the earliest example of such a device used by early spiritualists in attempts to communicate with the departed.

Victorian ouija board discovered in Parapsychology college clearout
Victorian ouija board found in college’s secret passageway [via Phantoms & Monsters]