FBI Tapped UFO Researcher During 1963 Investigation

A 1963 FBI memo recently obtained from the National Archives and Records Administration indicates UFO writer Ivan Sanderson was tapped by the Bureau during its investigation of Robert Theodore Stark. Sanderson, a former British intelligence officer and high-profile UFO researcher of his era, was documented in a 1958 FBI memo as having initiated contact with the Bureau about what were described as subversive activities at meetings of the New York Saucer Information Bureau (NYSIB), as previously reported by EFR. Sanderson and Swedish-born New York writer and editor Hans Santesson were subsequently interviewed by FBI, informing it the meetings were held under the guise of information concerning UFOs but were in reality being used to promote the Communist Party. Sanderson and Santesson expressed willingness to cooperate with the FBI in furnishing information in the future, according to the 1958 memo. The Bureau apparently took Sanderson up on the offer.

A series of follow-up FOIA requests submitted by Expanding Frontiers Research resulted in obtaining the 1963 memo, Subject: Robert Theodore Stark. A clipping on Santesson's work that is archived by FBI was also obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. More material is expected to be received and posted as this ongoing FOIA investigation continues.

Ivan Sanderson and Hans Santesson

The 1963 FBI memo documents Robert Theodore Stark was employed in 1957 by the Bogen-Presto Division of the Siegler Corporation at a location in Paramus, NJ. Further research indicates Russian immigrant David Bogen ran successful electronics and audio companies in New York before selling them in the 1950s. Siegler was among the purchasers in 1957. FBI interest in Stark is not clarified in the memo.

For reasons that are not yet entirely clear, the memo contains implications to the NYSIB, seemingly leading to Sanderson, who is apparently shown a photo of Stark. The man looked familiar, Sanderson apparently indicated, but he could not place him. Suggesting the NYSIB was indeed a topic at hand, FBI documented Sanderson then advised FBI of names of people who may have been more currently active with the NYSIB than he, as shown in the image below, and therefore may have been more helpful in recognizing the man in the photo and furnishing related information:

From a 1963 FBI memo, Subject: John Theodore Stark

Some readers will recognize the reference to longtime NICAP staple and UFO community member Isabel (spelled Isabelle by FBI) Davis. This could be considered interesting for reasons including previous FOIA requests submitted to the Bureau on Ms. Davis did not produce responsive records. A reason for the oversight may be due to the subject of the memo and/or file is Mr. Stark, combined with the fact the memo contains numerous references to various people and organizations. All of the referenced entities are probably not entered in the file subject and metadata, which could result in unsuccessful searches conducted by FBI FOIA personnel. A standard search may simply not be able to determine the references are in the text.

Further research suggests Isabel Davis formed a group called Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York, or CSINY, in 1954 with Ted Bloecher and the also-referenced Lex Mebane. The group reportedly published a CSI newsletter from 1956-1959 under Mebane's editorial direction.

Another FOIA request stemming from the 1958 FBI memo resulted in obtaining part of a clipping archived by FBI. As pictured right, the Bureau came into possession of part of an article describing Hans Santesson's work as a science fiction editor while also delving into Muslim ideologies and his interpretations of what the movement meant for the United States.

Santesson's work also included composing a review of John McCoy's “They Shall Be Gathered Together,” a 1957 dive into UFOs, extraterrestrial contact and the coming of a “New Age.” Interestingly, the pamphlet was directly referenced by Dr. Leon Davidson in his 1960 letter to FBI Dir. J. Edgar Hoover as an example of hidden agendas masquerading as New Age movements and UFO interest, as recently covered by EFR.

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