Discovery of an ``Eclipse'' in the WC9d-Type Wolf-Rayet Star, WR 53

The WC9d-type Wolf-Rayet star WR 53 was observed visually entering into an "eclipse" with a depth of 1.2 magnitude. Subsequent visual and CCD data showed a steady linear rise over 10 days to recover and return to its normal brightness level. This is the first-ever recorded "eclipse" of this star which has previously shown no photometric variability.