Mike Covell’s Blogg

A short while ago I picked up a couple of copies of IGLOO BOOKS Jack the Ripper – The Memorabilia Collection. The book, written by Rupert Matthews, and is published by the aforementioned IGLOO BOOKS, 2012. The book, which has document wallets, is very similar to Richard Jones’s Jack the Ripper – The Casebook, (2008, Andre Deutsch or 2010, Sevenoaks) in that it contains several document wallets containing facsimile reproductions of letters etc. Whilst Richard’s book had more in it, in both written word and documents, Rupert’s book is a nice collection of material, photographs and facsimile documents, including a suspect list, letter, police report and map of Whitechapel and Spitalfields with locations pin pointed. The book is also in a nice hard magnetic sleeve which protects the contents.

Rupert’s book currently has the RRP of (UK) £17.99, (US) $35.00, and (Can) $35.00, however, British Ripperologists can pick the book up from ASDA for just £5.00!!!

But that’s not all. IGLOO BOOKS, which has also released similar titles in the range on Elvis, Formula 1, Events that changed the world, and British Steam, has also released a volume entitled Conspiracy Theories. The book, written by Will Bryan, also contains facsimile documents, newspapers, postcards and posters covering a wide range of conspiracies from JFK, to Titanic, Nessie, Crop Circles and other weird and wonderful cases. Among the many cases is that of Jack the Ripper, asking the age old question, “Who was Jack the Ripper?” The topic covers just two pages, one of which is photographs, but arrives at no conclusion, and whilst it names some popular suspects named over the years, it fails to land on one suspect. Despite this, the page is stamped with “Case Closed” on the end of the page.

Will’s book currently has the RRP of (UK) £17.99, (US) $35.00, and (Can) $35.00, however, British Ripperologists/Conspiracy Theorists can pick the book up from ASDA for just £5.00!!!

In 2005 Euan Macpherson released The Trial of Jack the Ripper – The Case of William Bury 1859-1889, with Mainstream Publishing Company.   The book was well written, well researched, and well received by Ripperologists, with many supporting the theory, which was first put forward in 1889.  One thing the book was lacking was an index.  Granted, they are not always important, but for many researchers who love nothing more than quickly picking up a weighty Ripper tome and flicking straight to a quote or reference these indexes are worth their weight in gold. 

Luckily, David A. Green was on hand to help with this, and in 2009 published the second in a series of indexes for Jack the Ripper titles that are missing indexes.  The index was invaluable, and quite rare, with only 50 published.  Being able to slide the index into the back of the original title and use it as a reference tool is fantastic, and the time and effort that has gone into producing them is outstanding, especially as David never asks for payment, and sends them out at his own expense.

2005 also saw the release of the excellent The First Jack the Ripper Victim Photographs, by Robert J. McLaughlin.  Robert is a great researcher, writer and gentleman who I had the pleasure of chatting to on numerous occasions on the Rippercast podcasts set up by Jonathan Menges.   The book, published by Zwerghaus Books, was a very limited edition, with all copies being snapped up, and recent sales of the book reaching four figure sums!  Sadly, Robert’s book also failed to include an index, so David A. Green set to work again. 

Earlier this month David contacted me again, and informed me that the index to Robert’s book was complete, and again very kindly offered to send one to my home.  Again the work that has gone into the index is outstanding, and it is well presented, with cover piece and even an illustration.   Once again only 50 of these were made.

I cannot thank David enough for these, and they certainly cut down time in researching specifics of the case.  I must also thank Rob for sending me a free signed copy of his ultra rare book back in April 2008. 

Thank you gents.