2008 Ripper Conference, Knoxville, TN

[Ash]

Add your own captions.

[Monty]

Is he hailing a cab?

[John Bennett]

Alan seems to be uploading these photos so quick, I bet Phil hasn't even finished his talk yet!

[Celesta]

Welcome to Jewal and Nijoli aka Heather.

Best,

Cel

[Bailey]

Jeez, has Cornwell seen these? If she thought Sickert had evil eyes, Phil's gonna really mess with her head

Go Hutchy, knock 'em dead. Then finish up with a Silly Walk.

B.

[Ash]

And here's Mr Fido!

[The Grave Maurice]

Tell him to speak up.

[Jewal]

Thank you Celesta!

So glad I read about the conference on this very site! Feel very lucky to be here.

[Simon Wood]

Hi All,

Is it the photographs, or has electricity not yet come to Knoxville?

Regards,

Simon

[George Hutchinson]

Alan, I hate you. Two of the worst photos of me I've ever seen. You git. All wonderfulness I heaped on you for doing the powerpoint has been rescinded. I want my flash stick back and you ain't having my laser pen. Big jobbie.

Yeah, it went well. I'm debating whether or not to let you all know now what it was that I spoke about for most of the talk (giving a talk on The Whitby Collection was about 40 minutes, the second bit was about an hour).

Shall I tell you? Shall I?

I have a photo. A very, very, very special photo.

PHILIP

[Monty]

Prey, do tell.

Philip,

Do you mean to tell us that a particular photo exsists?

I suspect a thread is in order.

Monty

[George Hutchinson]

I suspect a thread might indeed be in order, Mr Bell. Just wondering when and where to do it and to prepare myself for all those people demanding to see it who are going to have to wait until I'm ready, and then put up with all their comments about how it's not really 'mine' to keep to myself and how I 'owe it to the Ripper community' to share it.

I shall pre-empt those comments : I've shared everything I get. This is one for me.

I'll slowly lift the lid off the box by saying this image is one of the biggest finds in Ripperology since the return of the Mortuary Photographs to Scotland Yard in 1987. It is, firstly, the first known tourist photograph of a Ripper murder site.

Secondly is more exciting. But I shall enjoy playing the teasing game.

It is so odd now discussing this after going spare trying to keep it from becoming public for almost a year!

PHILIP

[Monty]

Philip,

I know how long youve waited, so saviouring the moment is understandable. Besides, Im one of the lucky few.

However, Im dying to know the reaction. Gasps? Yelps? was it a slow comprehension?

Oh do tell Mr Hutchinson.

[Celesta]

Hi Philip,

I had a feeling. It sounds like it's going to have to be a golden thread.

I'm glad your talk went well.

Bestest,

Cel

[Lyn]

Add your own captions.

It took a while for Philip Hutchinson to calm down after US Customs had confiscated his shorts and cap because he'd broken the "Only US Citizens wear such silly outfits" rule. (Thank goodness for podiums!)

I did try to leave a message with Kelly at the hotel wishing you lot a wonderful weekend, but sore throat made it tricky, thus the message on the machine was probably unintelligible. (Kelly, that incoherent message was from me.)

Sounds like you're all having a wonderful time!