If Astrakhan Man existed, how likely is he to have been Mary Kelly's murderer?

[The Good Michael]

Ruby,

No way.

Mike

[Fisherman]

As an aside, it can be added to the ongoing discussion that there were imitations of the astrakhan lamb´s wool around too in them days, leaving us with a further possibility in this case.
In it´s turn, these imitations point to astrakhan fur being a very popular ingredient in the fashion of these Victorian times. And very popular ingredients reach a very broad segment of the people in a society - not necessarily as a possession of the goods itself, but instead as knowledge about it.
In conclusion, I think it is a fair guess that the texture Hutchinson spoke of was at least a texture that resembled the curly, shiny texture of astrakhan lamb - but it may well have been an imitation for all we know. The reflection that all is not gold that glimmers may have applied very much to "astrakhan man", both in terms of "astrakhan" and gold, and the wealth of the man hinges on Hutchinson´s interpretation rather than on any established knowledge.

The best,
Fisherman

[The Good Michael]

Fish,

Of course we've discussed this before, and faux fur was everywhere in those days much like today. Still, there are many breeds of sheep and several of them have short, curly wool and those pelts would look the same to any street man as Hutchinson undoubtedly was. And I didn't even bring up the brass chain.

Mike

[Chris]

As an aside, it can be added to the ongoing discussion that there were imitations of the astrakhan lamb´s wool around too in them days, leaving us with a further possibility in this case.

So he might only have been Ersatz Astrakhan Man?

[Fisherman]

That he may, Chris!

The best,
Fisherman

[Abby Normal]

So he might only have been Ersatz Astrakhan Man?

Fake Astrakan man was wearing fake Astrakan?

[babybird67]

hmmmm

curioser and curioser... (is that how you spell it...it looks incorrect!)

[Sally]

Curiouser...

.. with an accent? Much as I imagine Astro-Man must have had.

[babybird67]

thanks Sally

i knew it didn't look quite right but am having a pig of a day and really couldn't be bothered to look it up (slap my wrist!)...

And yes, I am imagining him with the same accent now! Loved your Astro-nought joke by the way.

Jen x

[Sally]

And yes, I am imagining him with the same accent now! Loved your Astro-nought joke by the way.

Thanks!

'Come along my deeer, You vill be comvortable......' (turns to audience, winks conspiratorially)

(Astro-Man exits stage right, accompanied by Eliza Doolittle)

He definitely should have his own comic strip.