Okay, Ripperologists, prove it's NOT him :)

[Filby]

The sketch taken at the crime scene before the body was moved does not show anything resembling a shawl

https://www.trevormarriott.co.uk

I don't see the sketch as fully indicative of what she was wearing either.

[chubbs]

I, of course, agree that the whole thing is a fake, but for the sake of accuracy the "table runner" theory was just a throw-away suggestion made by someone who was visiting the Black Museum. It was not an expert opinion but has taken on quite a life of its own.

Debrah Arif has convinced me that, as strange as it may sound, there were fancy dress shawls of this same dimension and general description in the Victorian era.

Post #132 at the link below if you want to see one.


New edition of Russell Edwards, "Naming Jack the Ripper" (2024) - Jack The Ripper Forums - Ripperology For The 21st Century

I don't want to imply that this helps Edwards' claims, but it could, in the end, be a shawl.

Anyway, I believe Edwards has now changed his theory to imply or suggest this was some ceremonial object carried by Aaron Kozminski, so he has side-stepped its non-appearance in the City of London inventory list.

I've looked at numerous photos of poor Victorian women wearing 'shawls'. Some of those 'shawls' could easily have been of the same dimensions as Russell Edwards' tablecloth. Who's to say that a poor 'unfortunate' woman wouldn't use any old bit of cloth she could get her hands on to use as a shawl, for warmth? That said, I'm miles from believing the shawl story.

As for the implication that Mr Ripper Aaron Kosminski went out looking for victims carrying a 9ft long tablecloth that he used for Jewish ceremonial purposes - hmmmmm...

[Patrick Differ]

A dark green chintz skirt with michaelmas daisies and gold Lillie's is not a shawl, and does not look like the garment Russel Edward's shows. It's unfortunate he bid on it and now has to keep recovering his cost.
There is nothing that ties Aaron Kozminski to these murders. Unless it's one episode where he chased his sister or brothers daughter with some hairdresser scissors.

[Trevor Marriott]

I don't see the sketch as fully indicative of what she was wearing either.

Well, there is nothing remotely resembling anything that could be a shawl !!!!!!!!!

https://www.trevormarriott.co.uk

[Filby]

A dark green chintz skirt with michaelmas daisies and gold Lillie's is not a shawl, and does not look like the garment Russel Edward's shows. It's unfortunate he bid on it and now has to keep recovering his cost.
There is nothing that ties Aaron Kozminski to these murders. Unless it's one episode where he chased his sister or brothers daughter with some hairdresser scissors.

Did I also read somewhere that the chintz skirt had flounces? That would also be a deal breaker for the shawl theory.

[Filby]

Well, there is nothing remotely resembling anything that could be a shawl !!!!!!!!!

https://www.trevormarriott.co.uk

Agreed. But my point is the supposed "shawl" could have been used as an underlay garment and not worn in the traditional sense. I'm not a fan of the shawl theory, just supporting the possibility, although highly improbable.

[Patrick Differ]

Hi Filby- yes the flounce statement along with skirt do make it a skirt and not a shawl. Eddowes was short at 5 ft but the chintz with flounce is a specific garment.
The provenance is questionable as is the DNA testing. I suspect Russell Edward's is trying to make money off of it.

[MrTwibbs]

Is there any truth in Scotland Yard’s Black Museum declining to display the scrap they cut from the shawl in the 1990s because they were not convinced of its authenticity?

[rjpalmer]

Is there any truth in Scotland Yard’s Black Museum declining to display the scrap they cut from the shawl in the 1990s because they were not convinced of its authenticity?

Let me reverse the question.

If they thought it was authentic, would they have taken a pair of scissors to it?

[mklhawley]

THE EAST-END MURDERS. MITRE SQUARE VERDICT.
Mr. S.F. Langham resumed the inquiry on Thursday at the Golden-lane mortuary, Barbican, respecting the death of Catherine Eddowes…
Joseph Lawende deposed: I live at 45, Norfolk-road, Dalston, and am a commercial traveler. On the night of the 29th September I was at the Imperial club, in the company of Mr. Joseph Levy and Mr. Harry Harris. It was raining, and we could not leave the premises. We were sitting in the club chatting…
Mr. Joseph Hyam Levy, butcher, of 1, Hutcheson-street, Aldgate, deposed: I was at the Imperial club on the night in question with the last witness. We left about three or four minutes past the half-hour (half-past one)…
Lloyd’s Weekly, Sunday, October 14, 1888

Dr. Louhelainen himself stated that the blue indigo dye on the shawl was water soluble and would streak. Russell Edwards claimed Kosminski brought the shawl with him to the murder, meaning he had it outdoors. It was raining at that very time, yet there is no evidence of streaking on the shawl.

[Mark J D]

I suspect Russell Edward's is trying to make money off of it.

I suspect we're dealing with 'Jack the Rip-Off'...

M.

[MrTwibbs]

Let me reverse the question.

If they thought it was authentic, would they have taken a pair of scissors to it?

great reply