The Ripper Diary: Old Hoax Theories

[MayBea]

One third of those polled believe the Diary to be an old hoax. That position seems to be based on initial acceptance of the popular conclusion that the Diary is a hoax and then agreeing with the science that indicates it is an old document.

For the sake of further Diary discussion, let's agree that it is an old hoax.

So who forged it? Why did he frame James?

Where did it come from? How did it get in Michael Barrett's hands?

Are we looking at one forger or a nest of forgers?

Any and all theories are welcome.

[pinkmoon]

One third of those polled believe the Diary to be an old hoax. That position seems to be based on initial acceptance of the popular conclusion that the Diary is a hoax and then agreeing with the science that indicates it is an old document.

For the sake of further Diary discussion, let's agree that it is an old hoax.

So who forged it? Why did he frame James?

Where did it come from? How did it get in Michael Barrett's hands?

Are we looking at one forger or a nest of forgers?

Any and all theories are welcome.

Having met Mr Barrett quite a few times over the years I would say that he is no criminal mastermind and no body in their right mind would involve him in any sort of scam I think I know how he came to come into possession of the diary and I think it was by pure chance.As for who wrote it I think it was a cheap attempt at the time of Florences trial to cash in when she was hung as she wasn't hung it was forgotten about .

[Magpie]

I think that it's possible that someone forged the Diary in an misguided attempt to "help" Florence during her trial.

[AlanG]

I think that it's possible that someone forged the Diary in an misguided attempt to "help" Florence during her trial.

Seems plausible

[GUT]

What if [and I am not myself persuaded] someone was planning a book at about the time(s) James and Florrie were big news.

[AlanG]

When specifically?

[GUT]

When specifically?

If it's me your askng I have no idea, but perhaps at the time of or around Florries Trial or her release, they seem the most likely times, if we accept it is an old hoax, but that doesn't rule out it being some other time.

[pinkmoon]

If it's me your askng I have no idea, but perhaps at the time of or around Florries Trial or her release, they seem the most likely times, if we accept it is an old hoax, but that doesn't rule out it being some other time.

I agree I think it is linked to Mrs Maybricks trial .

[AlanG]

If it's me your askng I have no idea, but perhaps at the time of or around Florries Trial or her release, they seem the most likely times, if we accept it is an old hoax, but that doesn't rule out it being some other time.

I think its just fascinating listening to opinions, thus why I asked. I enjoy thinking about the case etc.

[MayBea]

I'm also fascinated listening to opinions. Sometimes I think I'm more interested in the people interested and what they have to say than in the case itself.

My best conjecture is that the old hoaxer would have to be Forbes Winslow, or someone like him, who was connected to the Ripper hunt and the Maybrick case.

[GUT]

I think its just fascinating listening to opinions, thus why I asked. I enjoy thinking about the case etc.

If t's an old hoax, I favour it having been either written as some sort of defence for Flo and they then either chickened out or when she got a relatively light sentence dropped the idea, in that scenario you would be looking at one of the family to have been the author. I considered one of her lovers [I suspect that there was more than one], but not sure how it was then placed in the house [if it was]. or

Someone considering a novel. As someone else has said a Forbes Winslow type who had followed things closely would fit.

[caz]

I suspect it was someone's idea of a late Victorian bad taste spoof. The language is not exactly pornographic by today's standards, but it wasn't the kind of thing most publishers back then would have touched with a bargepole. Planting it in Battlecrease and hoping it would one day get an airing might have been the best its anonymous author could hope for.

Today's equivalent might be a spoof diary supposedly written by another 'Sir Jim' - Jimmy Savile. We tend to cringe even at the name now, so one can only imagine the reaction if a hoax diary were found in one of his former haunts, containing his darkest thoughts. Obviously the real James Maybrick was only guilty, as far as we know, of treating women and his own health with fairly reckless abandon. But someone thought he deserved not only to be mercilessly sent up, but cast in the role of the most evil man in England in the late 19th century.

Love,

Caz
X

[pinkmoon]

A lot of people accept the dear diary as an old forgery purely because of the scientific testing that it has undergone surely with the passage of time since its discovery science must have advanced to allow more detailed examination.

[pinkmoon]

I suspect it was someone's idea of a late Victorian bad taste spoof. The language is not exactly pornographic by today's standards, but it wasn't the kind of thing most publishers back then would have touched with a bargepole. Planting it in Battlecrease and hoping it would one day get an airing might have been the best its anonymous author could hope for.

Today's equivalent might be a spoof diary supposedly written by another 'Sir Jim' - Jimmy Savile. We tend to cringe even at the name now, so one can only imagine the reaction if a hoax diary were found in one of his former haunts, containing his darkest thoughts. Obviously the real James Maybrick was only guilty, as far as we know, of treating women and his own health with fairly reckless abandon. But someone thought he deserved not only to be mercilessly sent up, but cast in the role of the most evil man in England in the late 19th century.

Love,

Caz
X

Hi caz,I think for once you are wrong if this was published shortly after Maybrick died it would have sold bucket loads so we have to ask the question why it was never released after his death.xxxxxxx

[caz]

One word, pinky...

Libel?

"Sir Jim" was six feet under, but Florie potentially (with all those 'whore' accusations), and the other Maybrick brothers could have kicked up one hell of a fuss.

Nobody in their right mind would publish a Jimmy Savile related spoof today, would they?

Love,

Caz
X