Drawing og Kelly's body in situ - IPN

[richardnunweek]

Hi.
When looking at these sketches, ones first thought is the whole room looks out of proportion and items have been shifted around somewhat.
The washstand which appears in one sketch behind the bed aginst the wall was originally against the pertition wall to the right of kellys bed, giving the impression that the bed was moved futher down the room by the police, and against the wall, thus moving the wash stand behind the bed.
I am puzzled that another table near the window is present, that surely was not in any inventory we have seen.
The original positioning of the washbasin, and the type of bed shown[ which surely is accurate] would indicate that when Barnett shared the room with Mary, he slept on the side nearest the door, leaving Mary next to the wall.
The reason being is when Joseph was working as a fish porter , he would have been first out of bed making it more convenient to sleep on that side,as the wash-stand,would make it difficult to exit from that side of the bed.
The boots have always intrested me, they appear to have been kicked off, in direct line to the fireplace, and that has always given me the impression that the fire was alight when she did this, which would not be so if the killer lit it after killing her.
Regards Richard.

[j.r-ahde]

Hello Chris!

I just cannot help saying, that impression of the size of the room is larger than one could estimate from the crime scene photo!

All the best
Jukka

[Chris Scott]

Hi Stephen
Thanks for the message
The pic you post from Reynolds is a very interesting comparison and here it is at larger size for folks to compare with the IPN version
Chris

[Stephen Thomas]

The table with the sections of flesh is clearly shown but also another two level table or possibly small dresser to the extreme right.
This drawing, which looks to have been done standing in (or just inside) the doorway, gives me the impression of Kelly's body being laid across the bed at a much sharper angle than in the famous photograph - almost diagonally across the bed.
Chris S

The drawing was obviously done from 'life' or perhaps from a lost police photo.

And very poignant it is too.

That dressing table behind the bed must have been there though it doesn't show on the photos we have today.

[spyglass]

HI all,
Intresting picture, and one I have'nt seen before.

Does anyone think that because it was done by a police artist for a police publication, there is a good chance it being more accurate then newspaper efforts.
I know it does'nt reflect what we see in the murder scene photo, but then I have often questioned whether the body had been touched or moved before the photo's were taken.

[j.r-ahde]

Hello Chris!

Yes, and the sheets are on her body.

Still, one cannot help asking the following question;

Was the illustrator really on the spot?!

All the best
Jukka

[Chris Scott]

Today I have been looking through some November issues of IPN (Illustrated Police News) and some of the smaller cover drawings tucked way in the corners are easy to overlook.
The one below is from 24 November 1888 and shows Kelly's body in situ. I have enlarged and slightly enhanced this. This shows the head of the bed well away from the wall behind the headboard. The table with the sections of flesh is clearly shown but also another two level table or possibly small dresser to the extreme right.
This drawing, which looks to have been done standing in (or just inside) the doorway, gives me the impression of Kelly's body being laid across the bed at a much sharper angle than in the famous photograph - almost diagonally across the bed.
Chris S