Jack the Ripper A-Z

[The Grave Maurice]

Errata

In post #21 (above) Tom Wescott says that there are "many errors" in the A-Z. I can't say that I've found a large number but, if a new edition is in preparation, perhaps we should draw those that we know about to the attention of the editors.

Flipping through my well-annotated copy of the 1996 edition, I spot these:

p. 26, last paragraph: both times should read 12:45 a.m., instead of 1:45 a.m.
p. 150: the actor who starred in The Green Hornet was Van Williams, not Van Johnson.
p. 417: Henry Smith must have begun “casting about for employment” in 1869, not 1879.
In the middle of the first set of plates, Martha Tabram is twice called Tabran.

Anyone find any others?

[The Grave Maurice]

Was there a hard cover A-Z?

I believe that the 1996 edition was issued only in paperback. There was a hardcover of the original 1991 edition (ISBN 0-7472-0424-1), but it's damn hard to find a copy.

[Mike Covell]

My pages have fallen out of my encyclopedia, so much so that Stephenson is in the suspects section!!

[sdreid]

My Case Closed is holding up much better than my A-Z which is now partially loose leaf.

Was there a hard cover A-Z?

[Phizzie]

Case Closed.

I started to read this book - totally crazy - she said the knife found after the murder of Elizabeth Stride is a cooks knife - so Sickert liked to cook so he was the Ripper. Maybe if they found an easel thrown away in a doorway, could be Sickert.

My copy is for sale - cheap.

Phizzie

[Mike Covell]

I heard its a 4 parter,

The Quest for the lost case
Case closed
Case open
Basket case

[Sam Flynn]

She's still busy putting the final touches to her last word on the subject, CASE OPEN.

...her penultimate word on the subject, Phil. I've heard rumour of a pre-prequel, called "Sickert - The Quest for Luggage".

[George Hutchinson]

And whatever happened to Cornwells' follow up to 'Case Closed'

She's still busy putting the final touches to her last word on the subject, CASE OPEN.

PHILIP

[Phizzie]

Hey, looks like I started a debate with the AZ!!

I phoned the publishers of 1994 edition I have - Headline Book Publishing in London - they dont know anything about any new edition. But the person I spoke to I don't think knew what day it was.

With the old site I always thought how many many questions could be answered just by looking in the AZ - same on this new site. Explrers need a map - Ripperologists need the AZ

My AZ is held together with tape now

Phizzie

[plang]

Been waiting for this 'new' A to Z for ages it seems. Guess the authors are still studying expert opinions on this here casebook
And whatever happened to Cornwells' follow up to 'Case Closed'

[George Hutchinson]

I would recommend that anyone who does not already have A-Z should wait until the new edition comes out and not bother purchasing the error-riddled earlier edtions. Many of the people I see praising the accuracy of these old editions are usually the same ones I see regurgitating it's many errors and then stubbornly sticking to them because they're branded with the Begg name. Keep in mind the last edition was published in 1996. That's 12 years ago and before the Casebook was the force of research and progress it has since become.

Note to self... Joseph Merrick no longer a viable suspect...

PHILIP

[Tom_Wescott]

Do you think you'll be mentioned in it, Tom?

I recognize a loaded question when I see one. For some reason, I answer them anyways, so here goes...Absolutely not. I haven't published a book and the majority of information and essays I have published appeared in Ripper Notes, which Paul Begg hates with a black passion.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Scott Nelson]

Do you think you'll be mentioned in it, Tom?

[Tom_Wescott]

I would recommend that anyone who does not already have A-Z should wait until the new edition comes out and not bother purchasing the error-riddled earlier edtions. Many of the people I see praising the accuracy of these old editions are usually the same ones I see regurgitating it's many errors and then stubbornly sticking to them because they're branded with the Begg name. Keep in mind the last edition was published in 1996. That's 12 years ago and before the Casebook was the force of research and progress it has since become. I've no doubt that the new edition will be the complete and flawless volume Begg says it will be, so please just wait for that one.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[John Bennett]

Ah, yes, bindings. Bindings, bindings, bindings. You can't beat a good binding.

Several JTR publications in my posession have fallen foul of bonding deficiencies. JTR - An Encyclopedia lasted mere days before individual pages decided to detatch themselves rather inappropriately. My A-Z fared little better. The Ultimate Source Book managed to keep itself in one peice for a good 4 years until the picture sections decided to attempt egress.

My 1973 edition of Autumn of Terror clocked in at a healthy 8-or-so years before splitting into two parts and then disappearing altogether, so top effort Mr Cullen.

I have a 1981 Rumbelow that is still able to achieve unity (outstanding!), which bodes well for Messrs. Clack and Hutchinson's production, the binding of which I must say is quite superb. Such strength, such all-embracing firmness of purpose, no doubt in constant battle with the sheer weight of the photographs contained within, but I am confident that it will be able to embrace and gel the meaty contents with aplomb.

JB