Ripperologist 2010 Reader's Choice Awards

[Tom_Wescott]

For whatever reason, Ripperologist magazine has discontinued or at least suspended its Jeremy Beadle Award prize, which is a shame because, as a reader, it's something I look forward to every year. I'd been meaning to do this for some time, but today decided to take the time and offer a poll whereby Casebook readers could vote for their favorite Rip article for 2010. I'm not sure I'm willing to believe the rumor that the Beadle Award was cancelled this year because, had they held it, they would have been compelled to give me the award for my outstanding 'letter to the editor' which appeared in issue #114, and was remarkably one of the most informative Ripper-related pieces to appear in the journal during 2010. But there were other excellent contributions, and here I've chosen 6 that I thought most worthy of consideration. My standards were simple...the article had to pertain to the Ripper crimes or those involved or alleged to have been involved (i.e. suspects).

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

PLEASE NOTE this poll closes in 30 days

[mariab]

Sadly, I haven't read any of these pieces yet (at least Rip 117 is waiting on my reading list), but something tells me I would have voted for either PC Hutt by Bell and Clack or Letters to the City Police by Bennett (hey! I got Rip 114, which unables me to read at least the last part of the Bennett series).

Oh, come on! The LTE in Rip 114 contains some interesting details, but as of it being worthy of an award... This is a complete joke. On the other side, were Casebook Examiner to introduce a Jeremy Beadle Award prize, I would vote for Tom Wescott's Exonerating Michael Kidney (from issue #1), as it's not just informative, but takes care of correcting a litany of misconceptions and misunderstandings pertaining to the Stride inquest which have sadly and resistently plagued Ripperology for decades.

[Tom_Wescott]

On the other side, were Casebook Examiner to introduce a Jeremy Beadle Award prize, I would vote for Tom Wescott's Exonerating Michael Kidney (from issue #1), as it's not just informative, but takes care of correcting a litany of misconceptions and misunderstandings pertaining to the Stride inquest which have sadly and resistently plagued Ripperology for decades.

I agree wholeheartedly, although I would probably vote for my 'Le Grand: The New Prime Suspect'. It's really hard to pick when there's so many great Tom Wescott pieces to choose from. And yes, I would like to see Exonerating Michael Kidney added to the Dissertations section here on Casebook.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

P.S. Joke? What joke?

[mariab]

I would probably vote for my 'Le Grand: The New Prime Suspect'.

Nope. The Examiner 2 article is super informative, but introductory, and not yet conclusive. I'm sure that more will come.

It's really hard to pick when there's so many great Tom Wescott pieces to choose from.

I'm surprised you haven't yet posted a pole consisting entirely of your own contributions, Tom. “The Wescott's Best award“, a win-win situation.

P.S. Joke? What joke?

The sad ongoing joke of your Ripperological aseity*, Tom.

*Look it up.

[Tom_Wescott]

I looked it up. Actually, I'm engaging in a bit of irony for my own amusement and that of a few others 'in the know'. The reality is, that most Ripper writers are PUBLICLY very quiet and modest, but total ego cases behind the scenes. I find this hypocrisy amusing, so I pretend to be completely absorbed and egotistical about my work PUBLICLY in contrast. Call it a social experiment.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[mariab]

Well, it makes sense to be an egotist hurricane publicly and very quiet and shy when by yourself.
Actually, I was going for a Cordelia to Xander-like response. The “aceity“ word I didn't know 20' min. ago, but wiktionary came up with just the right synonym (containing all the nuances I was seeking for) when I simply typed in “existence“.
Interesting that this thread was supposed to be about the best Ripperological article of the year, yet instead of this we're conducting a hairsplitting analysis of your work and personality, Tom.

[Tom_Wescott]

Interesting that this thread was supposed to be about the best Ripperological article of the year, yet instead of this we're conducting a hairsplitting analysis of your work and personality, Tom.

2010 was certainly NOT the best year for Rip (and this probably had a lot to do with Don Souden leaving), whereas my work and I are always top notch.

Nope. The Examiner 2 article is super informative, but introductory, and not yet conclusive.

I disagree. Do you know when the LAST new contemporary suspect was unveiled? 1995. And the last time before that was when Kennedy was alive. Yes, it was intended to be 'introductory', but the significance of the evidence has been very underappreciated. I think if I'd made it a 3 page essay and just listed why Le Grand should be taken seriously, it would have had more of an impact.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[mariab]

2010 was certainly NOT the best year for Rip (and this probably had a lot to do with Don Souden leaving)

I didn't know it was so recent with the change. I'm not able yet to give global evaluations on Rip, since the samples I've managed to read, although from different years, are not representative enough.

whereas my work and I are always top notch.

Actually, mine too. (But not necessarily I.)

I disagree. Do you know when the LAST new contemporary suspect was unveiled? 1995. And the last time before that was when Kennedy was alive. Yes, it was intended to be 'introductory', but the significance of the evidence has been very underappreciated. I think if I'd made it a 3 page essay and just listed why Le Grand should be taken seriously, it would have had more of an impact.

I know. Introductory it has to have been, since it was the second article on Le Grand ever. I assure you it hasn't been underappreciated, but things like this need time. I've been in Ripperology since about 8 months (is it that long already?), and it's obvious that the main 3 key words in this environment is “repeat, repeat, repeat“. It will require a couple more articles and possibly your book until it gets through.
Interestingly enough, musicology is less resistent to new ideas. Possibly because the field is vaster and there are a couple dozens of true specialists for each and every sub-field, while in Ripperology we're lucky if we have 5 participants in a sub-field. Particularly Berner Street is horribly neglected, with hardly any representation, and with severe misconceptions still ruling.

I think if I'd made it a 3 page essay and just listed why Le Grand should be taken seriously, it would have had more of an impact.

People are too lazy to read. But you've made a recapitulating list at the end of the article anyway, and some people might have read just that.

I think this thread's named all wrong, as we're still talking about you, Tom.

[Tom_Wescott]

Remarkably, this thread has received over 100 views, with only two posters, and only four voters...and I haven't even voted yet! I intend to wait until closer to the time the poll ends to place my vote.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[mariab]

Actually, I'll be able to vote before the poll is closed, as I've just realized I own all these as back issues but one (which I want to get hold of, as it's Rob Clack with Monty).

[Tom_Wescott]

A Brief History

Hi Maria,

I have been with Rip since #28, and have every issue since the first. Originally it was the newsletter, then journal, of the Cloak & Dagger Society. Paul Begg became editor with issue #28 and worked to turn the journal into a national magazine, eventually seperating it entirely from the club. The Cloak and Dagger Club would go on to change their name to the Whitechapel 1888 Society and they now have their own journal.

Rip remained a print magazine through issue #61. With #62 it became an e-zine. Many of us didn't think it would translate well, but in hindsight I feel Rip had its best years as an e-zine. Hopefully, they'll get some fresh blood in there and regain their focus. The old guard seems to be busy with a lot of other projects, not to mention that thing called life. Oh, and they should nicer to me. But I digress. I have a feeling Rip will get its hands on some good new finds for 2011.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Tom_Wescott]

Rob Clack with Monty

Yep, and that's how the rest of us think of them too.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[mariab]

Actually, I knew all this but the Cloak and Dagger earlier name.
New finds for Rip in 2011? Sounds nice. But referring to whom?
Yes, that thing called life tends to be very distracting sometimes.
And Monty without Rob Clack sounds like salty without crunchy.

[Adam Went]

Letter to the Editor in Rip #114, eh? Ripperology has certainly taken a downhill slide if that takes out the award....sorry to say, Tom.

Cheers,
Adam.

[mariab]

Actually, I already told him that. ;-)