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** This is an archived, static copy of the Casebook messages boards dating from 1998 to 2003. These threads cannot be replied to here. If you want to participate in our current forums please go to https://forum.casebook.org **
Jack the Ripper: The "Dear Boss" Letter (Timeframed, 2000)
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Jack the Ripper: The "Dear Boss" Letter (Timeframed, 2000)
Author: Stephen P. Ryder
Saturday, 30 December 2000 - 01:33 am |        | JACK THE RIPPER: The "Dear Boss" Letter
Timeframed Limited, in association with the Public Record Office
2000, 577mm x 632mm.
Limited edition of 1000 copies.
£150.
The "Dear Boss" letter has always held a special fascination for Ripper enthusiasts, regardless of one's personal opinions regarding its authorship. Whether or not it was indeed penned by the Ripper, its signature is undoubtedly the origin of the killer's infamous name. Thanks to Timeframed Limited, collectors and researchers alike can now purchase their own officially licensed and handsomely framed copy of this letter, along with the companion "Saucy Jacky" postcard.
The production is top-notch, with a crystal-clear color reproduction of the "Dear Boss" letter and envelope, as well as both sides of the "Saucy Jacky" postcard. The clarity of the reproduction is so clear that one is even able to discern the individual loops and coils of the penman's "bloody" fingerprint on the front of the postcard - a humbling reminder that this letter, its author and the atrocities of which it spoke were all too real.
The reproduction (printed on acid-free paper) is matted above a short description of the letters, and both are set against a black background. The frame itself is solid wood, and each production is numbered on the front. Only one thousand will be sold.
Along with the frame comes a small explanatory booklet of nine pages, discussing the Dear Boss, Saucy Jacky and From Hell letters. From there the barest facts of the case are mentioned, including a long list of victims and a short rundown of some possible suspects. Some spelling and factual errors are found within the text, but overall it serves as a wonderful companion to the frame.
Sitting here at my desk, viewing the frame on the wall, I almost have to consciously remind myself that I'm at home in the States and *not* in Scotland Yard's Black Museum. The letters, in all their original color and detail, are absolutely captivating, and the frame has already become the centerpiece of all things Ripperish in my collection. Although £150 seems a bit expensive for a Ripper collectible, this museum-quality prouction is well-worth the investment and is sure to become a highly sought-after item. Very highly recommended for collectors and enthusiasts.
Interested parties may order the frame at http://www.timeframed.com. |
Author: Christopher T George
Saturday, 30 December 2000 - 03:28 pm | | Hi, Spry:
Thanks for posting this. I think the images of the Dear Boss letter and the Saucy Jacky postcard have been made off the police poster showing them not from the actual documents. The layout is the same as the poster, as shown in Rumbelow's book. In addition, no stamp is seen on the Dear Boss envelope nor the postcard, which is the same as on the poster--evidently the duplication process used for the poster would reproduce the Post Office frank but not the stamp. Look at the image of the Dear Boss envelope in Evans and Skinner's The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Sourcebook which clearly shows the postage stamp.
Best regards
Chris George |
Author: Stewart P Evans
Monday, 01 January 2001 - 04:01 pm | | This reproduction of the 'Dear Boss' letter and the postcard is made neither from the original documents, nor the police poster.
As well as the poster produced in October 1888, the Metropolitan Police also produced a colour facsimile, actual size, of the letter, envelope, and postcard (both sides) on a single sheet. A copy of this is filed in the official records as MEPO 3/142, ff 2-6. It is this document that has been reproduced for this limited edition production. The original 'Dear Boss' letter and envelope are preserved as MEPO 3/3153, ff 2-4. The original 'saucy Jacky' postcard is missing and has been for a great number of years. I have in my own collection an original 1888 colour facsimile of this postcard.
The original 'Dear Boss' letter is in a poor state and would not reproduce at all as well as the facsimile does. In fact the postscript is now all but unreadable. As Chris points out, whatever process they used in 1888 for reproducing the facsimile of the letter did not allow the reproduction of the 'penny lilac' stamp on the envelope. This was presumably because it was a different colour and only a single colour reproduction was possible.
Best Wishes and a Happy New Year,
Stewart |
Author: Christopher T George
Monday, 01 January 2001 - 06:59 pm | | Hi, Stewart:
Thank you so much for clarifying what Timeframed Limited used to make the framed images of the original Dear Boss letter and envelope and of the front and back of the Saucy Jacky postcard. I had a feeling you might be able to give us accurate information on how the framed images were made.
Best regards to you and Rosie for the New Year.
Chris George |
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