Your Ripper Library Quiz

[Magpie]

I've (finally) been seriously unpacking my books this last week. Now, my Ripper library I of course unpacked as soon as I moved in, but I finally got around to sorting my tomes. It got me thinking about my Ripper library, and so I thought I'd ask y'all about yours.....

1) Which Ripper book (book, not author) have you purchased the most times to date?
2) Which Ripper author is the most represented in your collection? Second most?
3) Guilty secret #1. Which Ripper book is missing from your collection, that you really feel you should have? (Not talking about what you want, but what you should have)
4) Guilty secret #2. Which Ripper book is in your collection that makes you cringe to admit, but wouldn't part with.
5) What's the most "chi-chi" book in your collection?
6) What particular items in your collection are treasures? (hard to find, rare, signed, special in some way)

Here's my answers:

1) Rumbelow's Complete JtR Casebook--I've had 2 hardcover editions, the red paperback edition, and the abridged paperback edition (which was the seed from which my library grew--ah, the heady days of 1985). Second would be The Lodger, by Evans & Gainey--two hardcover editions and one softcover (the two hardcovers were because if a misunderstanding arising from different titles in Canada and the UK)

2) Excluding duplicate books, it would have to be Mr. Evans, followed by Mr Begg.

3) Phil Sugden's book.
:jaw: Yeah I know. I've got an ebook version somewhere, but that doesn't count.

4) Toss up between my beat up old paperback edition of Prince Jack, by Spiering; and JtR, The Psychic Investigation, by Pam Bell. At least Ms Bell's book has large, clear photos, which is why I bought it.

5) Jack the Ripper: Murder Mystery And Intrigue in London's East End, by Susan McNicoll. It's not a bad book at all, and if I'd bought it when I was starting out it would qualify as "chi-chi"--but the fact is I bought this book last spring...I'm looking forward to giving it to my nephew when he's old enough though.

The worst book in my collection is Anne Graham's JtR, The Last Victim, which isn't even a Ripper book, but pretends to be.

6) I don't have anything that a book dealer would wet his pants over, but among my treasures I would include: Paul Begg's JtR, the Uncensored Facts (because I had to import it from the UK and I had to wait over 8 months for it to arrive), William Fishman's "East End, 1888" (for rarity value), Basil Thompson's History of Scotland Yard (the only genuinely old book in the library) and Tom Cullen's "Autumn of Fear" (near pristine paperback edition that is slightly older than I am--and in better shape).

[How Brown]

1) Which Ripper book (book, not author) have you purchased the most times to date?

The True Face of Jack The Ripper....twice. The first one is in about 100 pieces.

2) Which Ripper author is the most represented in your collection? Second most?

Either Begg or Evans...because they need the money.


3) Guilty secret #1. Which Ripper book is missing from your collection, that you really feel you should have? (Not talking about what you want, but what you should have)

The new book by Phil and Clacky or the one put out by Camille Woolf.


4) Guilty secret #2. Which Ripper book is in your collection that makes you cringe to admit, but wouldn't part with.

None. All books,like even "bad" posts,are conducive to generating new ways of approaching the Case. Maybe thats just me....


5) What's the most "chi-chi" book in your collection?

Me no capece this chi-chi...whats that?


6) What particular items in your collection are treasures? (hard to find, rare, signed, special in some way)

Umm...the ones signed by Odell,Rumbelow,Jana Oliver,and Stan Russo.

[Mike Covell]

I bought The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper and then purchased the A-Z of Jack the Ripper and it's the same bloody book!!!
I also have two copies of the Complete History of Jack the Ripper, one is a much later edition.

I am need of a second copy of John J Eddleston's Jack the Ripper Encyclopedia, the first is slowly falling apart.

I recently purchased the True Face of from Amazon, and have been devouring it.

My fave books are Letters from Hell,
Uncovering Jack the Ripper's London,
Jack the Ripper, Scotland Yard Investigates,
The Jack the Ripper Sourcebook,
And the aforementioned Encyclopedia.

I also have the usual shelf fillers, like Black Magic Rituals and Portrait of a Killer.
Numerous books on the Ripper Diary and enough Royal conspiracy books they are making me dizzy.

I too have the Pam Bell book, and yes the big pics are rather nice, its a shame about the rest.

[Chris G.]

I bought The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper and then purchased the A-Z of Jack the Ripper and it's the same bloody book!!!

Hi Mike

I don't understand this remark.

Maxim Jakubowski and Nathan Braund eds.The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper. London: Robinson Publishing Ltd., 1999, and Paul Begg, Martin Fido, and Keith Skinner, The Jack the Ripper A to Z. London: Headline, 1991 and later editions, are two completely different books.

Chris

[Dan Norder]

The hardcover reprint of the Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper was retitled Jack the Ripper: Comprehensive A-Z. The last part is a subtitle that doesn't appear in the Amazon, etc., listings, but does show up in some other online bookstores and, of course, on the cover itself. You can see where the confusion might come in.

[Mike Covell]

Thanks for clearing that up Dan, still it looks nice on the shelf in it's shiny red dust jacket.

A delievery came yesterday of Daniel Farson's Jack the Ripper and I didnt even order it?
Is it much cop?
And does anyone know who sent it????

[Jimmy]

1) Which Ripper book (book, not author) have you purchased the most times to date?
None. I've only ever bought one copy of each, though I think it's about time I forked out on an updated 'Complete JTR' and I will be getting the new A-Z.

2) Which Ripper author is the most represented in your collection? Second most?
Evans, then Skinner

3) Guilty secret #1. Which Ripper book is missing from your collection, that you really feel you should have? (Not talking about what you want, but what you should have)
Jack the Ripper in Fact and Fiction, by Robin Odell
Failing that the Leonard Matters and William Stewart ones.

4) Guilty secret #2. Which Ripper book is in your collection that makes you cringe to admit, but wouldn't part with.
Jack the Ripper's Black Magic Rituals (Ivor Edwards). Can't get on with the theory, but I love the approach - loads of diagrams, easy to read and obviously written by somebody who is 110% behind his ideas.

5) What's the most "chi-chi" book in your collection?
Sorry, I don't understand the 'chi-chi' bit. Wasn't that a panda?

6) What particular items in your collection are treasures? (hard to find, rare, signed, special in some way)
I've got two copies of the 'Ultimate Sourcebook'. One paperback I bought years ago that is now battered with use, and one pristine hardback copy signed by Stewart Evans which he gave me personally from a small pile in his loft, so that's quite special.
And the Clack/Hutchinson one will be when I get one.

[jmenges]

1) Which Ripper book (book, not author) have you purchased the most times to date?

I've 2 copies of Rumbelow's The Complete Jack the Ripper (aka The Complete Casebook). One 1st Signet paperback Printing 1976 and the other hardback 1988 CB edition. I've thought many times of getting a second copy of Begg's The Facts since my copy has coffee spill on it and I continue to see the book on B&N's bargain shelf.

2) Which Ripper author is the most represented in your collection? Second most?

Evans with 5, next is Odell and Begg tied with 2.

3) Guilty secret #1. Which Ripper book is missing from your collection, that you really feel you should have? (Not talking about what you want, but what you should have)

I should have them all, but I really want Autumn of Terror, and Hutchinson/Clack's new book.

4) Guilty secret #2. Which Ripper book is in your collection that makes you cringe to admit, but wouldn't part with.

Particia Cornwell's Portrait of a Killer: Case Closed.

5) What's the most "chi-chi" book in your collection?

As others, I don't know what "chi-chi" means, but I'll say The Pocket Essential Jack the Ripper by Whitehead and Rivett.

6) What particular items in your collection are treasures? (hard to find, rare, signed, special in some way)

I'll take this opportunity to give kudos to Stephen P. Ryder's Public Reactions to Jack the Ripper, an important primary source collection.

Edit- Oh yeah, and I have AP Wolf's book Jack the Myth in Large Print edition. How many Ripper authors get their books released in a large print edition? AP Wolf and....Cornwell?

(Just joking AP, you know I treasure it...)

JM

[Sam Flynn]

1) Which Ripper book (book, not author) have you purchased the most times to date?

The Ultimate Sourcebook (twice - first one fell apart with use)

2) Which Ripper author is the most represented in your collection? Second most?

1st - Stewart Evans
2nd - Paul Begg

3) Guilty secret #1. Which Ripper book is missing from your collection, that you really feel you should have? (Not talking about what you want, but what you should have)

The A-Z. Waiting for next year's reprint :)

4) Guilty secret #2. Which Ripper book is in your collection that makes you cringe to admit, but wouldn't part with.

The Ripper and the Royals.

5) What's the most "chi-chi" book in your collection?

Can't say there is one, unless you count Cornwell.

6) What particular items in your collection are treasures?

First editions of Matters, McCormick, HL Adam's Trial of George Chapman, and Trevor Christie's Etched in Arsenic: A new Study of the Maybrick Case. Of more recent works, I wouldn't part with my copies of the works of Sugden or Stewart Evans (Ripper-themed or otherwise) for all the tea in China. I thoroughly enjoy Melvin Harris and Martin Fido's style of writing, and I treasure their books for that reason. Special mention for Phil Hutchinson and Robert Clack's recent oeuvre, which I thought was excellent.

[Sam Flynn]

A delievery came yesterday of Daniel Farson's Jack the Ripper and I didnt even order it?
Is it much cop?
I don't rate it very highly, to be honest, although I won't be ditching my copy anytime soon!

[Magpie]

Thanks for clearing that up Dan, still it looks nice on the shelf in it's shiny red dust jacket.

A delievery came yesterday of Daniel Farson's Jack the Ripper and I didnt even order it?
Is it much cop?
And does anyone know who sent it????

Farson's book is important in the history of Ripperology, but as for the study of the Ripper itself, it is not only sadly outdated, but to be frank it wasn't that useful to begin with. Tom Cullen stole his thunder with Autumn of Terror and Howells and Skinner contains ten times the information about Druitt..

But it's a quick read, and is written in a very accessible style, so it's by no means a waste of time or shelf space. I haven't opened my copy in about 10 years, but I wouldn't part with it either:)

I have no idea who your anonymous benefactor is, but if someone's mailing out classic Ripper tomes, I'd like a William Stewart (doesn't have to be one of the expensive ones) or Bruce Paley's book, please and thank you ;)

[Mike Covell]

1) Which Ripper book (book, not author) have you purchased the most times to date?

2 Copies of the Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper! (diff editions)
2 Copies of the Complete Jack the Ripper (diff editions)
2 Copies of The Facts (diff editions)

2) Which Ripper author is the most represented in your collection? Second most?

Evans and Rumbelow:whoo:

3) Guilty secret #1. Which Ripper book is missing from your collection, that you really feel you should have? (Not talking about what you want, but what you should have)

Jack the Ripper A-Z by Begg, thought i had it but turns it i had ordered the mammoth book but with a different bloody name!!(thanks amazon):shocked:

4) Guilty secret #2. Which Ripper book is in your collection that makes you cringe to admit, but wouldn't part with.

Black Magic Rituals (unless someone will donate a new tea coaster?):lol:
Portrait of a killer (unless some one is willing to donate a door stopper?):lol:

5) What's the most "chi-chi" book in your collection?


Chi Chi LaRue (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi_Chi_LaRue), a director of gay and bisexual pornography.
Chi-Chi (Scarface) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi-Chi_%28Scarface%29), a fictional character in the 1983 film Scarface
Chichi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chichi), a fictional character in the Dragon Ball metaseries

Erm not sure??:noidea:

6) What particular items in your collection are treasures? (hard to find, rare, signed, special in some way)

Got a fair few 1st editions, hardbacks with dust jackets in pristine condition.

[Magpie]

I guess I threw a lot of folks with that, so I should explain.

By "chi-chi", I'm referring to something that seems totally out of place in a "serious" Ripper collection. It doesn't necessarily mean bad, but something that if someone else say it they'd do a second take.

The book I chose, for instance, is a good--if not earthshattering-- book that offers a solid basic overview of the case. I'd certainly recommend it to a high-school student, or someone just entering the world of Ripperology. If I'd bought it in '85 I'd consider it a worthwhile purchase--but the fact is I bought it last summer. As a 22 year veteran of Ripperology, there was no reason why I would by this book other than an inability to pass up any new Ripper book that I don't have.

To use an analogy. Imagine you are at the home of a reknown jazz affecianado/snob, thumbing through his collection of pristine, rare albums by all the greats, and buried in the middle you find a K-tel release of Kylie Minogue singing Ella Fitzgerald songs. That would be chi-chi :)

[Mike Covell]

In that case then it would have to be

Jack the Ripper, The Pitkin Guides:ballchain:

Ok its not a bad introduction to the case, but its something i would buy for my little nieces or nephew!!
Being from Yorkshire I also have a collection of Yorkshire Victorian Mysteries thrown in, some Victorian Architechture and my Writers and Artists Yearbook.

Thanks for the explainaition, I almost included

CHI CHI, A panda bears guide to eating bamboo!

[Adam Went]

Well, compared to some of you guys I'm still a relative newcomer to the case, so my Ripper book collection isn't that big yet, but here goes....

1) Which Ripper book (book, not author) have you purchased the most times to date?

2 copies of "The Complete History".

2) Which Ripper author is the most represented in your collection? Second most?

Evans, then Begg.

3) Guilty secret #1. Which Ripper book is missing from your collection, that you really feel you should have? (Not talking about what you want, but what you should have)

I'd probably have to go with the A-Z on that one, although I hear that Karen Trenouth's books are worth their weight in gold. Tough call. Really.

4) Guilty secret #2. Which Ripper book is in your collection that makes you cringe to admit, but wouldn't part with.

That would be "Jack The Ripper: The Final Chapter". A good read, even if the main theory is no good.

5) What's the most "chi-chi" book in your collection?

I don't think there is one!

6) What particular items in your collection are treasures? (hard to find, rare, signed, special in some way)

Can't say I really have any of those as far as my Ripper books go, but I do have a book about the Titanic which was autographed to me by Dr. Bob Ballard, the guy who discovered the wreck - it was a gift from a friend of mine in the US who knew Dr. Ballard and had it done especially. So that one takes pride of place among all of my books!

Cheers,
Adam. :)

[John Savage]

1) Which Ripper book (book, not author) have you purchased the most times to date?
I only ever buy one copy of a book, although I am looking forward to the new edition of A-Z

2) Which Ripper author is the most represented in your collection? Second most?
Well like most people I would have to go for either Evans or Begg, but the fact that some authors have only ever published one book on the case, makes them none the less worthwhile.

3) Guilty secret #1. Which Ripper book is missing from your collection, that you really feel you should have? (Not talking about what you want, but what you should have)
Probably Melvin Harris "The Bloody Truth", even if I do think it to be a bloody awful book.

4) Guilty secret #2. Which Ripper book is in your collection that makes you cringe to admit, but wouldn't part with.
"Murder and Madness" by Dr.David Abrahamsen, but would I part with it? Yes of course if the price was right.

5) What's the most "chi-chi" book in your collection?
Like one or two other people I am not sure about the definition of chi-chi, but I could propose "Jimmy Kelly's Year of Ripper Murders" by John Morrison. But then again I respect the man for coming up with his own original suspect, even if he did write in a somewhat individual style.

6) What particular items in your collection are treasures? (hard to find, rare, signed, special in some way)
All the books on my shelf are treasures in one way or another. The only books I have that are signed by the authors are Andy and Sue Parlours "Jack the Ripper Whitechapel Murders", and a book about teaching drama in schools, signed by my old drama master.

Rgds
John

[How Brown]

and a book about teaching drama in schools, signed by my old drama master.- Prof. Savage

Thats right...I forgot about that. You did go to school with Shakespeare,didn't you?

[Mike Covell]

Hi John,
I had a similar book from my English teachers, signed an all,

It simply said "Must do better!!":thumbsupbud: