The haunted obelisk

[Kattrup]

Thanks, glad to help - looking forward to seeing your book, Jose

[Gary Barnett]

Kattrup is a professional!

[Jose Oranto]

Jose, check out George E. Jennes, Maskelyne and Cooke. Egyptian Hall, London, 1873-1904, London 1967.

It has photos and illustrations of the magic show at Egyptian Hall, and includes some brief mentions of Cleopatra's Needle:


The year was 1881, the sketch proves a favourite and is reproduced several times over the following years, in late 1887 it is noted that is was being revived for another season,

Excellent, Kattrup! You always get the right book.

[Kattrup]

I have no idea what the show was about though.

Jose, check out George E. Jennes, Maskelyne and Cooke. Egyptian Hall, London, 1873-1904, London 1967.

It has photos and illustrations of the magic show at Egyptian Hall, and includes some brief mentions of Cleopatra's Needle:


The year was 1881, the sketch proves a favourite and is reproduced several times over the following years, in late 1887 it is noted that is was being revived for another season,

[Jose Oranto]

This is your novel, right?

You’re allowed to make some of it up.

haha not a novel, not fiction at all... what we can't find out, won't be written... 0 theories, speculation, ideas, assumptions or anything like that... a very boring book

[Gary Barnett]

This is your novel, right?

You’re allowed to make some of it up.

[Jose Oranto]

you got it, Gary... that might be a good clue! Sounds promising, like a good excuse to mention Maskelyne in my book.

I have no idea what the show was about though.

[Jose Oranto]

you got it, Gary... that might be a good clue! Sounds promising, like a good excuse to mention Maskelyne in my book.

The grave of illusionists E. A. and Cassie Maskelyne. Edwin Archibald was the son of the magician J.N. Maskelyne

[Jose Oranto]

I can’t find a ghost in 1888, but there was an illusionist named Maskelyne who performed something he called ‘Cleopatra’s Needle’ at that time.

you got it, Gary... that might be a good clue! Sounds promising, like a good excuse to mention Maskelyne in my book.

[Jose Oranto]

June, 1888:

No ghost, though.

Thank you very much Gary

Any ghost story related to Cleopatra's Needle would be great (I just need a single mention). No need to be from 1888... the obelisk was erected in 1877, so it could be between 1877 and 1888.

I even have the story of a man who shot himself at the obelisk, but later than 1888.

[Gary Barnett]

I can’t find a ghost in 1888, but there was an illusionist named Maskelyne who performed something he called ‘Cleopatra’s Needle’ at that time.

[Gary Barnett]

June, 1888:

No ghost, though.

[Jose Oranto]

In 1928, a young man named David Onslow Smith committed suicide by jumping into the Thames from Cleopatra’s Needle. He had apparently been dabbling in the occult and told a friend that if he should die before the friend he would return and tell him about it.

That's awesome Gary. I even found some time ago someone who committed suicide at (I think I remember... I may be wrong) to the wonderful memorial of the composer Arthur Sullivan, behind the obelisk, but unfortunately it is not useful to me since it happened after 1888. I have some suicides compiled close to the Needle, but I need a contemporary ghost story.

[Gary Barnett]

The best report of the case was in the Daily Telegraph of 12th October, 1928.

[Gary Barnett]

In 1928, a young man named David Onslow Smith committed suicide by jumping into the Thames from Cleopatra’s Needle. He had apparently been dabbling in the occult and told a friend that if he should die before the friend he would return and tell him about it.