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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 **
"Letters from Hell" by Thisted
Casebook Message Boards: Trading Post: "Letters from Hell" by Thisted
Author: Christopher T George
Friday, 03 August 2001 - 03:08 pm |        | Hi, all:
I am now offering on e-bay a copy of "Letters from Hell" a book published in the late 19th Century with a possible connection with the Ripper case. To see the auction, go to http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1452743460
Description is as follows:
1897 English Edition published by Richard Bentley and Son with a preface by George MacDonald,
L.L.D., presents the imaginary journey of a visitor to Hell, written by the Danish priest V. Thisted. The 348-page book is in good condition although some pages are discolored and the binding is somewhat frayed and faded. A good reading copy of this historic text. The seller, otterspool (Christopher T. George), is a researcher on Jack the Ripper. There is a theory that this text may have had an influence on the person who wrote the "From Hell" letter received by builder George Akins Lusk, the Chairman of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee on October 16, 1888. The letter in a small brown paper parcel was accompanied by half a kidney allegedly from the victim Catherine Eddowes. Chris George has a theory that the Lusk letter and another letter, known as the Openshaw letter, may have been written by black magician Roslyn D'Onston Stephenson, at the time, a patient in the London Hospital, Whitechapel. D'Onston was later the author of the "Patristic Gospels" so he was certainly well read, had a religious bent, and could well have read "Letters from Hell" which was available in England at the time of the murders. An interesting piece of Victoriana with a possible connection to the Whitechapel murders. Seller will pay shipping to U.S. addresses. Shipping outside the U.S. and/or insurance extra.
Bidding for the item starts at $20.00 and there is a "Buy it now" option of $30.00. Money orders and cashier's checks only accepted. |
Author: Christopher T George
Friday, 03 August 2001 - 04:22 pm | | Hi, all:
I should credit Tom Wescott for bringing Thisted's Letters from Hell to my attention some months ago. Tom pointed out in a recent issue of Ripperologist that Letters from Hell was advertised in the British press in 1888. The theory about D'Onston writing the From Hell and Openshaw letters is strictly my own.
Best regards
Chris George |
Author: Alegria
Friday, 03 August 2001 - 05:14 pm | | Hey there Chris,
Shame on you for not knowing every page of the Casebook.  Mr. Larry Barbee made the same discovery of Thisted's Letters From Hell in 1996 and it has been listed in the Casebook Press Reports section as a possible inspiration for the letters ever since! 
http://casebook.org/press_reports/times_[london]/lt880907.html
Ally |
Author: Christopher T George
Friday, 03 August 2001 - 06:59 pm | | Okay, Ally. Thanks for the information.
Chris |
Author: Tom Wescott
Friday, 03 August 2001 - 11:48 pm | | Ally,
That may be so, but damnit, I wrote the article! 
To All,
Yes, Chris George was indeed the first one (to my knowledge) who put forth the theory of D'Onston as hoaxer. Unless, of course, Larry Barbee posted that in '96 as well. Either way, it's a hell of a theory that my research has independently endorsed. As some of you may know, I'm working on my own book on the case (who isn't?) although mine will not put forth a suspect for the murders. The primary focus of my work is the letters, although it is taking a completely different perspective than Stewart's book and, essentially, will be nothing like it. At present I have written the first draft of the sections on my research into related literature (including Letters From Hell) and presenting my case for D'Onston as hoaxer, and it's taken 50 pages! I've found some cool stuff and hope to get ahold of more cool stuff in the way of some writings by W.T. Stead that haven't been quoted in previous Ripper books. That is, of course, if I can track them down.
Anyway, I'm babbling as always. I just wanted to let everyone know that Chris' theory is a hot one and so is the book 'Letters From Hell'. I found it to be not only an intense look into the mind of a man at odds with the Victorian way of life, but also an entertaining, throught-provoking work. Don't be square, go bid on it now!
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott
P.S. To be truthful, I had no clue about Larry Barbee's post. I give credit where credit is due, I just have to know it's due! I asked a lot of people if they were aware of the ad or book and only Stewart was (of course) but he mentioned nothing of Larry Barbee, to whom my hat is off. I will be sure to make ammends for the article by giving him the right recognition in my book. |
Author: Christopher-Michael DiGrazia
Saturday, 04 August 2001 - 02:20 am | | I must apologise as well - I was unaware of Larry's connection with LFH when I published Tom's excellent article in the April RN. Proper correction and attribution will be made in the October issue.
CMD |
Author: Christopher T George
Saturday, 04 August 2001 - 02:03 pm | | Hi all:
1887 Victorian money! Also now being offered by me on ebay, a double florin of Queen Victoria. The auction has a few hours left and already has attracted a couple of bidders. As of writing the price is $20.50. Not much to pay for a coin that could have been touched by Jack the Ripper!
Go to http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1259754821
(I'll make enough money to get myself, my wife and my cast of singers to Bournemouth yet. Help a poor starving lyricist out, please. Your  gratefully accepted! |
Author: Christopher T George
Saturday, 04 August 2001 - 02:05 pm | | Hi, CM:
Aren't we artistes shameless?  |
Author: Tom Wescott
Sunday, 05 August 2001 - 12:42 am | | Chris,
Do you have any Ripper books you plan on selling? What about old copies of Ripperologist, Ripperana, Ripper Notes? My computer is too weak to go to eBay (rats!) but I'd purchase them outright for a decent price. Also, did you not notice my plea for you to email that I put on the board a while back? The email address I have for you (at deja.com) wasn't working the last couple of times I tried to email you. Something I said?
To all,
Seriously, I'm not a plagiarist. Whatever happened to ol' Larry 'Eagle-Eyes' Barbee, anyway?
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott |
Author: Christopher T George
Sunday, 05 August 2001 - 12:52 am | | Hi, Tom:
I notice you said on the other board that you did not have some of the earlier issues of Ripper Notes and you are welcome to purchase them. E-mail me at editorcg@yahoo.com. The Deja.com address does still work but has had some problems and will not be available after December 1 I now understand, so use the Yahoo address please!
Larry Barbee is a habitué of the chat room usually late at night around 11:00 pm Eastern US time but I agree is not seen often enough on these boards!
Chris |
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