Borowitz Crime Ephemera: Jack the Ripper collection

Finding Aid

Prepared by Cara Gilgenbach, December 17, 2003; Last Updated: December 2019

Inclusive Dates: 1888-2006
Extent:  3.33 cubic feet (1 record storage box, 2 oversized boxes, 2 document cases)
Physical Location: 11th and 12th floors

Scope and Content: This collection contains ephemeral material in a variety of genres and formats that are related to Jack the Ripper and other "Ripper"-style murderers. 

Acquisition Information: The collection was donated by Albert and Helen Borowitz.

Related Material: This collection complements a large number of books and other publications about Jack the Ripper held in the Borowitz Collection. See the Borowitz Collection gateway page "Books" section for a link to the Jack the Ripper book collection.

Arrangement: This collection is organized into the following series.

1. Artifacts
2. Comics and Graphic Novels
3. Dime Novels and Storypapers (facsimiles and reprints)]
4. Films and Related Material
5. Manuscripts
6. Maps
7. Newspapers (contemporaneous accounts)
8. Periodicals
9. Playbills and Other Materials Related to Theatrical Productions
10. Sheet Music
11. Subject Files (includes newspaper clippings and articles on various topics related to the case)
12. Sutcliffe, Peter ("The Yorkshire Ripper")
13. Miscellaneous ephemera
14. LPs

Artifacts

Physical Location: Filed in Oversize Box 1.

1. Items from Pub World Collectibles:

   • Bar coaster "Jack the Ripper London Bitter"
   • Packaged set (unopened) containing 10 bar coasters and bar towel for "Jack the Ripper Real Ale"
   • From the Famous British Pub Sign Collection: small, wooden pub sign "Courage, Jack the Ripper"
   • Key chain with bar sign image as described above
      
2. Necktie: a tie featuring five knives, to represent Jack the Ripper's five victims, cresting over the year 1888, [no date]

Comics and Graphic Novels

Physical Location: Filed in Box 1.

1. Jack the Ripper, Part 2. Newbury Park, CA: Eternity Comics, January 1990. Bruce Balfour, writer; Chris Jones, artist; Pat Brosseau, letterer; Chris Ulm, editor. 27pp.
    
2. Moore, Alan and Eddie Campbell. From hell, being a melodrama in sixteen parts. Northampton, MA: Mad Love Publishing, 1994. 16 chapters in 10 volumes.
    
3. Augustyn, Brian, et al. Gotham by Gaslight: An Alternative History of the Batman. London: DC Comics, 1989. 48pp. [Cover title: "A Tale of the Batman"]

Dime Novels and Storypapers

Physical Location: Filed in Box 1.

1. The History of the Whitechapel Murders: A Full and Authentic Narrative of the Above Murders, with Sketches. New York: Richard K. Fox, 1888. Facsimile, [circa 1997].
    
2. Hudson, Sam'l E., comp. "Leather Apron;" or the Horrors of Whitechapel, London, 1888. Philadelphia: Town Printing House, undated. Facsimile, undated.
    
3. Jack the Ripper: The Story of the Whitechapel Murders by a journalist who was specially engaged to investigate the crimes at the time they were committed. Published in four parts. Famous Crimes Past and Present (Police Budget Edition). Edited by Harold Furniss, [photocopy], undated.
    
4. Jack the Ripper; or The Whitechapel Fiend in America by the author of "Pat Nolan." Old Cap. Collier Library, No. 338. New York: Munro's Publishing House, February 18, 1889. Facsimile, [circa 1997].
    
5. Lawson, W. B. Jack the Ripper in New York; Or, Piping a Terrible Mystery. Log Cabin Library, No. 115. New York: Street & Smith, May 21, 1891. Facsimile, [circa 1997].
    
6. Robinson, Tom. The Whitechapel Horrors. Being an Authentic Account of Jack the Ripper Murders. Manchester: Daisy Bank Publishing, undated. Daisy Bank reprint.
    
7. The Whitechapel Murders: Or, On the Track of the Fiend by Detective Warren. Old Cap. Collier Library, No. 333. New York: Munro's Publishing House, December 31, 1888. Facsimile, [1998].

Films and Related Materials

Physical Location: Filed in Box 2, Oversized Box 1, and the map case
Restrictions on Use: The films in this collection are for research viewing purposes only.

1. Film: Deadly Advice. Starring Jane Horrocks. Directed by Mandie Fletcher. DVD release by Tango Entertainment, 2006. [Originally released in 1994.]
2. Film: The Diary of Jack the Ripper. Presented by Michael Winner. DVD release by Image Entertainment, 1999. [Originally released in 1993.]
3. Film: Drôle de drame. Directed by Marcel Carné. DVD release, Home Vision Entertainment, 2003. [Originally released in 1937; based on the novel His First Offence by J. Storer Clouston.]
4. Film: From Hell by Albert and Allen Hughes. DVD single-disc release, Fox Home Entertainment, 2002. [Originally released in 2001.]
5. Film: Jack the Ripper [4 Tales of the Supernatural]. Hosted by and starring Boris Karloff. Directed by David MacDonald. DVD release by Rhino Home Video, 2001. [Originally released in 1958.]
6. Film: Jack the Ripper. Directed by Robert Baker. DVD release, Incredibly Strange Filmworks. [Variant original release dates of 1958, 1959, 1960.]
7. Film: The Lodger. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Videocassette release, Timeless Video, 1994. [Originally released in 1926.]
8. Film: Man in the Attic. Starring Jack Palance. Directed by Hugo Fregonese. DVD release by Alpha Home Entertainment, 2006. [Originally released in 1953.]
9. Film: Murder by Decree. Directed by Bob Clark. Cover: "Can the Genius of Sherlock Holmes Stop the Terror of Jack the Ripper?" DVD release, Anchor Bay Entertainment, 2003 [includes special features and booklet with original movie poster reproduced in centerfold.] [Originally released in 1979.]
10. Film: Pandora's Box. Directed by G. W. Pabst. Starring Louise Brooks. Videocassette release, 1986. [Originally released in 1928 by Nero Films.] [Jack the Ripper appears in late scenes representing an evil greater than the film's primary villain "Lulu."]
11. Film: Time After Time. Directed by Nicholas Meyer. DVD release, Warner Home Video, 2002. [Originally released in 1979 by Warner Bros.]
12. Lobby card: Jack the Ripper, [1960] [one card, color]
    Physical Location: Filed in Oversize Box 1. 
13. Window card: The Lodger, [1944 version of the film; directed by John Brahm]
    Physical Location: Filed in the map case.

Manuscripts

Physical Location: Filed in Box 1.

1. 1894, Feb. 23. Macnaghten, M[elville] L. Memorandum [autograph document, signed (photocopy)]. 7p. [Written in response to The Sun's reporting on the Cutbush case.]
    
2. [1907?], Feb. 11. Macnaghten, M[elville] L. To [George] Sims. [autograph letter, signed]. 2 p. [on note paper with embossed stamp of Metropolitan Police Office]. Provides times, places, and descriptions of five murders attributed to Jack the Ripper.

Maps

Physical Location: Filed in the map case.

1. Sullivan, Daryl and Andrew Cockell. Jack's London: A unique 1880's map with period drawings which take you into the dark world of fog, gaslamps, alehouses, prostitution and….murder in Jack the Ripper's London. Surrey, England: Historic Maps by Geonex, 1993. "Map extract reproduced from original G.W. Bacon & Co. Map of London. Circa 1870."

Newspapers (contemporary accounts)

Physical Location: Filed in Oversize Box 2 and the map case.

1. The Times [London]. Monday, Sept. 10, 1888. Full issue, 16pp.
   Page 6 contains the article "Another Murder at the East-End" which describes the second Ripper murder (Mary Ann Nichols).
    
2. The Times [London]. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 1888. Full issue, 16p.
   Page 6 contains an article on "The Whitechapel Murders" and a report on an inquest into the death of Annie Chapman who had been found murdered on Saturday morning. There is also a letter to the editor in relation to the murders.
    
3. Illustrated London News. Sept. 22, 1888, pp. 351-352. 1 leaf.
   Page 351 contains four illustrations of "The London Poor: Sketches in a Common Lodging-House in Spitalfields." The four sketches are of "A Deputy of the Lodging-House Keeper," "A Professional Beggar," "A Regular Customer," and "Widowed and Fatherless." Page 352 contains a large illustration entitled "Sketches with the Police at the East End." Text below illustration comments on public fear as police continue to investigate the Whitechapel murders and conditions in London's East-End area.
    
4. Illustrated London News. Oct. 13, 1888, pp. 421-422. 1 leaf.
   Page 421 contains three illustrations captioned "Outcasts sleeping in sheds in Whitechapel," "Homeless," and "A Suspicious Character." Page 422 contains an article entitled "Outcasts at the East-End" related to the Ripper murders.
    
5. The Globe. Special Edition, February 14, 1891. "The Murders. The Police Believe 'Jack' Caught. Special Details. Inquest To-Day. To-Day's Football." News kiosk headline announcement. Printed in large type across pages 3 and 6. 1 leaf, 18.8" X 28.88," framed. 
   Physical Location: Filed in Oversize Box 2

Periodicals

Physical Location: Filed in Library Room 1214.

1. Ripperana: The Journal of Ripperology
    
2. Ripperologist (Note: first issue-"pilot issue"-is called Cloak and Dagger Club Newsletter)

Playbills and Other Materials Related to Theatrical Productions

Physical Location: Filed in Box 1.

1. Jack's Holiday (Mark St. Germain, book and Randy Courts, music).
   • Annotated in-progress script, 11/18/1994
   • Announcement postcard, 1995
   • Clippings, 1994-95
   • French's Musical Library Script, 1997
   • Music CD of songs from the musical, 1997
   • Playbills, 1995
      
2. Jack the Ripper: A New Musical. (Book and lyrics by Ron Pember and Denis De Marne, music by Ron Pember).
   • Announcement flyer (for Watford Operatic Society production), 1997
   • Playbill, Ambassadors Theater, September, 1974.
   • Vocal score published by Samuel French (1976)
      
3. Lulu. The Metropolitan Opera. Playbill. April, 1985.
    
4. Lulu. The Metropolitan Opera. 2001.
   • Playbill. April 21, 2001. [two copies].
   • Review of opera in New Criterion, June 2001.
      
5. No Way to Treat a Lady [Ripper-inspired musical]. Playbill. The York Theater Company, January 1997.
    
6. Redhead (Albert Hague, music and Dorothy Fields, lyrics)
   • Playbill, June 1, 1959
   • Program with information on the production, cast, and photographs of scenes from the musical
   • Script, published by MTI, [no date]
   • Vocal book, published by MTI, [no date]
   • Vocal score, published by Chappel & Co, [1959?]

Sheet Music

Physical Location: Filed in Box 1.

1. THE BALLAD OF JACK THE RIPPER from THE BALLAD OF JACK THE RIPPER AND OTHER GREAT COCKNEY SONGS VOL. 1. Horace Phlange and James Home (w) -- Thornton G. Roper (m). Southern Music Publishing Co., 1974. 2 pp.
    
2. Redhead [This is a stage musical featuring a variant of Jack the Ripper: a serial killer who preys on redheaded women. The Jack the Ripper collection includes a libretto and score from Redhead as well.]
   • LOOK WHO'S IN LOVE. Dorothy Fields (w) -- Albert Hague (m). Chappell Co., Inc., 5221-3. New York: 1959. 3 pp. Cover text: Robert Fryer and Lawrence Carr present Gwen Verdon in Redhead, a musical comedy.
   • MY GIRL IS JUST ENOUGH WOMAN FOR ME. Dorothy Fields (w) -- Albert Hague (m). Chappell Co., Inc., New York: 1958. 5 pp. Photocopy.
   • MY GIRL IS JUST ENOUGH WOMAN FOR ME. Dorothy Fields (w) -- Albert Hague (m). Chappell Co., Inc., 5207-5. New York: 1959. 5 pp.
   • THE RIGHT FINGER OF MY LEFT HAND. Dorothy Fields (w) -- Albert Hague (m). Chappell Co., Inc., 5256-3. New York: 1959. 3 pp.
   • TWO FACES IN THE DARK. Dorothy Fields (w) -- Albert Hague (m). Chappell Co., Inc., 5208-3. New York: 1959. 3 pp.
   • TWO FACES IN THE DARK. Dorothy Fields (w) -- Albert Hague (m). Chappell Co., Inc., 5208-3. New York: 1959. 3 pp.

Subject Files

Physical Location: Filed in Box 1.

1. Centennial of Ripper murders, 1988
2. Clarence, Duke of (Prince "Eddy") [Ripper suspect]
3. Cloak and Dagger Club [publisher of Ripperologist]
4. Cornwell, Patricia. Portrait of a Killer, 2002. [see also Sickert, Walter file]
5. From Hell [motion picture], 2001
6. Jack the Ripper, general articles
7. Jack the Ripper [ITV television show; factual account of the murders of 1888 starring Michael Caine as Inspector Abberline, investigating the case], 1988
8. Kazuck, Deborah [attempted murder with hatchet; claimed she was "the mother of Jack the Ripper"], 1990
9. Kosminski, Aaron [Ripper suspect]
10. Maybrick, James [Ripper suspect]
11. Maybrick, Michael (alias "Stephen Adams") [composer, brother of Ripper suspect James Maybrick]
12. "Polish-Jew Theory" [Ripper suspect]
13. Ripper literature [book reviews]
14. Ripper suspects [in general]
15. Ripperologists
16. Scotland Yard case files
17. "Secret Diaries" of Jack the Ripper [hoax]
18. Sickert, Walter [actor, artist, Ripper suspect]
19. Stephenson, Robert Donstun [occultist, surgeon, Ripper suspect]

Sutcliffe, Peter ("The Yorkshire Ripper")

Physical Location: Filed in Box 3.

1. Press clippings on Peter Sutcliffe assembled into five volumes, 1981

Miscellaneous Ephemera

Physical Location: Filed in Box 1 and Oversize Box 1.

1. Board game: Jack the Ripper: The Mystery Game of the Whitechapel Murders of 1888, A Game for Two Players. New York, NY: Aulic Council Publishing, 1983. [Includes: "The Map," "The Advantage Cards," "The Suspect Cards," "The Ripper Playing Pieces," "The Police Playing Pieces," "Corpse Counters," a six-sided die, and other counters used in connection with various cards. Errata slip and game catalog flyer of publisher also included]. 
2. Brochure: "Jack the Ripper." Ripping Yarns Ltd touring company, undated.
3. Brochure: "Jack the Ripper, Thames Terror Cruise, & Dinner with Sherlock Holmes." Premium Tours, [2004?]
4. Brochure: "On the Trail of Jack the Ripper." "London's premier Jack the Ripper Walking Tour Experience, 1993.
5. Dealer catalogs: Clifford Elmer Books. "Jack the Ripper," 88/4.
6. Dealer catalogs: Grey House Books. Catalogs with Ripper books, 1994-98.
7. Dealer catalogs: Rupert Books, no. 31, 35.

LPs

Physical Location: Filed in Box 4.

1. Lulu, Orchestre del L'Opera de Paris, 1979.
2. Lulu, Vienna State Opera, [undated].
3. Lulu, The Hamburg State Opera, 1968.
4. Jack the Ripper, Original Soundtrack, 1959.
5. Redhead, Original Cast Recording, (Features a Strangler character), 1959.