Jack the Ripper letter blood stained 14 cm x 21cm from 1888

14 cm x 21cm from 1888

You will receive a nice color copy as seen in the picture of this letter.

The “Openshaw Letter”

• Date and Origin: The letter was postmarked October 9, 1888, and was addressed to Dr. Thomas Horrocks Openshaw, a pathologist at the London Hospital who had examined the kidney sent with the “From Hell” letter.
• Content: The letter was written on stationery decorated with a skeleton holding a knife and standing next to a coffin. 
• Significance: This letter is significant because it was sent directly to a medical professional involved in the investigation, which was unusual compared to other letters sent to the police or newspapers.
• Appearance: The stationery’s macabre decoration added to the chilling nature of the correspondence, contributing to the public’s fear and fascination with the case.

Historical Context

• Whitechapel Murders: The Whitechapel murders were a series of brutal killings in the East End of London in 1888, attributed to an unidentified serial killer known as Jack the Ripper. The murders were characterized by extreme violence and mutilation.
• Correspondence: During the investigation, the police and newspapers received numerous letters claiming to be from the killer. While many were dismissed as hoaxes, a few, like the “Dear Boss” letter, the “Saucy Jacky” postcard, and the “From Hell” letter, were taken more seriously due to their detailed content and timing.

Current Views

• Authenticity: The authenticity of the “Openshaw Letter,” like many other pieces of Ripper correspondence, remains debated. Some experts believe it could be genuine due to its specific references and timing, while others consider it a hoax.
• Forensic Analysis: Modern forensic techniques, such as handwriting analysis and linguistic studies, have been applied to some of the letters, but conclusive evidence linking any of them definitively to the actual killer has not been found.