Jack The Ripper - The Whitechapel Murderer

All of us are familiar in some part with the infamous Whitechapel Murders, and the legend that has become Jack The Ripper. But who was Jack The Ripper? And why are we fascinated by the Whitechapel Murders?

Jack is an almost mythical character - no-one knows who he was, and there are thousands of theories out there. Was it one man, or a gang? A medical man or a knowledgeable maniac? A man or a woman?

The only certain thing is that whoever he or they were they were almost the sickest and most disturbed killer in British History. And defiantly the most mysterious and successful uncaught serial killer/s.

I didn't really know where I was going when I started my Jack. He's one of those dolls I've always wanted to make, but one that I've always been uncertain of. Trying to decide how I would portray him was a nightmare in itself, let alone the nightmares I've been getting from the research - And I'm not easily frightened. The facts of these killings are horrendous, and I avoided the one I knew would upset me most before I could face it - poor Mary Kelly. I can't even start to imagine what would possess someone to carry out such an awful act as what was done to Mary. All the murders are awful, but for some reason this one always sticks with me.

As I started making my doll Jack took on a life of his own. I started out thinking I was making a scruffy, dishevelled dirty looking killer. But he's had other ideas and has turned into very much the imagined Victorian image of himself.

It's a very interesting history, and I'd highly recommend it if you can stomach the gruesome facts. Learning about the resources available to the police at that time really shows us how far we've come withing the last few hundred years. The lack of technology and technique available to them meant that unless a witness was found that could provide solid proof it was almost impossible to make an arrest in this kind of case. And Jack was an incredibly clever killer. At times he must have been stood right next to the police looking down at his own victim. Seamlessly blending in with all the other onlookers. Calculating, clever, cunning... Jack was the perfect killer. He knew what he wanted to do, and how to accomplish it without being caught or seen by anyone at all in one of the busiest parts of London.

Jack wears dark grey trousers and waistcoat over his white cotton underwear and shirt. His stiff white collar was attached separately, and he has a smart charcoal grey satin cravat. His double breasted coat is black with shiny buttons. And over all he has a cape overcoat to keep off the rain. On his head is a very tall top hat in black felt, and in his hand he carries the knife with which he carried out his dreadful murders.