Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper--Case Closed (62 page)

Sickert’s stage name when he was an actor was “Mr. Nemo” or “Mr. Nobody.” On this Ripper telegram to the police “Mr. Nobody” is crossed out.
Public Record Office, London.

Ripper letter with “R. St. w” initials at the bottom. Sickert sometimes used the initials “W” or “R” or “St.” Sometimes he was W. St. (Walter Sickert). Sometimes he was W (Walter), sometimes he was R (Richard). Is this a taunt?
Public Record Office, London.

A Ripper letter with the drawing of a knife blade. Small but sharp.

Public Record Office, London.

The Ripper displays his facility with Latin in this note, signed “Mathematicus.” Sickert was fluent in Latin, too, and known for his mathematical and scientific mind.
Public Record Office, London.

Ripper’s notorious “Ha Ha Ha” runs through dozens of his letters.

Public Record Office, London.

Note found in a bottle found on the shore between Deal and Sandwich, two towns across the Straits of Dover from Sickert’s beloved France.
Public Record Office, London.

The Lizard guest house in Cornwall today.
© Cornwell Enterprises.

Annotations and drawings in The Lizard guest book are believed to have been done by Sickert, possibly in October 1889. Sickert was quite familiar with Cornwall, and The Lizard was a haven for artists and the London upper class.
Collection of Patricia Cornwell.

Compare this drawing in a Ripper letter to the drawing in the guest book.
Public Record Office, London.

Drawing in The Lizard guest book believed to be by Sickert.

Collection of Patricia Cornwell.

Drawing of a “Pearly King” from a Ripper letter.

Public Record Office, London.

Left: The Lizard guest book. Right: a Ripper letter. Some art experts believe the two drawings were done by the same person and hint of Sickert’s technique. Sickert doodled, sometimes drawing what appear to be childish cartoons and stick figures. His father did sketches and scripts for Punch and Judy.

Left, Collection of Patricia Cornwell; right, Public Record Office, London.

Stick figures in a Sickert letter to Jacques-Emile Blanche.