'Who is the Great American Doctor? To the townspeople of Liverpool'
Date(s): 10 February 1875
Creator(s): Liverpool Lantern
Scope & Content: Poster promoting forthcoming publication of a pamphlet to be entitled 'Passages in the Life of Dr. Francis Tumblety'. In the poster's explanatory text, signed by Tumblety (self styled, 'The American Doctor'), he declares, 'It is hoped, and confidently believed, that this pamphlet will re-instate me into public favour amongst the inhabitants of Liverpool'. The tone is one of indignant defence against a public attack on him.
Published at the temporary offices of the 'Liverpool Lantern', Warrington Chambers, 2 South Castle Street, Liverpool. Black text on yellow paper.
Administration / Biographical History: Francis Tumblety (c. 1833– 28 May 1903) was an Irish-born American medical quack who earned a small fortune posing as an 'Indian Herb' doctor throughout the United States and Canada. He was an eccentric self-promoter and was often in trouble with the law. He has been put forward as a suspect for the notorious and unsolved Jack the Ripper murder spree in Whitechapel, London in 1888 (Wiki).
This poster was retained by Sir Thomas Henry Hall Caine to whom Tumblety wrote (letters dated the mid 1870s from Tumblety are in the papers of Hall Caine, MS 09542).
Language: eng
Extent: 76 x 51 cm
Item name: poster
Collection: Print & Poster Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: P.6390/11
Record class: Private
Subject tags : #MM100