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The Dracula Scrapbook
Book by Haining, Peter
Hardcover
First published December 1, 1992
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About the author
Peter Haining
331 books99 followersPeter Alexander Haining was an English journalist, author and anthologist who lived and worked in Suffolk. Born in Enfield, Middlesex, he began his career as a reporter in Essex and then moved to London where he worked on a trade magazine before joining the publishing house of New English Library.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 5, 2019
I'm so glad I found this little gem in a second-hand store! Was a brilliant read indeed
September 26, 2009
As the title states, a scrapbook, filled with images of newspaper clippings, comics, movie posters, woodcuts, programs from plays, and photos of all manner of Dracula- and other vampire-related moments. The illustrations make it a delight simply to flip through. The majority of the text is composed of articles from magazines and newspapers, much of which would be difficult to find elsewhere. It provides a comprehensive coverage of Dracula's changing image up until the time of this book's publication.
Not to be confused with the book by the same editor and with the same title which was published in 1992 - that one's actually a reprint of The Dracula Centenary Book which seems to have been renamed just to confuse people.
Not to be confused with the book by the same editor and with the same title which was published in 1992 - that one's actually a reprint of The Dracula Centenary Book which seems to have been renamed just to confuse people.
October 2, 2023
The Dracula myth continues to hold public imagination. With this little book the author completely satisfies the interest in vampires. You'll learn about the history of the legend (locations in Whitby and Wallachia), the parents of Dracula, the master of the undead himself (even Jack Palance acted as Dracula in 1973), tales of the vampire hunter Van Helsing, the Bloofer Ladies, Transylvanian superstitions and the Dracula films. He inserted many spooky black and white photos and posters. If you are a fan of Dracula you definitely should have a look into this volume. Highly recommended!
February 4, 2022
This book looks chock full of pictures and information concerning everything that's gone on with Dracula since Stoker's publication of his original novel in 1897. If you're a fan of Stoker's story, this book would probably be a great one to add to your collection of Dracula books.
November 27, 2021
A good little book if you like vampires. Nice collection of 20th Century illustrations - mostly from movies.
August 13, 2009
Totallllly cool...I love it...great reference to the classics.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews