Was Lobby Ludd a real person?

[airbolt]

There used to be a newspaper competition which involved members of the public walking up to a Chap called Lobby Ludd and saying " You are Lobby Ludd and I claim my �5 " This is solely based on vague childhood memories- what was the challenge ? Was he wearing a Beard or something? Any info anyone?

[bennynorules]

I also remember this. I understand that it was a device used by a popular newspaper of the day (Daily Mirroer rings a bell) to whip up sales. They printed Lobby's wherabouts and the readers then had to identify him. This was typically in bust seaside resorts like Brighton. Hope this is right! I'm pretty certain it is something very similar to this, although I was given the explanation a long time ago.

[bennynorules]

Now I am confused. Seems the Lobby Ludd scenario was also a sub plot in Graham Greene's 'Brighton Rock. However, I have also read accounts from real people of chasing a 'Lobby Ludd' in Skegness just after WW2. Not sure now if this IS an urban myth after all. Will watch this space with interest.

[Ewood27]

As I recall, the paper (Mail?) printed a picture of this distinctively dressed character and his whereabouts for the day (as you say, bnr, often a seaside place). You had to be carrying a copy of that day's paper and challenge him as airbolt says.

So yes, to that extent he was a real person, but I have a feeling that come 5 o'clock they'd decided they wouldn't sell any more papers to would-be challengers, so Lobby Ludd took off his distinctive features and became a normal human again!

[paulz]

It was the daily mirror, during summer months at seaside resorts, wearing various disguises. To claim your �5 you had to have that day's Mirror on you [and get the right bloke too] Perhaps the Mirror archives can help you

[airbolt]

Thanks Everyone! Perhaps Answerbank should send someone to the seaside who would only respond to the phrase " Tuck Your Blanks into Your Blanks " ! ( See recent spate of said question ! )

[rinkytink]

Bit of background info:

Lobby Ludd

[firefly]

It used to be something you said to someone when finding them. A Luddite was a criminal I believe.

[maxi29]

The Lobby Ludd character in Brighton Rock is known as Kolley Kibber. The principle was slightly different there as he left calling cards at different places - but then the plot hinged on that.

[thimble]

The general thread of the previous answers are correct, but as i recall , it was the Daily Sketchwho dispatched this bloke to variuos seaside resorts with a disguise. When challenged with the phrase " you are Lobby Ludd and i claim my Daily Sketch I Spy Prize" , whilst carrying the paper, he would award you with � 5.00.  I saw him in Cromer in 1959 !

[Squiggler]

This was started in 1927 by the Westminster Gazette, and the name is derived from "Lobby" (Westminster) and "Lud" from the Ludgate Hill telegraphic address of the newspaper. The Westminster Gazette was taken over by the Dail News the following year, which ran it until 1935. Other newspapers subsequently ran similar schemes. There is a BBC radio show on the phenomenon (episode 1 of Stuntz with Steve Punt). See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobby_Lud

[Big Alk]

My father once took a walking journey with his father in the pouring rain. Half way along, my father spotted Lobby Ludd sheltering in a door way. He persuaded my Grandad to buy a Daily Mail and on the way back approached Lobby and said "I name you Lobby Ludd and claim my �5 prize". Lobby looked down on him and said "****** off". My Dad persisted and Lobby said "Look, I`m cold and wet and tired and I`m not giving you no fiver. Now ****** off". My Grandad came up and Lobby said "Who are you."
"I`m the lads father". And Lobby said "Well you can ****** off as well", and they never got their fiver. That was in 1937.

[JillP]

I remember the ads for this chap. In the 'Sixties, I remember when going to the seaside, we would get to say Rhyll and see a billboard proclaiming that Lobby Ludd was in town. He would be portrayed, as I remember, wearing something like a wide-boy jacket with the collar turned up, a trilby hat and dark glasses. Very inconspicious he would be amongst the holiday crowds of the day. It was as stated in the originally question, if you saw him you were to walk up to him, say, "You are Lobby Ludd and I claim my five pounds." However, as I remember, you had to have the latest edition of the Daily Mirror in your possesion and you were to tap the chap on the shoulder with it. We only ever saw the blighter on the billboard and never in person.

[bobbyp2]

It was the Daily Sketch, but the whole idea was based around the fact that an escaped prisoner had travelled around Britain for over a year, even though he was infamous for having escaped from Her Majesty's gaols several times. The name I think was Alfie Hinds