A Virtual Conversation on Sherlock Holmes and Collecting

by Scott Monty January 26, 2022

“ These clever fellows have always a touch of madness.” [3GAB]

Earlier this week, The Grolier Club hosted a chat between two eminent bibliomanes as a live-streamed video.

Glen Miranker, BSI (“The Origin of Tree Worship”) sat down with Nicholas Basbanes, author of books about bibliomania and bibliophiles (A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books, Patience & Fortitude: A Roving Chronicle of Book People, Book Places, and Book Culture, and Among the Gently Mad: Strategies and Perspectives for the Book-Hunter in the 21st Century).

The two were there to discuss Miranker's collection, a portion of which is the featured exhibition on the ground floor of the Grolier Club, titled “Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects.”

The exhibition has been getting a good deal of press (deservedly so) that goes beyond the bookish:

We'll continue to add to the press coverage in our curated Flipboard magazine, which you can find at https://ihose.co/flipsherlock.

The conversation between Miranker and Basbanes lasted roughly 90 minutes (begins at the 28:00 mark) and includes questions from the audience, which Glen graciously answers. You can watch here:

A reminder that the exhibition runs through April 16, 2022 at The Grolier Club. Due to Covid-19 precautions, reservations are required. Arrangements to visit can be made at the Grolier Club website.

The Grolier has launched a site to explore the exhibition virtually as well.

And don't forget to pick up a copy of the exhibition catalog by Cathy and Glen Miranker, Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects.