Mothers in the Sherlock Holmes Stories

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> "by the memory of your dear mother" [GLOR]</h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZjFDKIffOIxlh6RbYrm_Gcu4xwyzJbwx6SGnBkLhz1ZCk8PL0zxonxyxFlbEBllQ65DU2bUPT8D9bxFq35fcQieArYYt_FR7dcvCg7YLrjLnA2rsZupOzuxfGZuH_Yv1oyB66cO6b1ID/s1600/Mrs.+McFarlane+%5BNORW%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The unhappy mother of the unhappy John Hector McFarlane [NORW]" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZjFDKIffOIxlh6RbYrm_Gcu4xwyzJbwx6SGnBkLhz1ZCk8PL0zxonxyxFlbEBllQ65DU2bUPT8D9bxFq35fcQieArYYt_FR7dcvCg7YLrjLnA2rsZupOzuxfGZuH_Yv1oyB66cO6b1ID/s1600/Mrs.+McFarlane+%5BNORW%5D.jpg" title="Mrs. McFarlane - The Norwood Builder" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> A happy Mother's Day to all of the Sherlockian mothers out there. Parental figures in the Sherlock Holmes stories are a mixed bag (listen to <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose43" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 43: Fathers in the Canon</a> for paternal examples), and in looking for maternal examples, we discovered that there were a good number of people who lost their mothers within the 60 tales.<br /> <br /> Many of these these motherless children had tragic and heart-wrenching descriptions of their situation. Of note:<br /> <ul> <li>Lucy Ferrier, who was near death in the Great Alkalai Plain<span style="font-style: italic;"></span>, stating "as long as we die we'll be with mother again." [<a href="http://camdenhouse.ignisart.com/canon/stud-201.htm" style="color: #000066; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">STUD</a>]</li> <li>Mary Morstan, who returned to England when her father was stationed in the Indian army: "my mother was dead, and I had no relative in England." [<a href="http://camdenhouse.ignisart.com/canon/sign-02.htm" style="color: #000066; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">SIGN</a>]</li> <li>Julia Stoner, step-daughter of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, stated "Shortly after our return to England my mother died - she was killed eight years ago in a railway accident near Crewe." [<a href="http://camdenhouse.ignisart.com/canon/spec.htm" style="color: #000066; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">SPEC</a>]</li> <li>Violet Hunter sought Sherlock Holmes' perspective on her strange experience with Jephro Rucastle, saying "I have no parents or relations of any sort from whom I could ask advice..." [<a href="http://camdenhouse.ignisart.com/canon/copp.htm" style="color: #000066; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">COPP</a>]</li> </ul> Not to mention mothers who had to bear the unthinkable: the death of a child. Coincidentally, the examples here - just off the top of our head - are all shooting victims.<br /> <ul> <li>The mother of the Hon. Ronald Adair, felled by Col. Moran's bullet. [<a href="http://camdenhouse.ignisart.com/canon/empt.htm" style="color: #000066; font-weight: bold;">EMPT</a>]</li> <li>William Kirwan's mother, who was put into shock that "has made her half-witted." [<a href="http://camdenhouse.ignisart.com/canon/reig.htm" style="color: #000066; font-weight: bold;">REIG</a>]</li> <li>Arthur Cadogan West's mother, described as "the bereaved mother. The old lady was too dazed with grief to be of any use to us..." [<a href="http://camdenhouse.ignisart.com/canon/bruc.htm" style="color: #000066; font-weight: bold;">BRUC</a>]</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">“Just a trifle more” [SCAN]</h3></div><div>For more discussion along these lines, <a href="https://ihose.co/trifles19" target="_blank">Episode 19 of Trifles</a> was all about Mothers in the Canon:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" data-dashlane-frameid="703" data-dashlane-rid="34f09d984bd8f477" data-form-type="other" height="192" mozallowfullscreen="true" msallowfullscreen="true" oallowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5344516/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/d3fbf3/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes" style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="100%"></iframe><br /></div><div><br /></div> And we all know how influential Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's mother was in his life - from inspiring him to write "The Copper Beeches," to being a lasting influence on his love life. We learned a good deal more about the influence of "the Mam" in <i><a href="http://amzn.to/1JzDTpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters</a></i>, edited Daniel Stashower and Jon Lellenberg, which <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose13" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">you can hear on Episode 13</a>.<div><br /></div><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" data-dashlane-frameid="796" data-dashlane-rid="256cfe6c41fde7f0" data-form-type="other" height="192" mozallowfullscreen="true" msallowfullscreen="true" oallowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/1114957/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/6c442c/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes" style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="100%"></iframe> <br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> So be good to your mother for Mother's Day. Or honor her memory by doing something of which she would have approved. </div><div><br /></div><div> And for God's sake, lock up the firearms.<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br /></div>

Mothers in the Sherlock Holmes Stories

"by the memory of your dear mother" [GLOR] A happy Mother's Day to all of the Sherlockian mothers out there. Parental fi...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Take the 2006 BSJ Survey

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> "We continued our systematic survey" [PRIO]</h4> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>As part of an effort to understand what is important to our readers, we'd like to gauge your level of enthusiasm and interest in the various features in <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/" style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 102); font-weight: bold;">The Baker Street Journal</a>. On the right, you'll notice a new poll. With this tool or through your comments below, you can help us be more informed as to the Sherlockian content that you prefer or would like to see.<br /> <br /> As Sherlock Holmes remarked in '<a href="http://camdenhouse.ignisart.com/canon/copp.htm" style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 102); font-weight: bold;">The Copper Beeches</a>,'<br /> <blockquote> “Data! data! data! I can’t make bricks without clay.”</blockquote> <blockquote> </blockquote> So how about it? Give us your clay.<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br />

Take the 2006 BSJ Survey

"We continued our systematic survey" [PRIO] As part of an effort to understand what is important to our readers, we'd like ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

What's in the Spring 2006 Issue of the Baker Street Journal

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> "It was too bad to spring it on you like this," [NAVA]</h4> <br /> "but Watson will tell you that I can never resist a touch of the dramatic."<br /> <br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">[dramatic pause]</span><br /> <br /> The Spring 2006 <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Baker Street Journal</span></a> is on its way!<br /> <br /> Some choice items you'll find in the latest issue include:<br /> <ul> <li>A recap of the 2006 BSI Weekend festivities</li> <li>Paul Singleton's "From Sodality to Sardines" examines the first location of a BSI function: the Hotel Duane.</li> <li>Al Silverstein and Marie Ventura embark on "The Search for Forbidden Knowledge" by exploring Holmes, Moriarty and the Faust legend with some mental calesthetics.</li> <li>Jon Lellenberg promotes a scion society's aversion to self-promotion in "An Old Campaigner" as his mission is accomplished.</li> <li>Sonia Fetherston draws parallels between Lewis Carroll's and Conan Doyle's efforts in "Shoscombe Through the Looking Glass"</li> <li>The usual assortment from the Editor's Commonplace Book, some terrace-standing, and the Baker Street Inventory.</li> </ul> On <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/" style="color: #33ff33; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 102);">The Baker Street Journal</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 102);"> website</span></a> you'll find the featured article of this quarter (which one will it be?...), as well as the latest Editor's Gaslamp.<br /> <br /> You might be interested in a couple of improvements we've added to the BSJ website. First is a set of <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/pages/907704/index.htm" style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 102); font-weight: bold;">Frequently Asked Questions</a> (FAQs). If you have additional questions that you think should be listed, please use the comments section below to add yours.<br /> <br /> Also, following on the reintroduction of "Letters to Baker Street," in the printed pages of the Journal, we have added a section on the <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/pages/506772/index.htm" style="color: #000066; font-weight: bold;">Current Issue</a> page for submitting your letters to the editor.<br /> <br /> We always want to know what you think - of the Journal, of the blog - the sky's the limit. <a href="mailto:%20bakerstreetblog@gmail.com" style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 102); font-weight: bold;">Drop us a line</a> or make a comment below. And as always, enjoy your Journal!<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br />

What's in the Spring 2006 Issue of the Baker Street Journal

"It was too bad to spring it on you like this," [NAVA] "but Watson will tell you that I can never resist a touch of the dr...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Giving a Toast at a Sherlockian Gathering of Note

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> "What is the meaning of it Watson?" [CARD]</h4> As I reflected on Mike Whelan's comments at the Copper Beeches meeting regarding Sherlockian fellowship, it made me think back to a toast I was asked to give at the 2003 Dinner of the Baker Street Irregulars.<br /> <br /> In October 2002, I received a phone call by a fellow BSI asking me to give a toast at the BSI dinner - a tall order for a recently investitured Irregular. I immediately and effusively answered, "Sure, I'd be honored to give a toast. Who will I be toasting?" The answer followed:<br /> <blockquote> "Sherlock Holmes."</blockquote> Gulp. The Big One. The persona who represents why we're all gathering year after year. What could I, a young thirty-something Irregular say that had not been said by much greater Sherlockians than myself? By Christopher Morley, Edgar W. Smith, Isaac Asimov, Julian Wolff, Rex Stout, William Baring-Gould, etc.?<br /> <br /> I remembered that Christopher Morley's called the Canon <a href="http://www.diogenes-club.com/shlibrary6.htm" style="color: #000066;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A Textbook of Friendship</span></a><span style="color: #000066;">,</span> which further reminded me that I have forged many friends while in the pursuit of this unique pasttime. Then, reaching into my musical bag of tricks, I applied the music from the 1946 song <a href="http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2306" style="color: #000066;">"The House I Live In"</a> (made popular <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xejnzc_the-house-i-live-in-1945_shortfilms" target="_blank">by Frank Sinatra</a>) and applied it to the following lyrics.<br /> <br /> <center> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gfm2l3GcVXw" width="560"></iframe></center> <br /> <h4> The Canon I Read</h4> <blockquote> What is Sherlock Holmes to me?<br /> A pipe, a cap, or the man I see<br /> A certain word: elementary<br /> What is Sherlock Holmes to me?<br /> <br /> The Canon I read,<br /> A flat on Baker Street,<br /> Lestrade and Mrs. Hudson,<br /> Or the people that I meet.<br /> <br /> The scion in my hometown,<br /> The faces that I see,<br /> All races and religions,<br /> That's Sherlock Holmes to me.<br /> <br /> The papers I write,<br /> The quizzes that I take,<br /> The journal I subscribe to,<br /> Or the toasts I have to make.<br /> <br /> Wonter, Cushing, Rathbone,<br /> Brett, Gillette and Lee,<br /> And Paget’s many portraits,<br /> That's Sherlock Holmes to me.<br /> <br /> The things I see about me,<br /> The big things and the small,<br /> Each one provides a ref’rence<br /> To a tale that I recall.<br /> <br /> Napoleons and vampires,<br /> The thumbs of engineers,<br /> And the dream that's been a growing<br /> For a hundred twenty years<br /> <br /> Our dear old Wiggins,<br /> The weekend filled with food,<br /> The final cocktail party<br /> Is a fine way to conclude.<br /> <br /> The Band, the Pips, the Beeches,<br /> Irregulars I see;<br /> It’s especially the people<br /> That's Sherlock Holmes to me.</blockquote> <br /> And so it is with many of us involved in the Game. The scholarship, the mental sparring and such are all invigorating, but it's the relationships with each other that make this hobby one of the most enjoyable of any I can imagine.<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br />

Giving a Toast at a Sherlockian Gathering of Note

"What is the meaning of it Watson?" [CARD] As I reflected on Mike Whelan's comments at the Copper Beeches meeting regarding ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Philadelphia Sherlockians

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> "we would fly together to Philadelphia" [VALL] </h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDT9yRuMmFecjcctVfI8SqG1cS14D7oPcOyisTzaNwO3JLXGT_OsniFnp_yFhQd-gUCpC-CMSNGfgon3wXdtQBgbqlNAJewyNxAeEHZdEOOUCyjvou0bW2ZRj_0AROLOM8I2DX8TqmlzE/s1600/Copper_beech_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDT9yRuMmFecjcctVfI8SqG1cS14D7oPcOyisTzaNwO3JLXGT_OsniFnp_yFhQd-gUCpC-CMSNGfgon3wXdtQBgbqlNAJewyNxAeEHZdEOOUCyjvou0bW2ZRj_0AROLOM8I2DX8TqmlzE/s1600/Copper_beech_logo.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> On a personal note, we had occasion to visit Philadelphia and attend a dinner of the <a href="http://sonsofthecopperbeeches.homestead.com/" style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 102); font-weight: bold;">Sons of the Copper Beeches</a>, a 60 year-old scion society that is thriving under the able leadership of Headmastiff Gideon Hill, BSI.<br /> <br /> Among those in attendance was Michael Whelan, the "Wiggins" (the titular head) of the Baker Street Irregulars. Mike made some great remarks about Sherlockians and the Great Game that are worth paraphrasing here. Among them:<br /> <blockquote> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">A general truth:</span> at times, we take the Game seriously, but as a rule, Sherlockians generally enjoy themselves. One thing all scion societies have in common, whether they are six decades or six months old, is the desire for fellowship - that quiet confidence and satisfaction that we engage in a common interest.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">An observation:</span> that with over 400 Sherlockian/Holmesian societies worldwide, over 300 of them are in the United States. Why is it that more than 70% of the world's Sherlockian groups are in our backyard?<br /> <br /> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">A reminder:</span> the Baker Street Irregulars is not simply a group of people who gather once a year for a dinner in New York. The BSI are not "Jupiter descending," as Holmes once referred to Mycroft coming to Baker Street - they are people in your midst at every meeting; Sherlockians, like you, who have a sincere interest in the stories and in each other.</blockquote> We can highly recommend Philadelphia and its Sherlockians. The next time you're in town, consider getting in touch with Gideon Hill. You won't regret it.<br /> <br /> Related is <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose18">Episode 18: The Sons of the Copper Beeches</a><br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" height="90" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/1115014/height/90/theme/custom/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/87A93A/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="100%"></iframe><br /> <br /> --<br /> <br />

Philadelphia Sherlockians

"we would fly together to Philadelphia" [VALL]  On a personal note, we had occasion to visit Philadelphia and attend a dinne...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

"Let us take it link by link." [WIST]

Peter Blau has graciously allowed us permission to post the HTML links from his monthly newsletter, <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" href="http://members.cox.net/sherlock1/scuttle.htm">Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press</a>. Below are the links from his latest issue.<br /><br /><ul><li>Mozilla's <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" href="http://www.mycroft.mozdev.org/">Mycroft collection</a> of browser plug-ins</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bsitrust.org/">The Baker Street Irregulars Trust</a></li><li>Request a copy of the Sherlockian Times e-newsletter at <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" href="http://www.sherlock-holmes.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">Classic Specialties</span></a></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" href="http://www.mcphee.com/categories/action.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Action figures from Archie McPhee</span></a> - Holmes, Wilde, Poe, Houdini, Shakespeare, Wagner and more!</li><li style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal;">Laurie R. King's</span><a href="http://www.laurierking.com/events.php"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">tour schedule</span></a></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">An account of the George Edalji case: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.theplebeian.net/books_cdtps.php">Conan Doyle and the Parson's Son</a></span></span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" href="http://www.geocities.com/poppub/#BNT12-#13"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"The Amazing Adventure of Old Marvel"</span></a> in <span style="font-style: italic;">Blood & Thunder - </span>possibly an early influence on Conan Doyle</span></span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" href="http://www.malicedomestic.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Malice Domestic</span></a> - the current conference is over, but check for </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">future dates</span></span></li><li><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" href="http://www.funimation.com/">"Case Closed"</a> - the English-language version of "Meitantei Conan"</li><li style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><a href="http://www.murder-rooms.com/"><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">Murder Rooms</span></a></li><li><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" href="http://www.neillhartley.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Sherlock Holmes and the Speckled Band"</span></a> - a one-man play by Neill Hartley<br /></li><li><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.zippythepinhead.com/">Zippy the Pinhead</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span>- featuring Gillette Castle on June 25, 2000, July 31, 2002, and October 18, 2002 (one featured below)</li></ul><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/1600/Zippy%20073102.1.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/320/Zippy%20073102.0.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>

"Let us take it link by link." [WIST]

Peter Blau has graciously allowed us permission to post the HTML links from his monthly newsletter, Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press . ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

The Sherlockian Calendar on Google

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> "The date being—?" asked Holmes [CREE]</h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfXSNZ9_LwKI73NDkJ4UJT5roT9SnokWUbILq3mWD7ctWYsQDdt-S_kapp_N5BW8k3fY1sKZBglg3ofJQwnVbWCoBdN74FYDpwEuBudGWBaHE5Iz5uR9BzwElUAVA3_KBeJYw-bpr2ZSw/s1600/calendar-1763587_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="1280" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfXSNZ9_LwKI73NDkJ4UJT5roT9SnokWUbILq3mWD7ctWYsQDdt-S_kapp_N5BW8k3fY1sKZBglg3ofJQwnVbWCoBdN74FYDpwEuBudGWBaHE5Iz5uR9BzwElUAVA3_KBeJYw-bpr2ZSw/s640/calendar-1763587_1280.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Ron Fish has been keeping a <a href="http://sherlockiancalendar.homestead.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Sherlockian Calendar</a> for some time — a very useful reference for those who travel or simply would like to keep track of local events.<br /> <br /> Well now, thanks to <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/personal_technology.html?mod=djemptech" style="font-weight: bold;">developments at Google</a>, we have now given the calendar an interactive design - take a look at <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/feeds/sherlockian.calendar@gmail.com/public/full">Sherlockian events laid out in a calendar format</a>. You can choose to look at a day, week or month at a time, or list all events in an agenda-like layout.<br /> <br /> If you have a Gmail account, you can search the public calendars for "Sherlockian" and find ours, which is publicly available, and add it to your list of calendars. Once there, you can note your intention to attend meetings, invite others to meetings, and find useful email addresses and links.<br /> <br /> If you would like to be able to add your own events, <a href="mailto:%20bakerstreetblog@gmail.com" style="font-weight: bold;">contact us</a> and we'll add you to the list of approved editors of events. The more editors we have, the better the calendar will be!<br /> <br /> If you don't have a gmail account, you are still able to be invited to meetings by others. And if you have a feedreader, you can <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/feeds/sherlockian.calendar@gmail.com/public/basic" style="font-weight: bold;">add the Sherlockian Calendar to your feeds</a> by dropping this link into your reader.<br /> <br /> Please let us know what you think of this new feature!<br /> <br />

The Sherlockian Calendar on Google

"The date being—?" asked Holmes [CREE] Ron Fish has been keeping a Sherlockian Calendar for some time — a very useful refere...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

"Is He Not the Celebrated Author...?" [VALL]

A new site focused on the Literary Agent, called <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.siracd.com/">The Chronicles of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</a> is up and running. It features a Conan Doyle quote of the day, a store called the Baker Street Bazaar, and sections on Doyle's life and works.<br /><br />The coolest feature is the ability to <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.siracd.com/cards.shtml">send Sherlock Holmes e-cards</a> with Canonical quotes. There are holiday and birthday themes, and just general occasion options.<br /><br />While you're at it, two other excellent Conan Doyle sites are the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.ash-tree.bc.ca/acdsocy.html">Arthur Conan Doyle Society</a> and the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.acdfriends.org/">Friends of the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection</a> at the Toronto Public Library.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.siracd.com/"><br /></a>

"Is He Not the Celebrated Author...?" [VALL]

A new site focused on the Literary Agent, called The Chronicles of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is up and running. It features a Conan Doyle quo...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Discovering Sherlock Holmes at Stanford University

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> "These little records of our cases which you have been good enough to draw up" [COPP] </h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPfTtKCw7Rq0p2vlpZ2R6biHcOB5tQuzcVnp6RnS-fFYF6k6O9913PUtC9PIvQHhkdUyFXPtqRDGXWe5tDLYuPqI0sOhrOKngLvfA7m4iSaRfxhAMRhg7nptAqvrMETqzB6HTJCdgLRDV/s1600/Stanford+University+Sherlock+Holmes+project.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPfTtKCw7Rq0p2vlpZ2R6biHcOB5tQuzcVnp6RnS-fFYF6k6O9913PUtC9PIvQHhkdUyFXPtqRDGXWe5tDLYuPqI0sOhrOKngLvfA7m4iSaRfxhAMRhg7nptAqvrMETqzB6HTJCdgLRDV/s640/Stanford+University+Sherlock+Holmes+project.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Stanford University is sponsoring a <a href="http://sherlockholmes.stanford.edu/index.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Discovering Sherlock Holmes</a> project, in which they seek to recreate the atmosphere of the publication of the original stories. From their web site:<br /> <blockquote> Over 12 weeks from January through April 2006, Stanford will be republishing, free of charge, two early Holmes stories, "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "The Speckled Band"; the nine-part novel, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hound of the Baskervilles</span>; and the famous "last" encounter between Holmes and Moriarty, "The Final Problem."</blockquote> Since it is now mid-April, it is too late to collect the paper versions of the stories; but <a href="http://sherlockholmes.stanford.edu/readings1.html" style="font-weight: bold;">they are available as PDF files</a> on the Stanford web site, along with extensive reading notes for each issue.<br /> <br /> In addition, there is a good deal of information about <a href="http://sherlockholmes.stanford.edu/biography.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Conan Doyle</a> and the <a href="http://sherlockholmes.stanford.edu/history.html" style="font-weight: bold;">era in which Holmes lived</a>.<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br />

Discovering Sherlock Holmes at Stanford University

"These little records of our cases which you have been good enough to draw up" [COPP]  Stanford University is sponsoring a Di...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Silver Blaze Rides Again

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> "a prime favourite with the racing public" [SILV]</h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/1600/SILV.2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/320/SILV.2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></div> <br /> It's official! The Baker Street Irregulars will sponsor a running of the <a href="http://camdenhouse.ignisart.com/canon/silv.htm" style="font-weight: bold;">Silver Blaze</a> on July 29, 2006 at the <a href="http://www.nyra.com/saratoga/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saratoga Racetrack</span></a>. What's the Silver Blaze, you ask? The BSI's involvement with this race extends over five decades and was documented in the 2000 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual, <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/pages/907700/index.htm" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">History of the Silver Blaze</span></a>, by Wayne Swift, BSI.<br /> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> Arrangements have been finalized with the <a href="http://www.nyra.com/saratoga/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New York State</span></a><a href="http://www.nyra.com/saratoga/"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Racing Association</span></a>. There will be a buffet luncheon at the Paddock Tent (an attractive venue overlooking the grassy sward where the horses are walked just prior to the race) for a maximum of 60 people. There are also seats available in the Grandstand, for those who wish to view the action "in the flesh."</div> <br /> In addition, there will be a buffet brunch and program on Sunday, July 30 at 10:00 a.m.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost per person: $115</span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">This includes admission to the track, buffet luncheon on 7/29 and brunch on 7/30.</span><br /> <br /> Make checks payable to <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Baker Street Irregulars</span> and send to:<br /> Lou Lewis<br /> 2 Loockerman Ave.<br /> Poughkeepsie, NY 12601<br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Accommodations:</span><br /> A block of rooms has been reserved at the <a href="http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/1/en/hd/jntny" style="font-weight: bold;">Johnstown Holiday Inn</a> at the rate of $105.95/night, plus tax. Contact them at 1-800-HOLIDAY and give them the code IRR. Please reserve before June 28.<br /> <br /> This is an excellent rate, as <a href="http://www.saratoga.org/" style="font-weight: bold;">Saratoga </a>is quite expensive during the summer months.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.google.com/local?hl=en&hs=KJ2&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=holiday+inn&near=Johnstown,+NY+12095&radius=0.0&latlng=43006923,-74371490,4497087047532743945&sa=X&oi=local&ct=result&cd=1" style="font-weight: bold;">Address:</a><br /> 308 North Comrie Ave.<br /> Johnstown, NY 12095<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Phone:</span> (518) 762-4686<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /></span>

Silver Blaze Rides Again

"a prime favourite with the racing public" [SILV] It's official! The Baker Street Irregulars will sponsor a running of t...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

"...Perhaps They Would Get My Sentence Shortened..." [SIGN]

<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>You may have noticed these four-letter abbreviations that are showing up in our blog. A word of explanation.<br /><br />Jay Finley Christ was an early member of the Baker Street Irregulars and a noted scholar. In 1947, he developed a four-letter acronym for each of the 60 tales that comprise the canon.<br /><br />Our friends over at <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.sherlockpeoria.net/">Sherlock in Peoria</a> have put together <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.sherlockpeoria.net/Who_is_Sherlock/Christabbrev.html">a very nice listing of those acronyms</a>.

"...Perhaps They Would Get My Sentence Shortened..." [SIGN]

You may have noticed these four-letter abbreviations that are showing up in our blog. A word of explanation. Jay Finley Christ was an early...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

The BSI Trust Has a Website

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> "for the sake of the trust" [MUSG] </h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhpWGm9VaPmHMW9WquqGETi28BCshPg2n8LN1SnGx37lLAAk9mRkx6_K-5TSUNwnasCMbsHK2IViPEfk2MDBffPkFNJwYgOfmeicr7iPluce8WaY7UGmrYmMyOOD79rlgUJw2elYIb8Sd/s1600/BSI+Trust.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="1311" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhpWGm9VaPmHMW9WquqGETi28BCshPg2n8LN1SnGx37lLAAk9mRkx6_K-5TSUNwnasCMbsHK2IViPEfk2MDBffPkFNJwYgOfmeicr7iPluce8WaY7UGmrYmMyOOD79rlgUJw2elYIb8Sd/s640/BSI+Trust.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> In 2003, Michael Whelan, current "Wiggins" of the Baker Street Irregulars, announced the formation of the Baker Street Irregulars Trust. The BSI Trust is a not-for-profit entity that is part of <a href="http://bakerstreetirregulars.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">The Baker Street Irregulars</a>, a world-renowned literary society. The Irregulars are dedicated to the study of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, and their Victorian/Edwardian world.<br /> <br /> The Trust’s purpose is to assemble, preserve, and make available for study relevant materials related to the history of the <span class="caps">BSI</span> and to individuals and organizations such as the <span class="caps">BSI</span> that have devoted themselves to such studies.<br /> <br /> <div class="note_content"> <a href="http://www.bsitrust.org/" style="font-weight: bold;">The Baker Street Irregulars Trust</a> web site has just been launched and is well worth a look. Please feel free to contact us, either through email or through a comment, to tell us about any material you may have that is worth consideration of the Trust.<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br /></div>

The BSI Trust Has a Website

"for the sake of the trust" [MUSG]  In 2003, Michael Whelan, current "Wiggins" of the Baker Street Irregulars, anno...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

"Your Pictures Are Not Unlike You..." [3GAR]

While Nathan Garrideb easily recognized Sherlock Holmes, we need your valuable assistance in identifying some Sherlockians from photos a decade and a half ago. Take a look below and see if you know the people in the scenes. If so, please use the "Comment" section below to tell us who they are.<br /><br />Both images are from Mrs. Hudson's Breakfast at the 1991 BSI Weekend. Below, we need help identifying the gentleman who is interviewing Dick Shull.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/1600/1991%20BSI%20001.0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/320/1991%20BSI%20001.0.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a></div><br /><br />And in the second image, we need to know the identities of the gentlemen flanking Don Kraar.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/1600/1991%20BSI%20004.1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/320/1991%20BSI%20004.1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /></div>

"Your Pictures Are Not Unlike You..." [3GAR]

While Nathan Garrideb easily recognized Sherlock Holmes, we need your valuable assistance in identifying some Sherlockians from photos a dec...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Scuttlebits & Bytes Roundup

Peter Blau has graciously allowed us permission to post the HTML links from his monthly newsletter, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://members.cox.net/sherlock1/scuttle.htm">Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press</a>. We thought this was a convenient way of summarizing his excellent Internet-based information in one place and we'll continue to update this feature monthly.<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=24952">Patty Tierney's wearable Sherlockian art</a><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.romanzieri.com/">Romanzieri.com:</a> Links to Conan Doyle stories in Italian<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.astudyinsherlock.net/">A Study in Sherlock</a>, a Sherlockian Blog (also referenced in our links on the right)<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.gulfhotelbahrain.com/gulfhotel_sherlock_holmes.asp">The Sherlock Holmes Pub</a> at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" a="" href="http://www.langhamhotels.com/">The Langham Hotels</a> around the world<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.dramatists.us/stevendietz/works.htm">Sherlock Holmes: the Final Adventure</a> - Information on Steven Dietz's plays<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://members.aol.com/baritsu/diogenes/whim.html">Great Whimsical Sherlockian Tour of Oklahoma and Texas</a> - Don Hobbs recounts his adventures of Sherlockian travel in 2005<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.tc.umn.edu/%7Ebergq003/holmes/">Sherlockian Resources on the Internet</a> - John Bergquist's summary of useful links<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.taylormadeshoes.co.uk/Bespoke/SherlockHolmesII.htm">The Sherlock Holmes Collection</a> - made-to-measure shoes at Jame Taylor & Son<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/visibleproofs/">Visible Proofs: Forensic Views of the Body</a> - exhibition at the National Library of Medicine<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.twit.biz/">Nicholas Twit: the Schoolboy Sherlock Holmes</a> - by Cenarth Fox<br /><ul><li>Script for Fox's play <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.foxplays.com/">"The Real Sherlock Holmes"</a></li><li>CD recording of the play available at <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.sherlock-holmes.com/">Classic Specialities</a></li></ul><br />And here's that photo of Rufus, the bull-terrier who won the Westminster Kennel Club dog show<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/1600/westminster_big.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/200/westminster_big.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>

Scuttlebits & Bytes Roundup

Peter Blau has graciously allowed us permission to post the HTML links from his monthly newsletter, Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press . ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Great New Feature!

You'll notice on the right that we have added a new feature: you can enter your email address in order to be notified of when our site updates.<br /><br />This a simple interface that will do the same thing that the other RSS feeds do, but rather than sending updates to your feedreader, it sends updates to you via email. Try it out!

Great New Feature!

You'll notice on the right that we have added a new feature: you can enter your email address in order to be notified of when our site ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Automatic Renewal Feature

<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong></strong></span>Back by popular demand! We have re-established the <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/pages/564285/index.htm"><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"><strong>Auto Renewal page</strong></span></a> in a slightly more understandable format. Please pop on over, take a look, and let us know what you think.

Automatic Renewal Feature

Back by popular demand! We have re-established the Auto Renewal page in a slightly more understandable format. Please pop on over, take a l...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Special Delivery

<em>"Our second post is now overdue, and I shall be surprised if it does not bring us...a further letter of explanation..."</em> [VALL]<br /> <br /> I have received a number of queries from interested Sherlockians who wonder when they'll receive their 2005 Christmas Annual. The post was unusually slow in January, delaying some deliveries. The annuals were despatched the second week of January and should have homes by this date, or very shortly.<br /> <br /> In related news, the Winter 2005 issue is out. Hop on over to the <i>Baker Street Journal</i> web site to check out the contents. Randall Stock wrote an excellent article about the life of "<a href="http://ignisart.camdenhouse.com/canon/soli.htm" target="_blank">The Solitary Cyclist</a>"<span style="color: #33ff33;"> </span>manuscript.<br /> <br /> This is also a good time to remind you that the Winter 2005 issue marks the end of the subscription cycle. Please take a moment to <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/">renew your subscription</a> and to consider making a gift subscription to a new Sherlockian or a public library.<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br />

Special Delivery

"Our second post is now overdue, and I shall be surprised if it does not bring us...a further letter of explanation..." [VALL] ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

The Honors List

<strong></strong>The BSI Dinner was held on Friday, January 13 in New York City, with 175 members and guests present. The following investitures were awarded as part of the honors list:<br /><br /><strong>Don Terras</strong>, "The Politician, the Lighthouse and the Trained Cormorant" (awarded in October)<br /><strong>Richard Olken</strong>, "Bob Carruthers"<br /><strong>Regina Stinson</strong>, "A Little Ribston Pippin"<br /><strong>Curtis Armstrong</strong>, "An Actor and a Rare One"<br /><strong>Paul Churchill</strong>, "Corot"<br /><strong>Jerry Kegley</strong>, "Nathan Garrideb"<br /><strong>Trevor Raymond</strong>, "Horace Harker"<br /><strong>Jennie Paton</strong>, "Laura Lyons"<br /><br />We stood on the terrace for the following Irregulars who broke from the ranks in 2005:<br /><strong>Richard Schwartz<br />Robert Dinegar<br />Edgar B. Smith<br />Robert Bisio<br />Cyril Keller<br />John McCabe<br />Jerry Williamson<br />Allen Mackler<br /></strong><br />A good time was had by all - even by <a href="http://imdb.com/name/nm0925717/"><strong>Paxton Whitehead</strong></a>, who made an appearance.

The Honors List

The BSI Dinner was held on Friday, January 13 in New York City, with 175 members and guests present. The following investitures were awarded...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Excitement!

<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);font-size:130%;" ><strong></strong></span>That's the only way I know how to describe the feeling that's in the air as Sherlockians from around the world think about their descent on New York City next week.<br /><br />From the first gatherings on Wednesday evening, to the final brunch on Sunday, the the lobby of the Algonquin Hotel will be abuzz with the meetings of new friends and old, all quite certain of one thing: the popularity of one Mr. Sherlock Holmes.<br /><br />As we are now within a week of this happy annual occasion, we at the Baker Street Journal look forward to seeing you at our table in the Vendors' Room next Saturday morning. If you have a moment, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">drop by and mention this blog</span> - there may be a little surprise for you!

Excitement!

That's the only way I know how to describe the feeling that's in the air as Sherlockians from around the world think about their des...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Compliments of the Season

<strong></strong>It's that time of year, when Sherlockians and Holmesians across the globe wish each other a Canonical holiday greeting that still holds its weight today, amidst the politically correct phrases that are uttered.<br /><br />As a reminder, we take the quote from 'The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle,' which opened thusly:<br /><br /><blockquote><em>I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holrnes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.<br /></em></blockquote><br />And as we near Christmas, our thoughts naturally gravitate toward <em>The Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual,</em> which for 2005 is titled "Once a Week in Baker Street: the Boucher-Green Years." Baker Street Irregular H. Paul Jeffers examines the flurry of creativity that went into creating the <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743520459/ref=pd_cmp_rvi_1_a/103-0208521-5746279?n=283155"><strong>Sherlock Holmes radio series starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce</strong></a>.<br /><br />But the news that you're proabably interested in is this: <strong>the Annual will go to press next week and will likely be mailed on January 10</strong>. Be on the lookout for it. If you haven't ordered your copy yet, get over to the <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/pages/907700/index.htm"><strong><em>Baker Street Journal</em></strong></a>.<br /><br />And while we're on the subject of Paul Jeffers, not only is he an avid Sherlockian, but he is a noted scholar whose area of expertise is Theodore Roosevelt, as well as other historic figures. Some of his many other books include:<br /><ul><li><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?qwork=144284&wauth=Jeffers%2C%20H%20Paul&ptit=The%20Adventure%20of%20the%20Stalwart%20Companions%3A%20Heretofore%20Unpublished%20Letters%20and%20Papers%20Concerning%20a%20Singular%20Collaboration%20Between%20Theodore%20Roosevelt%20and&pauth=Jeffers%2C%20H%2E%20Paul&pisbn=&pqty=59&pqtynew=0&pbest=2%2E95&matches=59&qsort=r&cm_re=works*listing*title"><strong>The Adventure of the Stalwart Companions</strong></a> (Holmes and Teddy Roosevelt)</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?qwork=4513326&wauth=Jeffers%2C%20H%20Paul&ptit=Murder%20Most%20Irregular&pauth=Jeffers%2C%20H%20Paul&pisbn=0783896360&pqty=48&pqtynew=1&pbest=2%2E95&pbestnew=5%2E42&matches=48&qsort=r&cm_re=works*listing*title"><strong>Murder Most Irregular</strong></a></li><li><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580800653/ref=pd_cmp_rvi_2_a/103-0208521-5746279?n=283155"><strong>The Perfect Pipe</strong></a> (a reference book)</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158574610X/qid=1135101916/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/103-0208521-5746279?s=books&amp;amp;v=glance&n=283155"><strong>The Good Cigar: A Celebration of the Art of Cigar Smoking</strong></a></li></ul>

Compliments of the Season

It's that time of year, when Sherlockians and Holmesians across the globe wish each other a Canonical holiday greeting that still holds ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Sherlockian Status Symbol

<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);font-size:130%;" ><strong></strong></span>Sounds like a bit of an oxymoron, doesn't it? Be assured, there are ways of showing your Sherlockian pride without looking like a total misfit.<br /><br />One trend that seems to be sweeping the mainstream public is that of oval stickers - you've seen them. Some say MV (for Martha's Vineyard), or 26.2 (a marathoner), or simply have a profile of a favorite breed of dog.<br /><br />Well, you needn't wait any longer! The Sherlockian answer to such bragging is here. Our friends at <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.beaconsociety.com/"><strong>the Beacon Society</strong></a> are offering their own version of the oval sticker:<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/1600/221B.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/724/187/320/221B.gif" style="" /></a></p><br />Proceeds go to support the Society, which exists to spread the word of Sherlock Holmes to young people and to recognize those people who are doing so. Grab one for a friend, a neighbor, a local librarian - anyone who would like to show the world that he or she loves Sherlock Holmes. You don't even need a car!

Sherlockian Status Symbol

Sounds like a bit of an oxymoron, doesn't it? Be assured, there are ways of showing your Sherlockian pride without looking like a total ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Auto Renewal Feature

<strong></strong>We're currently experiencing a bit of technical difficulty on our Auto Renew page over at the <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/"><strong>Baker Street Journal site</strong></a>.<br /><br />In an attempt to reflect the new code from PayPal, I provided a "modification" button. However, rather than modifying current subscriptions, it has resulted in creating a new subscription when clicked on. In order to avoid any further confusion, I've suspended the page until I can figure it out.<br /><br />In the meantime, feel free to browse around the rest of the site - you can still renew your subscription or purchase a Christmas annual.<br /><br />Any comments, feedback or suggestions about the BSJ web site are welcome.

Auto Renewal Feature

We're currently experiencing a bit of technical difficulty on our Auto Renew page over at the Baker Street Journal site . In an attempt ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

THE Weekend

<strong></strong>While Sherlock Holmes referred to Irene Adler as <strong><a href="http://www.bakerstreet221b.de/canon/scan.htm">"the woman,"</a></strong> Sherlockians everywhere refer to the January gathering of the Baker Street Irregulars as "the weekend." Below are the details as currently known, courtesy of Peter Blau.<br /><br />Sherlock Holmes' 152nd birthday will be celebrated on Friday, Jan. 13, with the traditional festivities in New York, but the first formal event will be <strong><a href="http://www.ash-nyc.com/">The Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes'</a></strong> ASH Wednesday dinner starting at 6:00 p.m. at O'Casey's (<strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=22+e+41st+st.,+ny,+NY&iwloc=A&hl=en">22 East 41st Street</a></strong>); attendees pay their own checks, but it will would be helpful to let <a href="mailto:">Ev Herzog</a> (301 Warren Avenue #203, Baltimore, MD 21230) know if you're coming to the event.<br /><br />On Thursday, The Baker Street Irregulars' Distinguished Speaker Lecture begins at 6:15 pm on the 6th floor of the Williams Club (<strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=24+e+39th+st.,+ny,+NY&spn=0.013744,0.037875&iwloc=A&hl=en">24 East 39th Street, between Madison and Park Avenues</a></strong>), and the speaker is Leroy Lad Panek, who won an <strong><a href="http://www.mysterynet.com/edgars/">Edgar</a></strong> in 1988 for <strong><em>Introduction to the Detective Story</em></strong> (which has a chapter on Conan Doyle). He'll talk on "Sherlock Holmes and the Emergence of the American Detective Story" ($11.00); seating will be limited, and you are advised to reserve early (details below).<br /><br />On Friday, the William Gillette Memorial Luncheon starts at noon, at <strong><a href="http://www.moranschelsea.com/">Moran's Chelsea Seafood Restaurant</a></strong> at <strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=146+10th+ave.,+ny,+NY&spn=0.013745,0.037875&iwloc=A&hl=en">146 Tenth Avenue at 19th Street</a></strong>; $43.00 (please request an announcement from Susan Rice, 125 Washington Place #2-E,New York, NY 10014).<br /><br />Otto Penzler has moved the <strong><a href="http://www.mysteriousbookshop.com/">Mysterious Bookshop</a></strong> to Tribeca (that's the Triangle Below Canal); the address is <strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=58+Warren+St,+New+York,+NY">58 Warren Street</a></strong> (between West Broadway and Church Street), and that's where he'll hold his traditional open house on Friday, from 11:00 to 5:00. Otto explains that the new shop has twice the space, and that it took only nine moving vans to move 28 years of books and files and stuff from the old shop. There's a parking lot at the corner of Warren and West Broadway, for those brave enough to drive in New York,and the subway station nearest the Algonquin is Times Square (42nd Street between Seventh Avenue and Broadway); you take the 1, 2, or 3 train to the<br />Chambers Street station (one block from the shop). If (or possibly when)<br />you get lost, or are using a different train, your can call the bookshop at<br />212-587-1011.<br /><br />The Baker Street Irregulars will gather at 6:00 pm at the <strong><a href="http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/1859/mcms.html">Union League Club</a></strong> at <strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=38+e+37th+st.,+ny,+NY&iwloc=A&hl=en">38 East 37th Street</a></strong>. <strong><a href="http://www.baskervillebash.homestead.com/">The Baskerville Bash</a></strong> (open to all Sherlockians and their friends) offers dinner and entertainment at 6:30 pm at the Manhattan Club at <strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=201+w+52nd+st.,+ny,+NY&spn=0.013741,0.037875&iwloc=A&hl=en">201 West 52nd Street</a></strong> (between Broadway and Seventh Avenue); $70.00 (checks payable to Maribeau Briggs) should be sent to Maribeau (183 Stokes Road, Medford Lakes, NJ 08055); please include your e-mail address and primary Sherlockian society affiliation). Early reservations are advised for the William Gillette luncheon and the Baskerville Bash.<br /><br />Those who wish to have seasonal souvenirs in the dinner packets can send 175 copies (for the BSI) to James B. Saunders (3011 47th Street, Astoria,NY 11103), 125 copies (for the Bash) to Francine Kitts (35 Van Cortlandt Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301), and 20 copies (for The Women) to Mary Ann Bradley, 7938 Mill Stream Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46278); your material should arrive by Dec. 15.<br /><br />On Saturday a wide variety of Sherlockiana will be offered in the dealers' room on the second floor of the <strong><a href="http://www.thealgonquin.net/">Hotel Algonquin</a></strong> (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=59+W+44th+St,+New+York,+NY"><strong>59 West 44th Street</strong></a>) from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm; <strong><a href="mailto:">Ralph Hall</a></strong> (2906 Wallingford Court, Louisville, KY 40218) (502-491-3148) will be glad to supply information about dealers' tables. And the Clients of Adrian Mulliner (devotees of the works of both John H. Watson and P. G. Wodehouse) will hold a Junior Bloodstain (a rather less than totally reverent event) on the second floor of the Algonquin at 12:30 pm; if you are planning to attend these festivi-<br />ties, please tell <strong><a href="mailto:">Anne Cotton</a></strong> (12 Hollywood Street, South Hadley, MA 01075).<br /><br />Also on Saturday, the BSI annual reception, which is open to all Sherlockians and friends, will be held from 2:00 to 5:00, at <strong><strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=24+5th+ave.,+ny,+NY&iwloc=A&hl=en">24 Fifth Avenue</a></strong></strong> (between 9th and 10th Streets) [note the different location and time]; there will be passed hors d'oeuvres and an open bar, and traditional and untraditional entertainment. The cost is $68.00 (details below), or $78.00 after Dec. 1 or at the door.<br /><br />The Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes will hold an informal brunch on Sunday, from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at the <strong><a href="http://www.oldcastlepub.com/">Oldcastle Pub</a></strong> at <strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=160+w+54th+st.,+ny,+NY&iwloc=A&hl=en">160 West 54th Street</a></strong> (between 7th and 6th Avenues) (and yes, 6th Avenue is the Avenue of the Americas). It's open to all, but space is limited and reservations will be important; the contact is <strong><a href="mailto:">Judith Freeman</a></strong> (280 Ninth Avenue #1-C, New York,NY 10001.<br /><br />The Baker Street Irregulars are a tax-exempt organization, and Mike Whelan has arranged with the <strong><a href="http://www.thealgonquin.net/">Hotel Algonquin</a></strong> for single or double rooms at $165.00 a night (Tuesday through Saturday); this is the total cost, since there is no tax due on reservations arranged by the BSI. Breakfast is not included in the price this year. Other charges (telephone calls, meals, room service, drinks, etc.) are not covered. The offer's available to all Sherlockians, and room reservations must be made directly to the Algonquin (mention The Baker Street Irregulars) at 212-840-6800 on or before December 5.<br /><br />And here are the details: if you've not already received Mike Whelan's announcement with the prices and a reservation form for the Thursday lecture and the Saturday reception, you can request a copy from Michael F. Whelan, 7938 Mill Stream Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46278.<br /><br />Mary Ellen Rich has kindly provided a list of hotels that offer reasonable (as defined by New York landlords) rates, along with a warning about non-optional extras that include 14% in state and city taxes. Ask for the lowest available rate, don't be shy about asking for discounts (AAA, senior, corporate, weekend specials); if you plan to arrive on Thursday you should confirm that weekend rates apply, and request written confirmation.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.madison-hotel.com/">Madison Hotel</a></strong> from $90<br />62 Madison Ave. at 27th St. - <strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=62+Madison+Ave,+New+York,+NY">map</a></strong><br />(800) 923-4766<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://chelseasavoy.citysearch.vista.com/">Chelsea Savoy</a></strong> from $99<br />204 West 23rd St. - <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=204+w+23rd+st.,+ny,+NY&iwloc=A&hl=en"><strong>map</strong></a><br />(866) 929-9353<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.radiocityapartments.com/">Radio City Apartments</a></strong> from $109<br />142 West 49th Street -<strong> </strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=142+w+49th+st.,+ny,+NY&iwloc=A&hl=en"><strong>map</strong></a><br />(877) 921-9321<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><a href="http://www.comfortinncentralpark.com/">Comfort Inn Central Park</a></strong> from $110<br />31 West 71st St. - <strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=31+w+71st+st.,+ny,+NY&iwloc=A&hl=en">map</a></strong><br />(800) 424-6423<br /><br />The Dr. John H. Watson Fund offers financial assistance to all Sherlockians (membership in the BSI is not required) who might otherwise not be able to participate in the weekend's festivities. A carefully pseudonymous John H. Watson presides over the fund and welcomes contributions, which can be made by check payable to John H. Watson and sent (without return address on the envelope) to Dr. Watson, care of The Baker Street Irregulars, at 7938 Mill Stream Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46278; your letters are forwarded unopened,and Dr. Watson will acknowledge your generosity. Requests for assistance should also be mailed (quickly) to Dr. Watson at the same address.

THE Weekend

While Sherlock Holmes referred to Irene Adler as "the woman," Sherlockians everywhere refer to the January gathering of the Baker...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

The Baker Street Journal, Vol. 55, No. 3

<strong></strong>The Autumn issue of the BSJ is on the street! If you haven't seen your copy yet, it's on the way.<br /><br />This quarter, we have what is commonly being referred to as the "Philadelphia" issue, because of so many contributions by members or guests of the <strong><a href="http://www.sonsofthecopperbeeches.homestead.com/">Sons of the Copper Beeches</a></strong>. These include illustrator Scott Bond, John Genova, Paul Singleton, and Gideon Hill, whose article <strong><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/pages/907710/index.htm">"The Richest Man in Horseracing"</a></strong> is our featured article on the site.<br /><br />Other items in this issue include a wholehearted defense of the Game by Leslie Klinger, who is embarking on a book tour to promote <strong><em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/039305800X/qid=1131128820/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-0208521-5746279?v=glance&s=books&n=507846">The Annotated Sherlock Holmes, Volume 3</a></em></strong>. Les' official site can be <strong><a href="http://www.annotatedsherlockholmes.com/">found here</a></strong>.<br /><br />John Genova tells us a bit about the life of Canonical illustrator <strong><a href="http://209.182.27.203/ch/gallery/7-twidl.htm">Arthur Twidle</a></strong>; Paul Singleton surmises what <em>The Whole Art of Detection</em> might contain, had Holmes gotten around to writing it; David Pleger takes another look at Dr. Roylott's activities in <strong><a href="http://www.bakerstreet221b.de/canon/spec.htm">"The Speckled Band"</a></strong>; in "An Exceptional Woman," Regina Stinson delves into the effect that Violent Hunter had on Holmes in <strong><a href="http://www.bakerstreet221b.de/canon/copp.htm">"The Copper Beeches"</a></strong>; Barbara Cooper visits with one of the stars of <em><strong><a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0038494/">Dressed To Kill</a></strong></em>; and John Bergquist recounts the adventures of the <strong><a href="http://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/beeline.php">Sherlock Holmes Society of London</a></strong> as they journeyed through Switzerland last summer.<br /><br />We also just announced the title of the 2005 Christmas Annual: <strong><em>Once a Week in Baker Street: the Boucher-Green Years</em> by H. Paul Jeffers</strong>. It is now <strong><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/pages/907700/index.htm">available for purchase</a></strong> on our web site, scheduled to be released at the end of the year.<br /><br />We also ask that you take a moment to <strong><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/pages/511542/index.htm">renew your subscription or give a gift subscription</a></strong>. Rates are $25.95 in the U.S., $28.50 elsewhere; $35.95/$39.50 for a subscription that includes the Christmas Annual.<br /><br />Happy reading!

The Baker Street Journal, Vol. 55, No. 3

The Autumn issue of the BSJ is on the street! If you haven't seen your copy yet, it's on the way. This quarter, we have what is comm...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

<strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;">Another Technical Update - This Time, with Google</span></strong><br /><br />Google now has an RSS reader that you can use to track all of your feeds. As a reminder, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) updates you when a site changes. If you subscribe to a feed and use a reader, all of your favorite sites are aggregated in one place.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.google.com/reader/things/intro">Click here for more information on the Google reader</a></strong>.

Another Technical Update - This Time, with Google Google now has an RSS reader that you can use to track all of your feeds. As a reminder, R...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty