I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

Early Conan Doyle Manuscript Published

<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"Smith within my grasp" [DYIN]</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_X1nqi1k_XOyhtUteNvE-nXTyMULdVTa_d3NMjP5k3_bNDN89gbinYUtiBdf4m559bYD9zIDBaI59ppJsJIdzJY6_IyCysu8du5ppj50Oi2mmc6l5wAVZuLiP2n8HHuXM53ArkamdlOw/s1600/Arthur+Conan+Doyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_X1nqi1k_XOyhtUteNvE-nXTyMULdVTa_d3NMjP5k3_bNDN89gbinYUtiBdf4m559bYD9zIDBaI59ppJsJIdzJY6_IyCysu8du5ppj50Oi2mmc6l5wAVZuLiP2n8HHuXM53ArkamdlOw/s1600/Arthur+Conan+Doyle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The notion of finding one of Dr. Watson's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393311538/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0393311538" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lost</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393311198/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0393311198" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">manuscripts</a> has long been something akin to the search for the Holy Grail and something that has fueled more than its fair share of <a href="http://sherlock-holmes.es/database.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>pastiches</b></a>. [That link goes to a database of Sherlockian pastiches kept by Philip K. Jones; it is also one of the helpful links on our <b><a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/p/resources.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Resources page</a></b>, which is at the top of the navigation of the site.]<br />
<br />
<br />
Now we have something even better: a lost publication of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself. This isn't just any publication; this is his very first novel, written in 1883 when he was 23 years old and living in Portsmouth, trying to establish himself as a doctor and a writer. Unfortunately, his manuscript was lost in the mail on the way to the publisher, never to see the light of day.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0712358412/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0712358412" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0712358412&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=thebakerstree-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to order</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not to be outdone, Conan Doyle later rewrote <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0712358412/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0712358412" rel="nofollow" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">The Narrative of John Smith</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0712358412&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> entirely from memory, but his novel was never published in his lifetime. Well, as an ardent believer in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism" target="_blank">spiritualism</a>, Conan Doyle must be among us today, smiling at the prolonged delay of his very first work as a novelist.<br />
<br />
The book concerns John Smith, a fifty-year-old man confined to his room by an attack of gout. He explores a range of topics such as literature, science, religion, war, and education in a style that should be familiar to anyone who knows him through his later works - particularly the Sherlock Holmes stories.<br />
<br />
We're intrigued with what this early work holds, and we'll look forward to presenting you with some additional views on it next month as <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose37" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere (Episode 37)</a> welcomes Jon Lellenberg and Daniel Stashower, two of the editors/annotators of the novel, to discuss their findings. You may recall Jon and Dan <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2007/11/episode-13-arthur-conan-doyle-life-in.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">joining Episode 13</a> of the show to discuss their other book <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004E3XE3Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B004E3XE3Y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004E3XE3Y&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.</i></b><br />
<br />
Will you read this new treasure?<br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0712358412&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24029425@N06/6140452441/">Boston Public Library (Flickr)</a></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
--<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thebakerstree-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=0712358412" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>   <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thebakerstree-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B004E3XE3Y" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>

Early Conan Doyle Manuscript Published

"Smith within my grasp" [DYIN] The notion of finding one of Dr. Watson's lost manuscripts has long been something akin...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

"A Sound of Galloping Across The Moor" [HOUN]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/4181734745/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="houn-04 by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="houn-04" height="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4181734745_f570868152_m.jpg" width="165" /></a>One of the strengths of the canon - and Conan Doyle's writing - is its ability to connote a vivid, memorable atmosphere. <b><a href="http://sherlockholmes.stanford.edu/readings3.html"><i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i></a></b> is the most frequently adapted - and most noted by both scholars and casual fans - of Conan Doyle's novels for its ability to immerse the reader in a moody, darkened setting.<br /><br />Thankfully, the <a href="http://venividitheatre.com/">Veni Vidi Theatre</a> company in London is producing a uniquely styled adaptation. From August 15th to August 20th, the Theater adapted <i>The Hound of the Baskervilles </i>as a radio drama - actors voicing the characters, and the production will be reminiscent of a pre-World War II audio production. (Think <a href="http://www.mercurytheatre.info/">Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater</a> as a comparison). Rather than do a scene-by-scene recreation onstage, the troupe appears to have gone one step further - providing an adaptation that attempts to engage the audience on both an immediate and more imaginative level. <br /><br />Thankfully, Veni Vidi has provided <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RUQpO_3uds&feature=player_embedded">some videos about the production</a>. You can check out the playlist below:<br /><br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLE2EBFA5DD6FAFDB0&hl=en_US" width="560"></iframe></center><br /><div><br /></div><div><br />This production of <i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i><b> </b>was adapted by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0931702/">Simon Williams</a>, and is directed by <a href="http://www.venividitheatre.com/natalie-anne-downs.html">Natalie Anne-Downs.</a> Veni Vidi's adaptation seems to be a uniquely distinctive approach to the canon, and a must-see for Sherlockians everywhere. <a href="http://www.remotegoat.co.uk/review_view.php?uid=7322">A review from remotegoat.co.uk</a> called it "a perfect homage to both radio theatre and to Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary work."<br /><br />If you were among those who were able to see the production, we'd love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Editor's note: Gordon regularly covers the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and the entertainment industry. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.blogthispal.com/">Blog THIS, Pal!</a> and <a href="http://comicrelated.com/categories.php?column=TV%20Party">Comic Related</a>.</i></div><div><br />--</div>

"A Sound of Galloping Across The Moor" [HOUN]

One of the strengths of the canon - and Conan Doyle's writing - is its ability to connote a vivid, memorable atmosphere. The Hound of th...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

"Solitary Meditations" [DEVI]

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl75GwsexUcEVRhD6hH4PZOEc-TRG0H8dWIjCtIaGER9h068I1gbsdGEGntEtLvVeWfz3K6M8mj_k5nfTQ3gtbGiAcFCX4m36NwBN7rBlvxC-xhD-M-Er63RRWlxbWBC9rwr169yMa7yM/s1600/Crawford1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl75GwsexUcEVRhD6hH4PZOEc-TRG0H8dWIjCtIaGER9h068I1gbsdGEGntEtLvVeWfz3K6M8mj_k5nfTQ3gtbGiAcFCX4m36NwBN7rBlvxC-xhD-M-Er63RRWlxbWBC9rwr169yMa7yM/s1600/Crawford1.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
Dr. Bryce L. Crawford, Jr., BSI (“The Solitary Cyclist”) died on September 16, 2011 at the age of 96. He was the last remaining founder of <a href="http://www.norwegianexplorers.org/"><b>The Norwegian Explorers</b></a>, which was founded in 1948 at the University of Minnesota.<br />
<br />
Dr. Crawford was born in New Orleans, received his PhD in 1936 from Stanford University and did post-graduate work at both Harvard and Yale. He was a University of Minnesota Professor of Chemistry from 1940 through 1985. He held the titles of Chairman of the Department of Chemistry and Dean of the Graduate School. Dr. Crawford was a member of the National Academy of Sciences since 1956, and was awarded the Priestly Medal in 1982. It is the highest honor conferred by the American Chemical Society and is awarded for distinguished service in the field of chemistry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv-zmrKdmmdjVQtFFXkGZpv7Xn7f1SnxHF7O7BxrNSW525sZs5ku9WWPTorWirDxeZKf2KItWf9C6IPBjnmsXV5S1J4NoRyEH1NbLdNB5wSl2YES2bprnnGSNTfMVeJ9g3P7ElfD60dU/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv-zmrKdmmdjVQtFFXkGZpv7Xn7f1SnxHF7O7BxrNSW525sZs5ku9WWPTorWirDxeZKf2KItWf9C6IPBjnmsXV5S1J4NoRyEH1NbLdNB5wSl2YES2bprnnGSNTfMVeJ9g3P7ElfD60dU/s200/Capture.PNG" width="156" /></a></div>
The commemorative plaque at Reichenbach Falls was the brainchild of the Norwegian Explorers, and Dr. Crawford was largely responsible for the inscription on the plaque…“Across this ‘dreadful cauldron’ occurred the culminating event in the career of Sherlock Holmes, the world’s greatest detective, when on May 4, 1891, he vanquished Prof. Moriarty, the Napoleon of Crime.” It was erected by the Norwegian Explorers and The Sherlock Holmes Society of London on June 25, 1957. Dr. Crawford co-authored “The Final Problem – Where?” an essay relating how the exact spot for the plaque was chosen. After he returned from his reconnaissance mission to Switzerland, he submitted a 48 cent expense report for the funicular ride to the top of the Falls. His reimbursement was denied because of lack of sufficient documentation, which became a continual source of amusement. To his delight, many years later he was given a frame with 48 cents in it.<br />
<br />
Dr. Crawford was invested into the Baker Street Irregulars in 1985 as “The Solitary Cyclist.”<br />
<br />
<br />
--

"Solitary Meditations" [DEVI]

Dr. Bryce L. Crawford, Jr., BSI (“The Solitary Cyclist”) died on September 16, 2011 at the age of 96. He was the last remaining founder o...

+ Read more »

by Francine Kitts

Episode 35: Sherlock Holmes in the News

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/4181741761/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="seco-03 by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="seco-03" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4181741761_9ec3872aa8_m.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In this episode, we catch up on some of the interesting tidbits of news that have touched the world of Sherlock Holmes lately. From a new television adaptation to Sherlockians passing, fake literary Twitter handles to banned books and more, we cover some of the more remarkable stories that have been in the public's eye over the last few weeks.<br />
<br />
In addition, we also take a look at events in the weeks ahead. While there are many events at Sherlockian societies in the North America, the United Kingdom and beyond, we focused on those in London, Toronto, Indianapolis and Providence in this case.<br />
<br />
We wrap up the show with a reading of the Editor’s Gas-Lamp from the Summer 2011 issue of <i><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a></i>, Vol. 61, No.2.<br />
<br />
<b>Links:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2011/09/pushing-another-one-in-my-direction.html">The news of CBS's pending modern "Sherlock Holmes" adaptation</a></li>
<ul>
<li>The <a href="http://www.avclub.com/articles/cbs-boldly-reclaims-sherlock-holmes-for-america,61743/">avclub.com reaction</a></li>
</ul>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lipscomb">William Lipscomb</a>, from the <a href="http://improbable.com/">Annals of Improbable Research</a></li>
<li>Some canonically-connected <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/09/11/literary-twitter-parodies/">fake literary profiles on Twitter</a></li>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/BakerStreetBlog/literary-parodies">That entire list</a> for you to follow</li>
<li>Burt's <a href="http://twitter.com/A_Conan_Doyle">@A_Conan_Doyle</a> account</li>
</ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2011/09/signature-is-typewritten-iden.html">The state of Undershaw</a> and how you can help</li>
<li><i>A Study in Scarlet</i> <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/08/sherlock-holmes-book-banned-by-virginia-school-district.html">banned from school reading lists</a> in Ablemarle County, Virginia</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>Upcoming Events</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/event_info.php?id=258">The Sherlock Holmes Society of London’s Richard Lancelyn Green Lecture - Sir Christopher Frayling</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.acdfriends.org/sins.htm">Arthur Conan Doyle: A Study in Scandal</a> (Toronto, Oct. 13-16) </li>
<li><a href="http://wessexpress.com/html/g2b3.html">From Gillette to Brett III</a> (Indianapolis, Nov. 11-13)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>Listen now:</b></div>

<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="45" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/1713986/height/45/width/250/theme/standard/direction/no/autoplay/yes/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="250"></iframe>
</center>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/ihearofsherlock/ihearofsherlock035.mp3"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TL5jgdrUh_nM_zlDgxql-jKOFGUVFqhoV6A2JtYklXOu4qmVDyRVbwGV6XrwXZgnG9awSwJ7td-txL1_4KGrpSf4igJLILOim4yJmX5pGTPIdMhCBYLyImSI5gs1MOMUZPAlpAgvtPdb/s1600/podcastIcon.gif" /></a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Download this episode by right-clicking the icon and selecting "Save As..." or simply click on the file to listen, or on the nice box above. (File size: 55.62 MB, 1:0:41)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email, call us at (774) 221-READ (7323) or drop by our <a href="http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock">Facebook page</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And as always, please visit our sponsors <a href="http://www.wessexpress.com/">Wessex Press</a>.<br />
--<br />
<br /></div>