"...Good Wishes, Miss Winter." [ILLU]

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/Maureen_Green.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/200/Maureen_Green.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a>This has not been a good year for the Baker Street Irregulars. Once again, we have lost one of our own: Maureen Green Van der Flaes, BSI ("Kitty Winter") passed away yesterday, October 18, after suffering severe head injuries from a fall. Maureen was also a long-time member of the <a href="http://www.ash-nyc.com/">Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes</a>.<br /><br />As a Toronto-area Sherlockian, her husband, Edwin Van der Flaes, BSI ("Victor Trevor") has indicated that he doesn't want it to affect the <a href="http://www.acdfriends.org/acdat35.htm">ACD@35</a> weekend which is starting today.<br /><br />I'm sorry to say that I didn't know Maureen personally. Any recollections of her are welcome in the comment section below. I'll add her obituary when it's published (see below).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/MaureenGreen_obit.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/400/MaureenGreen_obit.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>

"...Good Wishes, Miss Winter." [ILLU]

This has not been a good year for the Baker Street Irregulars. Once again, we have lost one of our own: Maureen Green Van der Flaes, BSI (...

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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. This is a part of the BSI Photo Project, in which the Baker Street Irregulars are trying to identify everyone in photos that are part of the <a href="http://www.bsitrust.org/">BSI Trust</a> Arvhive.<br /><br />Take a look below and see if you know the gentleman circled in red bewteen Herb Tinning and Bob Hahn. If so, please use the "Comment" section below to tell us who he is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/1992_BSI_Weekend_010.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/400/1992_BSI_Weekend_010.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>

"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...

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by Scott Monty

"Suggest Christie" [ILLU]

<a href="http://www.christies.com/">Christies</a> in London is holding an auction titled Modern First Editions Including Books From the Library of Lady Ottoline Morrell. Of particular interest to readers of the Baker Street Blog are 35 lots of <a href="http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/searchresults.asp?T=Lot&entry=4074+doyle">first editions by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</a>.<br /><br />Sale 4074 includes some notable works, including:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LotDetail.asp?sid=&highlights=%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FLotCommon%2FCatalogueEntry%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3EDOYLE%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%2C+Arthur+Conan%2E++%26lt%3BI%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FSale%2FSaleNumber%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3E4074%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E&intObjectID=4803787&AllObjectIDs=4803799,4803829,4803789,4803797,4803827,4803809,4803787,4803795,4803807,4803785,4803793,4803805,4803783,4803813,4803791,4803803,4803811,4803801,4803798,4803828&RefineQueryURL=AdvancedSearch%2Easp%3Fsid%3D%26entry%3D4074%2Bdoyle%26T%3DLot%26P%3D%26CF%3D%26SU%3D1%26RQ%3DFalse%26AN%3D1">The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes</a> <a href="http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LotDetail.asp?sid=&highlights=%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FLotCommon%2FCatalogueEntry%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3EDOYLE%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%2C+Arthur+Conan%2E++%26lt%3BI%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FSale%2FSaleNumber%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3E4074%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E&intObjectID=4803795&AllObjectIDs=4803799,4803829,4803789,4803797,4803827,4803809,4803787,4803795,4803807,4803785,4803793,4803805,4803783,4803813,4803791,4803803,4803811,4803801,4803798,4803828&RefineQueryURL=AdvancedSearch%2Easp%3Fsid%3D%26entry%3D4074%2Bdoyle%26T%3DLot%26P%3D%26CF%3D%26SU%3D1%26RQ%3DFalse%26AN%3D1">Micah Clarke</a> <a href="http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LotDetail.asp?sid=&highlights=%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FLotCommon%2FCatalogueEntry%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3EDOYLE%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%2C+Arthur+Conan%2E++%26lt%3BI%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FSale%2FSaleNumber%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3E4074%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E&intObjectID=4803795&AllObjectIDs=4803799,4803829,4803789,4803797,4803827,4803809,4803787,4803795,4803807,4803785,4803793,4803805,4803783,4803813,4803791,4803803,4803811,4803801,4803798,4803828&RefineQueryURL=AdvancedSearch%2Easp%3Fsid%3D%26entry%3D4074%2Bdoyle%26T%3DLot%26P%3D%26CF%3D%26SU%3D1%26RQ%3DFalse%26AN%3D1">A three-volume set of The White Company</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LotDetail.asp?sid=&highlights=%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FLotCommon%2FCatalogueEntry%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3EDOYLE%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%2C+Arthur+Conan%2E++%26lt%3BI%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FSale%2FSaleNumber%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3E4074%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E&intObjectID=4803787&AllObjectIDs=4803799,4803829,4803789,4803797,4803827,4803809,4803787,4803795,4803807,4803785,4803793,4803805,4803783,4803813,4803791,4803803,4803811,4803801,4803798,4803828&RefineQueryURL=AdvancedSearch%2Easp%3Fsid%3D%26entry%3D4074%2Bdoyle%26T%3DLot%26P%3D%26CF%3D%26SU%3D1%26RQ%3DFalse%26AN%3D1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/200/Auction1.1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LotDetail.asp?sid=&highlights=%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FLotCommon%2FCatalogueEntry%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3EDOYLE%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%2C+Arthur+Conan%2E++%26lt%3BI%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FSale%2FSaleNumber%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3E4074%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E&intObjectID=4803795&AllObjectIDs=4803799,4803829,4803789,4803797,4803827,4803809,4803787,4803795,4803807,4803785,4803793,4803805,4803783,4803813,4803791,4803803,4803811,4803801,4803798,4803828&RefineQueryURL=AdvancedSearch%2Easp%3Fsid%3D%26entry%3D4074%2Bdoyle%26T%3DLot%26P%3D%26CF%3D%26SU%3D1%26RQ%3DFalse%26AN%3D1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/200/Auction2.1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LotDetail.asp?sid=&highlights=%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FLotCommon%2FCatalogueEntry%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3EDOYLE%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%2C+Arthur+Conan%2E++%26lt%3BI%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fsegment%27+title%3D%27%2FSale%2FSaleNumber%27%3E%3Cb%3E%3Cspan+class%3D%27esn%5Fhighlight%27%3E4074%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fb%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E+%2E%2E%2E&intObjectID=4803795&AllObjectIDs=4803799,4803829,4803789,4803797,4803827,4803809,4803787,4803795,4803807,4803785,4803793,4803805,4803783,4803813,4803791,4803803,4803811,4803801,4803798,4803828&RefineQueryURL=AdvancedSearch%2Easp%3Fsid%3D%26entry%3D4074%2Bdoyle%26T%3DLot%26P%3D%26CF%3D%26SU%3D1%26RQ%3DFalse%26AN%3D1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/200/Auction3.0.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />The auction also includes The Land of Mist, Uncle Bernac, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Doings of Raffles Haw, Rodney Stone, The Stark Munro Letters, The Refugees, a number of copies of The Hound of the Baskervilles... Check out the auction to see what's there.<br /><br />Although estimates have been listed in the hundreds of pounds, I think the final prices will be significantly higher. These are mostly seminal works which will command a good deal of attention from collectors.<br /><br />Thanks to Peter Blau for bringing this to my attention.

"Suggest Christie" [ILLU]

Christies in London is holding an auction titled Modern First Editions Including Books From the Library of Lady Ottoline Morrell. Of partic...

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by Scott Monty

"I Will Examine Your Symptoms..." [DYIN]

There have been a number of theories thrown around with regard to the mental health of Sherlock Holmes over the years. Those include such diagnoses as biopolar disorder, <a href="http://www.geocities.com/athens/acropolis/8950/holmes/autism.htm">autism</a>, <a href="http://www.geocities.com/sherlockiana/holmesian/add_yop.html">attention deficit hyperactivity disorder</a>, and most recently, Asperger's syndrome.<br /><br />I've previously blogged about Holmesian influence in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009WPM1Q?tag=thebakerstree-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B0009WPM1Q&adid=0JM5DFGC4058WS44SHDZ&">House</a>. It should come as no surprise then, that in a recent episode (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0836216/">"Lines in the Sand"</a>), Wilson noted symptoms of Asperger's syndrome in an effort to explain House's quirks:<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">"Asperger's syndrome is a mild and rare form of autism. It is typically characterized by difficulty establishing friendships and playing with peers, trouble accepting conventional social rules, and they dislike any change in setting or routine. "</blockquote><br />But one positive side to Asperger's syndrome is the degree of creativity which is afforded to many of its sufferers. I happened to find a book review in the September 27, 2006 issue of <a href="http://beta.blogger.com/jama.ama-assn.org/">JAMA</a> (296:12, 1532) [subscription required]. The review was for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGenesis-Artistic-Creativity-Aspergers-Syndrome%2Fdp%2F1843103346%2Fsr%3D8-3%2Fqid%3D1159852746%2Fref%3Dsr%5F1%5F3%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">The Genesis of Artistic Creativity: Asperger's Syndrome and the Arts</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;amp;l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> by Michael Fitzgerald, which focuses on artistic geniuses in the field of philosophy, literature, music and art. An excerpt from the review:<br /><blockquote>"...available data support the commonsense view that gifted people are different, in ways both rewarding and burdensome...the manic intensity and looser mental associations of bipolar disorder may lend afflicted writers emotional depth and a wellspring of metaphor but at a cost of high rates of suicide, depression, and substance abuse.<br /></blockquote><blockquote>"With this in mind, the premise of Michael Fitzgerald's worthy new book is unexpected and counterintuitive: people with high-functioning autism, or Asperger's syndrome, may be highly creative. Those affected by Asperger's...are typically rigid and literal-minded, often display ineptitude in social relations, particularly nonverbal communication, and may lack empathy and insight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Genesis-Artistic-Creativity-Aspergers-Syndrome/dp/1843103346/sr=8-3/qid=1159852746/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&tag2=thebakerstree-20"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/AspergerBook.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a>"Patients with high-functioning autism have several traits that may be major assets to a creative mind. They have a narrow range of interests, which they pursue with workaholic zeal and single-minded concentration. Their social maladjustment and dissatisfaction may be a powerful stimulus to fantasy and imagination. They may have isolated savant-level abilities in music, mathematics, language, or art. Finally, their scant regard for the opinion of others can be a big plus for an original creative genius, helping them persevere in the in the face of failure, rejection, or mockery....<br /><br />"One suspects that because writers general need great resources of empathy and insight into character and motivation, they are less likely to have Asperger's syndrome than creative minds in other fields. There are some notable exceptions: <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">one compelling chapter analyzes the career of Arthur Conan Doyle as a writer with Asperger's syndrome and suggests that Sherlock Holmes was an autistic detective.</span>"<br /><br /></blockquote>One simply has to call to mind Holmes' hyperfocus, such as skipping meals while consumed with cases, or the thought of Doyle writing the stories on a crowded train or at a cricket match, to appreciate the diagnosis.

"I Will Examine Your Symptoms..." [DYIN]

There have been a number of theories thrown around with regard to the mental health of Sherlock Holmes over the years. Those include such d...

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by Scott Monty

"...The Goodness of Providence..." [NAVA]

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/ch-logo.1.png"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/200/ch-logo.1.png" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />For those of you not connected with the New England area, there is a wonderfully gregarious and intelligent group of Sherlockians in Rhode Island. The Cornish Horrors have been meeting for three decades, and they don't show any signs of aging.<br /><br />These Horrible people are having their next dinner on November 4 in Providence, RI at the lovely <a href="http://www.providenceartclub.org/">Providence Art Club</a>. If you've never had a chance to dine there before, you're in for a treat.<br /><br />For all of the graphic details, <a href="http://bwolder.home.comcast.net/chflyer110406.pdf">download the PDF</a> of their flyer.

"...The Goodness of Providence..." [NAVA]

For those of you not connected with the New England area, there is a wonderfully gregarious and intelligent group of Sherlockians in Rhode I...

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by Scott Monty

"I Think That I Have Deserved Better..." [HOUN]

The <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13594096/">2006 Quill Awards</a> were awarded at a gala in New York City last night. Readers certainly did their part in voting for Les Klinger in the Mystery/Suspense/Thriller category. However, his monumental work, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=new%20annotated%20sherlock%20holmes&tag=thebakerstree-20&index=books&amp;amp;amp;linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; font-style: italic;" width="1" />, was not the winner in the category last night.<br /><br />Still, it's wonderful to see a Sherlockian - one whom I am lucky to call a friend - in the same category as the competition. I suppose I was guilty of feeling a little overconfident, thanks to Les' other awards over the last year or two. Plus, I root for him simply because I like him.<br /><br />Les is coming to the end of his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=Sherlock%20Holmes%20Reference%20Library&tag=thebakerstree-20&index=books&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Sherlock Holmes Reference Library</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> series as well. Between that and NASH, it's been quite a run...

"I Think That I Have Deserved Better..." [HOUN]

The 2006 Quill Awards were awarded at a gala in New York City last night. Readers certainly did their part in voting for Les Klinger in the...

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by Scott Monty

"...To Add to Your Collection, Watson." [DANC]

Abebooks.net has a great post in their Rare Book room called <a href="http://www.abebooks.com/docs/RareBooks/Avid-Collector/Sep06/sherlock-holmes.shtml">Clues on Collecting Sherlock Holmes</a> (thanks to Mark Wardecker for the link).<br /><br />Naturally, they had to give a nod to the giant in the field of collecting Sherlockiana, John Bennett Shaw:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/JBS.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/200/JBS.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" /></a><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"> It is doubtful that anyone will ever again approach the sheer size of the collection amassed by the late <a href="http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=John+Bennett+Shaw&kn=Sherlock+Holmes&sortby=1">John Bennett Shaw</a>. Like Professor Moriarty, Shaw sat at the center of a vast web whose vibrations seemed to sense the appearance of anything new in the Sherlockian firmament. Shaw had his minions everywhere, and very little escaped him. But times change. The Sherlockian world has grown to such gigantic proportions that no one collector will ever again so dominate the field.</blockquote>When I started collecting as a college student, I thought I had amassed quite a collection of Sherlock Holmes material when I filled a single row on a bookshelf. Now, I've got three bookcases overflowing, plus at least 5 large boxes of books that don't yet have a home. And there are plenty of books that I <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">don't</span> buy.<br /><br />Those who knew JBS personally remember a gregarious and generous man - generous with his time and with his collection. The fact that Shaw's collection was the basis for the <a href="http://special.lib.umn.edu/rare/holmes.phtml">Sherlock Holmes Collection at the University of Minnesota Libraries</a> certainly proves that.<br /><br />Personally, I never had the chance to meet Mr. Shaw. If there are any readers out there with a personal experience with the great Sherlockian collector John Bennett Shaw, a comment would be welcome.

"...To Add to Your Collection, Watson." [DANC]

Abebooks.net has a great post in their Rare Book room called Clues on Collecting Sherlock Holmes (thanks to Mark Wardecker for the link). N...

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by Scott Monty

"Its Annual Contribution..." [VALL]

<a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/christmasannuals.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Quartering in the Fifties: The 2006 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual</span></a><br /><br />In "The Noble Bachelor," Sherlock Holmes said:<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">“It is always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of the <small><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);"><a name="300"></a></span></small>same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/Beeton%27s.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/Beeton%27s.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" /></a></blockquote><br />This year's <span style="font-style: italic;">Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual</span> takes great pleasure in showing how that idea was put into action almost half a century ago.<br /><br />Nicholas Utechin, editor of <a href="http://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/journal.php"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Sherlock Holmes Journal</span></a>, has had unique access to the correspondence of the late Colin Prestige - a founding member of the <a href="http://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/">Sherlock Holmes Society of London</a> with a distinguished quartet of American Holmesians: Nathan L. Bengis, Jay Finley Christ, James Montgomery, and Edgar W. Smith. Their letter show a sometimes bewildering enthusiasm for selling, collecting, and, above all, sharing when a trans-Atlantic Sherlockian camaraderie was being formed in the mid-1950s. Prestige left his Sherlockian collection to his alma mater - Oriel College, Oxford - and it is with their persmission that these letters have been made available for both this publication and eventual bedding-down in <a href="http://www.bsitrust.org/index.php?page=text&id=archive">the BSI Archives at Harvard's Hougton Library</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Quartering in the Fifties</span> provides a rare glimpse back to the years when, despite the fewer participants, the hobby of Sherlock Holmes was just as vibrant as it is today, with truly archival baggage attached.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/christmasannuals.html">Order your copy of the 2006 Christmas Annual</a> today - unless you have already ordered as part of your 2006 Baker Street Journal subscription.

"Its Annual Contribution..." [VALL]

Quartering in the Fifties: The 2006 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual In "The Noble Bachelor," Sherlock Holmes said: “It is a...

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by Scott Monty

"I Have Already Heard of Your Meeting..." [CROO]

There's a little gathering up in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&amp;amp;amp;q=toronto,+canada&ie=UTF8&z=6&ll=43.731414,-79.3927&spn=8.097844,22.148437&om=1">Toronto </a>in a couple of weeks that, if you can manage to swing it, is going to be a major Sherlockian/Doylean event.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/ACD.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/ACD.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 193px;" /></a>The Friends of the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection, the Bootmakers of Toronto, and the Arthur Conan Doyle Society are hosting <a href="http://www.acdfriends.org/acdat35.htm">ACD@35</a>, a major conference celebrating 35 years of the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection at the Toronto Central Library.<br /><br />With an impressive array of <a href="http://www.acdfriends.org/speakers.htm">distinguished speakers</a>, the conference is slated to kick off on Thursday, October 19 with a walking tour of Conan Doyle's Toronto, followed by a showing of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079592/">Murder by Decree</a>, and continues with sessions on Friday to Sunday, October 20-22, with a banquet on Saturday night, and an auction and entertainment on Sunday morning.<br /><br />If you can tear yourself away from the "weary workaday world" for a few days, ACD@35 will certainly give you a good reason for heading to Toronto.

"I Have Already Heard of Your Meeting..." [CROO]

There's a little gathering up in Toronto in a couple of weeks that, if you can manage to swing it, is going to be a major Sherlockian/Do...

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by Scott Monty

"Any Striking Illustration..." [SOLI]

An update to today's earlier post: I visited the "live" site containing what's called <a href="http://www.sidneypaget.com/">a chapbook of "A Scandal in Bohemia"</a> and took a look at the amazing images. You can see them below in a slideshow. All I can say is WOW. This is a unique way of looking at one of the 60 stories and a very enjoyable one at that.<br /><br /><center><style type="text/css"><!-- .dtop,.dbottom{display:block;background-color:#ffffff /* change the color of the corners here */} .dtop b,.dbottom b{display:block;height:1px;overflow:hidden;background:#000} .d1{margin:0 5px}.d2{margin:0 3px}.d3{margin:0 2px}.dtop .d4,.dbottom b.d4{margin:0 1px;height:2px} --></style><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: rgb(0, 0, 0) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; width: 550px;"><br /><b class="dtop"><b class="d1"></b><b class="d2"></b><b class="d3"></b><b class="d4"></b></b><br /><iframe style="margin-top: 10px;" src="http://www.flickr.com/slideShow/index.gne?user_id=87925055@N00&set_id=72157594312734894" frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" width="500"></iframe><br /><br /><a style="font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(85, 85, 85);" href="http://blogger-templates.blogspot.com/2005/09/flash-slideshow.html">Flash Slideshow</a><br /><b class="dbottom"><b class="d4"></b><b class="d3"></b><b class="d2"></b><b class="d1"></b></b><br /></div></div><br /><br /></center>

"Any Striking Illustration..." [SOLI]

An update to today's earlier post: I visited the "live" site containing what's called a chapbook of "A Scandal in Boh...

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by Scott Monty

"You Have a Quick Eye for Colour..." [IDEN]

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/Paget.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/200/Paget.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 157px;" /></a>In honor of the birthday of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Paget">Sidney Paget</a>, Goode Press is featuring its <a href="http://www.sidneypaget.com/">online version of 'A Scandal in Bohemia,'</a> with the illustrations of Sidney Paget in full color. The Cyber-Chapbook is a cost-free, advertisement-free gift to the Sherlock Holmes community from Goode Press.<br /><br />I haven't had a chance to review the site, as it's been in "preview" mode since the summer. October 4 is that date that it's launching, in honor of Paget's birth in 1860. Head on over and have a look.

"You Have a Quick Eye for Colour..." [IDEN]

In honor of the birthday of Sidney Paget , Goode Press is featuring its online version of 'A Scandal in Bohemia,' with the illustra...

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by Scott Monty

"One Tuesday Morning in Autumn..." [SECO]

This Tuesday morning we bring you news of the Autumn issue of the <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/">Baker Street Journal</a>. Here is a quick summary of <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/currentvolume.html">what you'll find in the latest issue</a> which is hitting the mail this week:<br /><br /><ul><li>The latest Editor's Gas Lamp, <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/currentvolume/theeditorsgaslamp.html">On the Street Where You Live</a> </li><li>The featured article, S.E. Dahlinger does anything but a <span style="font-style: italic;">sotto voce</span> in her <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/currentvolume/segregationofthebea.html">Some Observations on the Segregation of the Bea [<span style="font-style: italic;">sic</span>]</a>, in which she draws parallels between Sir Walter Scott's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Bride of Lammermoor</span> and "Shoscombe Old Place."<br /></li><li>Michael Pollak goes out on a limb as he makes a case for the appreciation of the pure skill of that old <span style="font-style: italic;">shikari </span>Col. Sebastian Moran</li><li>Bruce Harris applies social psychology to help explain the attraction between John H. Watson and Mary Morstan</li><li>"The Great Game is Afoot" by Susan Rice traces the origins of international intrigue and Middle East subterfuge</li><li>We get a look at "The <span style="font-style: italic;">Materia Medica</span> of Sherlock Holmes" - the pharmacological and clinical imprints of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on Holmes and Watson, courtesy of Harold Billings<br /></li><li>And the usual roundup of the Baker Street Inventory, the editor's Commonplace Book, Scott Bond's artwork, and Letters to Baker Street</li><li>Two addtional items this month, one very welcome, the other not so much:</li><ul><li>The Sherlockian Societies Report<br /></li><li>Obituaries of the BSI, covered in "Stand with me here upon the terrace..."</li></ul></ul>Take a look at the latest poll along the right column and let me know what you like best about the current issue.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NEW!! </span> In addition, we've updated the Web site to include <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/giftcertificates.html">gift certificates</a> that are redeemable for any BSJ/BSI merchandise on the site. With the holidays coming up, now's the time to stock up and give a bakerstreetjournal.com gift certificate to a Sherlockian friend or family member.

"One Tuesday Morning in Autumn..." [SECO]

This Tuesday morning we bring you news of the Autumn issue of the Baker Street Journal . Here is a quick summary of what you'll find in ...

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by Scott Monty

Sherlock Holmes Soundtracks to Own

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> <b>"rejoicing in the music" [SOLI]</b></h4> <br /> <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00003WGNM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />Other than being a Sherlockian, one of my obsessions in this world is movie soundtracks. I have collected soundtracks from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSherlock-Holmes-Soundtrack-Patrick-Gowers%2Fdp%2FB00003WGNM%2Fsr%3D1-1%2Fqid%3D1159755060%2Fref%3Dpd%5Fbbs%5F1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dmusic&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Granada TV series with Jeremy Brett,</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSherlock-Holmes-Classic-Television-Anthology%2Fdp%2FB0000014Y7%2Fsr%3D1-3%2Fqid%3D1159755060%2Fref%3Dpd%5Fbbs%5F3%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dmusic&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">compilation of classic themes from 221B Baker Street,</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> as well as the soundtrack to the musical <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMusical-Adventure-Sherlock-Original-Broadway%2Fdp%2FB000CQQGVE%2Fsr%3D1-12%2Fqid%3D1159755060%2Fref%3Dsr%5F1%5F12%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dmusic&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Baker Street.</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B00003WGNM&tag=thebakerstree-20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes TV Soundtrack" border="0" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B00003WGNM&tag=thebakerstree-20" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Musical-Adventure-Sherlock-Original-Broadway/dp/B000CQQGVE?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Baker Street, A Musical Adventure of Sherlock Holmes (1965 Original Broadway Cast)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000CQQGVE&tag=thebakerstree-20" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Television-Anthology/dp/B0000014Y7?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes: Classic Themes From 221B Baker Street (Television And Film Score Anthology)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0000014Y7&tag=thebakerstree-20" /></a></div> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSherlock-Holmes-Classic-Television-Anthology%2Fdp%2FB0000014Y7%2Fsr%3D1-3%2Fqid%3D1159755060%2Fref%3Dpd%5Fbbs%5F3%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dmusic&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0000014Y7" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000CQQGVE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div> <br /> The "Classic Themes" CD includes some beautiful and haunting music from <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPrivate-Life-Sherlock-Holmes%2Fdp%2FB00005JKHF%2Fsr%3D8-1%2Fqid%3D1159755795%2Fref%3Dsr%5F1%5F1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Ddvd&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes,</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></span> composed by Miklos Rosza. After the movie, Rosza expanded upon that theme, creating his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FKorngold-Concerto-variazioni-Carmen-Fantasy%2Fdp%2FB000003FIW%2Fsr%3D8-4%2Fqid%3D1159756065%2Fref%3Dsr%5F1%5F4%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dmusic&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Violin Concerto, Op. 24,</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;amp;amp;l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> which I also added to my collection. Its majesty, sorrow, and its soaring themes have Canonical inspiration at every turn. It's one of my favorite CDs to listen to while I read the stories.<br /> <br /> But one of the most elusive sountracks on my list - Sherlockian or otherwise - has been that of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FYoung-Sherlock-Holmes-Barry-Levinson%2Fdp%2FB0000AUHPC%2Fsr%3D8-1%2Fqid%3D1159756925%2Fref%3Dpd%5Fbbs%5F1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Ddvd&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325" style="font-style: italic;">Young Sherlock Holmes.</a> The 2-CD set is extremely rare, commanding between $150 - $200 on eBay. I have tried to obtain it in an economical fashion for some time and have come up short.<br /> <br /> Well, look no further, Sherlockians and soundtrack fans. A blog called <a href="http://theslaughteredlambpub.blogspot.com/2006/09/young-sherlock-holmes-original-score.html">The Slaughtered Lamb</a> has posted mp3 files from this very rare original score. Get over there and download it before it's gone!

Sherlock Holmes Soundtracks to Own

"rejoicing in the music" [SOLI] Other than being a Sherlockian, one of my obsessions in this world is movie soundtracks. I hav...

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by Scott Monty

"You Were Here As a Guest..." [BLAN]

<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Special thanks to reader Per Kielland-Lund of Oregon, USA for this guest posting. He writes:</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMonk-Season-Four-Milan-Cheylov%2Fdp%2FB000F0UUTG%2Fsr%3D1-1%2Fqid%3D1159146725%2Fref%3Dpd%5Fbbs%5F1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Ddvd&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/monk_lrg.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The TV series <a href="http://www.usanetwork.com/series/monk/">Monk</a> is based on the Sherlock Holmes stories, in particular the relationships among Monk, Stottlemeyer, Sharona (and later Natalie) and Ambrose - the smarter and older brother of Monk.<br /><br />The writers of Monk plainly state <a href="http://www.usanetwork.com/series/monk/">in an interview on the offical Monk website</a> that the series is based on the Sherlock Holmes stories.<br /><br />The characters and basic structure of the series were inspired by the Sherlock Holmes mysteries. The character name "Adrian Monk" was intended to be unusual like that of Sherlock Holmes. Other characters correspond to Holmes characters: Sharona Fleming (a nurse) and Dr. Watson; Capt. Stottlemeyer and Inspector Lestrade; and Monk's brother Ambrose and Mycroft Holmes (Sherlock's brother).<br /><br />In one episode, the viewers are introduced to Monk's brother Ambrose (<a href="http://experts.about.com/e/j/jo/John_Turturro.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">John Turturro</a>), who is even more intelligent than Adrian, but has been confined to his house for many years due to crippling <a href="http://experts.about.com/e/a/ag/agoraphobia.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">agoraphobia</a>. The character of Ambrose might have been inspired by the character of <a href="http://experts.about.com/e/m/my/Mycroft_Holmes.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Mycroft Holmes</a>, the rarely-seen "smarter brother" of the famous fictional detective genius <a href="http://experts.about.com/e/s/sh/Sherlock_Holmes.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Sherlock Holmes</a>.<br /><br />Those daily challenges eventually forced Monk to hire a personal nurse, <a href="http://www.usanetwork.com/series/monk/theshow/characterprofiles/bitty/index.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Sharona Fleming</a> (<a href="http://www.usanetwork.com/series/monk/theshow/characterprofiles/bitty/bio.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Bitty Schram</a>), who was always there to offer her assistance when even the simplest of tasks (like organizing his sock drawer) became an angst-ridden ordeal for Monk. Along the way, Sharona also became Monk's own "Girl Friday," an unlikely Dr. Watson to his Sherlock Holmes.<br /></blockquote><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While I have watched the show only very occasionally, I did see the Ambrose episode and I enjoyed it. I'll leave it to the Monkies and Sherlockians to battle it out (like the Housians and Holmesians) over current television protagonists versus the Master.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For those who are interested in the series, it is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMonk-Season-Four-Milan-Cheylov%2Fdp%2FB000F0UUTG%2Fsr%3D1-1%2Fqid%3D1159146725%2Fref%3Dpd%5Fbbs%5F1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Ddvd&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">available on DVD</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.<br /><br /></span>

"You Were Here As a Guest..." [BLAN]

Special thanks to reader Per Kielland-Lund of Oregon, USA for this guest posting. He writes: The TV series Monk is based on the Sherlock H...

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by Scott Monty

"There Was a Mutter of Conversation..." [VALL]

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/laurieking.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/200/laurieking.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a>I've inadvertently discovered Laurie King's blog, aptly titled <a href="http://laurierking.blogspot.com/">Laurie R. King -- Mutterings</a>. In today's post, <a href="http://laurierking.blogspot.com/2006/09/madison-thursday.html">Madison, Thursday</a>, she rightly mutters about the harried travel schedule of a highly-acclaimed author.<br /><br />Ms. King writes that she spoke at an event with <a href="http://webpages.charter.net/lklinger/">Les Klinger</a> last night during which she made a rather important announcement:<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">"And I told them what I’ll announce here now, that Laurie King’s unwitting feud with international Sherlockianism (is that a word?) is officially over and made up. Yes, I have been asked to speak at the annual dinner of the Baker Street Irregulars in New York this January."</blockquote>Yes, Ms. King is the Distinguished Lecturer this year. She joins a who's who roster of speakers from past years, including Nicholas Meyer, Madeleine Stern, John Berendt, Leroy Panek, Owen Dudley Edwards and Gahan Wilson.

"There Was a Mutter of Conversation..." [VALL]

I've inadvertently discovered Laurie King's blog, aptly titled Laurie R. King -- Mutterings . In today's post, Madison, Thursda...

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by Scott Monty

"You Have a Grand Gift..." [TWIS]

The Web site of <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a> has undergone yet another change. You already know that the sleek new design has given way to more functionality in terms of the number of pages. For example, the merchandise was broken out into many pages, rather than all of the publications getting crammed onto the same page.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/giftcertificates.html"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/200/chas-06.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /><br />One of the pages I just added to the site gives vistors the option to purchase <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/giftcertificates.html">Gift Certificates</a> for any of the merchandise that's available on the Web site:<ul><li><a href="%3Cform%20action=%22https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr%22%20method=%22post%22%3E">Subscriptions to the BSJ</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/christmasannuals.html">Christmas Annuals</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/bsimanuscriptseries.html">BSI Manuscript Series</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/bsiinternationalseries.html">BSI International Series</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/bsihistoryseries.html">BSI History Series</a>, </li><li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/thebsjoncdrom.html">BSJ CD-ROM</a><br /></li></ul>This is a great idea for early holiday shoppers. Surprise the Sherlockian in your life with a gift that can be used whenever the recipient likes on the merchanise that is most relevant to him or her.

"You Have a Grand Gift..." [TWIS]

The Web site of The Baker Street Journal has undergone yet another change. You already know that the sleek new design has given way to more...

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by Scott Monty

"We Were to Go to the Theatre." [BRUC]

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/Shackleford_Sherlock.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/Shackleford_Sherlock.gif" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a>For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting <a href="http://www.gulliver.cc/lee.htm">Lee Shackleford</a>, I can only say, "That's too bad." Lee is an avid Sherlockian and a first-rate human being. He used to illustrate "From the Doctor's Diary," a cartoon that regularly appeared in <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a>.<br /><br />As a writer, Lee has worked on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092455/">Star Trek: the Next Generation</a>, including the episode "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092455/">Ship in a Bottle</a>," in which Moriarty escapes from the holodeck computer.<br /><br />One of Lee's crowning achievements (in my opinion, at least) is his play <a href="http://www.gulliver.cc/stage/hw.htm">Holmes & Watson</a>, written in 1989. It was performed for participants of the 1990 Baker Street Irregulars weeken, to great acclaim. Didn't see it that weekend? Well, the play is running again, this time at <a href="http://www.newplayhouse.org/">The New Play House</a> at the Cultural Arts center in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;hl=en&q=Frederick,+MD&ie=UTF8&z=11&ll=39.413916,-77.411041&spn=0.265244,0.673599&om=1">Frederick, MD</a>. Performance dates are October 5-8, and October 12-15.<br /><br />One note: at the October 14 matinee, there will be a panel after the performance, featuring a discussion with the director. A number of high-profile Sherlockians will be in attendance.<br /><br />And, just to make things interesting, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/holmes_and_watson">the play has its own MySpace profile</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/HW_poker.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/HW_poker.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>

"We Were to Go to the Theatre." [BRUC]

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting Lee Shackleford , I can only say, "That's too bad." Lee is an av...

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by Scott Monty

"I Have Almost Every Link in My Hands..." [BLUE]

Below you'll find the links to the September issue of <a href="http://members.cox.net/sherlock1/scuttle.htm">Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press</a>, kindly submitted by Peter Blau.<br /><ul><li>Charles Marowitz's play <a href="http://www.newamericantheater.com/">"Sherlock's Last Case" will run at the New American Theater</a> in Rockford, IL from October 17 - November 12</li><li>A unique island property that Conan Doyle once visited, <a href="http://www.savills.co.uk/residentialSearch/15aec56f-1f80-448f-aa22-56bc844ebc08-6-3-3-clickThumbnailSubmit/residentialSearch/propertyDetail.aspx?AlchemyID=299142&pID=133912">Towan Island</a>, is up for sale<br /></li><li>Alan Saunders' <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaptainkobold/sets/72057594063134397/show">remarkable slide show of Sherlockian scenes</a> created with Lego bricks</li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaptainkobold/sets/72057594063134397/show"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/FINA_lego.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.pokersherlock.com/">Poker Sherlock</a>, a high-tech tool that uses its own revolutionary form of reasoning to identify the characteristics of online poker players</li><li><a href="http://www.dangermouse.com/">Dangermouse</a>, the world's greatest detective and his faithful assistant Penfold</li><li>Some new CDs with Sherlock Holmes stories read by James Alexander:</li><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCase-Identity-Adventures-Sherlock-Holmes%2Fdp%2FB000H5PAJ4%2Fsr%3D8-2%2Fqid%3D1159329124%2Fref%3Dsr%5F1%5F2%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks&tag=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">A Case of Identity</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBlue-Carbuncle-Adventures-Sherlock-Holmes%2Fdp%2FB000GSNU08%2Fsr%3D8-2%2Fqid%3D1159329072%2Fref%3Dsr%5F1%5F2%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">The Blue Carbuncle</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FRed-headed-League-Adventures-Sherlock-Holmes%2Fdp%2FB000GSNUD0%2Fsr%3D8-1%2Fqid%3D1159329327%2Fref%3Dsr%5F1%5F1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">The Red-Headed League</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FScandal-Bohemia-Adventures-Sherlock-Holmes%2Fdp%2FB000H5PBRK%2Fsr%3D8-1%2Fqid%3D1159329401%2Fref%3Dsr%5F1%5F1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">A Scandal in Bohemia</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br /></li></ul></ul><ul><li>Get the same pipe tobacco blend that Basil Rathbone preferred: Belnd 515 from <a href="http://www.vtpipes.com/">Pipeworks & Wilke</a></li><li>Daniel Stashower, BSI is at it again: his new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBeautiful-Cigar-Girl-Invention-Murder%2Fdp%2F052594981X%2Fsr%3D1-1%2Fqid%3D1159329612%2Fref%3Dpd%5Fbbs%5F1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks&tag=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;amp;amp;linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">The Beautiful Cigar Girl: Mary Rodgers, Edgar Allan Poe, and the Invention of Murder</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is available for sale</li></ul><br /><center><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=thebakerstree-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=052594981X&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&amp;amp;lc1=0000ff&bc1=000000&bg1=ffffff&f=ifr" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></center><ul><li>The preliminary exhibition of <a href="http://www.conandoylecollection.co.uk/">Richard Lancelyn Green's collection</a> is on display at the <a href="http://www.portsmouthmuseums.co.uk/">Portsmouth Museum</a></li><li>There is a now Latin translation of "Silver Blaze" called <a href="http://ephemeris.alcuinus.net/holmesiaca.php">"Fulmen Argenteum"</a></li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ephemeris.alcuinus.net/holmesiaca.php"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/silv-09.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 196px;" /></a>

"I Have Almost Every Link in My Hands..." [BLUE]

Below you'll find the links to the September issue of Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press , kindly submitted by Peter Blau. Charles Ma...

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by Scott Monty

"...An Enthusiastic Admirer of Napoleon..." [SIXN]

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sh-whoswho.com/gallery/th_Donald_Yates.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.sh-whoswho.com/gallery/th_Donald_Yates.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 39px; height: 59px;" /></a>Don Yates, BSI resides in St. Helena, near Napa Valley where he presides over the Napa Valley Napoleons of SH (they're on the <a href="http://www.frappr.com/sherlockians">Sherlockians Around the World</a> map).<br /><br />Don was in the news recently, as the <span style="font-style: italic;">Napa Valley Register</span> ran a fairly good article (for a mainstream publication) about the Napoleons, titled <a href="http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2006/09/24/features/community/iq_3612857.txt">Napa Valley Sherlock Holmes admirers meet to celebrate a life unlived</a>.<br /><br />This should serve as a nice inspiration for any Sherlockians looking to start their own societies. For existing societies and Sherlockians, here's a list of resources:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.frappr.com/sherlockians">Sherlockians Around the World</a> - an interactive map that you can add to</li><li>Peter Blau's <a href="http://members.cox.net/sherlock1/three.txt">list of societies</a> on Sherlocktron</li><li>A really nice display of faces, cross-referenced by geography and by society on <a href="http://sh-whoswho.com/index.php3">Sherlockian Who's Who</a></li><li>For more, scroll down and check out the Resources section in the right column<br /></li></ul>For those of you new to the Sherlock Holmes, there's a whole world of people out there like you. With just a few resources, you can be in touch with them and begin engaging on conversations about your favorite subject. Happy sleuthing!

"...An Enthusiastic Admirer of Napoleon..." [SIXN]

Don Yates, BSI resides in St. Helena, near Napa Valley where he presides over the Napa Valley Napoleons of SH (they're on the Sherlockia...

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by Scott Monty

"...A Letter with a Foreign Stamp..." [FIVE]

<a href="http://www.londonist.com/archives/2006/09/the_philatelic.php">The Londonist</a> just had a post that mentioned the excellent site <a href="http://www.trussel.com/detfic/sholmes.htm">The Philatellic Sherlock Holmes</a>, a site dedicated to Sherlcokian stamps worldwide.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/Stamp_Sherlock_Comoro.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/Stamp_Sherlock_Comoro.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/Stamp_Sherlock.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/Stamp_Sherlock.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">For any Sherlockian stamp collector, this is a very nice site, with various images of stamps, covers, Cinderella issues, etc. Well worth a look! I have reproduced a few of them here.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/Stamp_Sherlock_Dominica.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/Stamp_Sherlock_Dominica.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/Stamp_Sherlock_GB.0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/Stamp_Sherlock_GB.0.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /><br /></div></div></div>

"...A Letter with a Foreign Stamp..." [FIVE]

The Londonist just had a post that mentioned the excellent site The Philatellic Sherlock Holmes , a site dedicated to Sherlcokian stamps wo...

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by Scott Monty

"...A Very Unexpected Occurrence..." [EMPT]

Via the Hounds of the Internet, Peter Blau reports on a new comedic play called <a href="http://www.sherlockgoeshollywood.com/">The Unexpected Return of Sherlock Holmes</a>. The Web site gives the following synopsis:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/Unexpected_Sherlock.0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/Unexpected_Sherlock.0.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> For the past month, Baffler Manor has been spooked by sightings of a strange ghostly figure. The head of the household and a veteran actor of the English stage, Desmond Westhaven believes only one person can solve the case: Sherlock Holmes. So, he summons the next best thing - the mind behind the world's greatest detective, Arthur Conan Doyle.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> But things aren't always what they seem. Doyle unknowingly brings his own ghost - Sherlock Holmes himself. Unseen by others, Holmes follows his creator everywhere as Doyle attempts to ferret out the truth. New age spiritualism versus cold, deductive logic, the misadventure builds with an actual murder, affairs of the heart, the author's peculiar reactions and the detective's witty retorts. Can the case actually be solved? The game is afoot!</span><br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><blockquote> <blockquote> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><span style="font-size:85%;"><b></b></span></i></span></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><br />Written by Jack L. Herman and directed by Bill Wolsky, the play is running from September 23 - October 14 at the Sierra Stage in West Hollywood, CA. Ticket availability and more information on the play can be found through the link above.

"...A Very Unexpected Occurrence..." [EMPT]

Via the Hounds of the Internet, Peter Blau reports on a new comedic play called The Unexpected Return of Sherlock Holmes . The Web site giv...

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by Scott Monty

"...Aided by a Dane..." [TWIS]

Fans of the comic strip "<a href="http://www.comics.com/comics/marmaduke/">Marmaduke</a>" may have been impressed with a Sherlock Holmes-inspired theme on September 23:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/marmaduke2006091357323.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/marmaduke2006091357323.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>

"...Aided by a Dane..." [TWIS]

Fans of the comic strip " Marmaduke " may have been impressed with a Sherlock Holmes-inspired theme on September 23:

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by Scott Monty

"I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere..." [GREE]

Douglas Johnston over at <a href="http://astudyinsherlock.net/">A Study in Sherlock</a> (a beautifully designed and well-informed blog) has started a new series of posts on <a href="http://www.astudyinsherlock.net/2006/09/19/unusual-recordings/">rare and unusual Sherlockian audio files</a> in his collection.<br /><br />His first feature is <a href="http://www.astudyinsherlock.net/files/audio/Meet_Miss_Sherlock_46-07-07_CaseOfTheDeadmansChest.mp3">Meet Miss Sherlock - the Case of the Deadman's Ches</a><a href="http://www.astudyinsherlock.net/files/audio/Meet_Miss_Sherlock_46-07-07_CaseOfTheDeadmansChest.mp3">t</a> (mp3, 6.9 MB, 30:00)<br /><br />That is followed up by a 1930 recording of <a href="http://www.astudyinsherlock.net/files/audio/sir_acd_speaking_1930.mp3">Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Speaking</a> (2.7 MB, 7:26)<br /><br />And then, the parody <a href="http://www.astudyinsherlock.net/files/audio/JackBenny_390611_HoundOfTheBaskervilles.mp3">The Hound of the Baskervilles, starring...Jack Benny?</a> (6.6 MB, 28:48)<br /><br />This is a great service that Doug is providing to Sherlockians by sharing his collection with us. Let him know what you think!

"I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere..." [GREE]

Douglas Johnston over at A Study in Sherlock (a beautifully designed and well-informed blog) has started a new series of posts on rare and ...

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by Scott Monty

"A Small Wooden Shelf Full of Books..." [SPEC]

Greg Jordan of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Bluefield Daily Telegraph</span> (Bluefield, WV) has written a very nice first-person perspective about the importance of early encounters with books, titled <a href="http://www.bdtonline.com/editorials/local_story_263163731.html?keyword=secondarystory">Sherlock Holmes - and others - Can Inspire Life-Long Love of Books</a>.<br /><br />In addition to recounting his first meeting with Sherlock Holmes (a somewhat regular feature in <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a> - check our <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/currentvolume/archivedarticles.html">online archives</a> for an example), he also notes a youth literacy program called "A Bookcase for Every Child":<br /><span><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Participants in this project help lower income children in the 3 to 5 age bracket get more exposure to reading by giving them their very own bookcase and some gently used books.</blockquote><br />This is a wonderful gesture and an inspired program. If children's editions of the Sherlock Holmes canon are included in such arrangements, we can ensure that Holmes isn't lost to the future generations. Similar work is being done by <a href="http://www.beaconsociety.com">The Beacon Society</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>

"A Small Wooden Shelf Full of Books..." [SPEC]

Greg Jordan of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph (Bluefield, WV) has written a very nice first-person perspective about the importance of early...

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by Scott Monty

"Now Let Us Follow the Trail..." [PRIO]

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/norw-06.0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/norw-06.0.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 268px;" /></a>For those of you who are new to the Baker Street Blog, first of all, welcome! It's good to have you here. I hope that you find the content fun and informative, adding a little extra something to your day.<br /><br />In my continued desire to bridge my professional interests to this little Sherlockian hobby - and to do so in a useful way - I discovered a site called <a href="http://www.trailfire.com/">Trailfire</a>. Their technology allows users to share the Web with others, in the way they see it.<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: center;">"...we were all hastening in the direction of the fire..." [ENGR]</div></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>I have estabiled what they call a "trail," or a guided tour of something I'd like to share with you. In this case, it's <a href="http://trailfire.com/bakerstreetblog/trails/11987">an introduction to the Baker Street Blog</a> - kind of a user's guide to get the most out of your experience here.

"Now Let Us Follow the Trail..." [PRIO]

For those of you who are new to the Baker Street Blog, first of all, welcome! It's good to have you here. I hope that you find the con...

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by Scott Monty

"...A Fine, Robust Old Man..." [GLOR]

<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/1600/Schultz.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/Schultz.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a>Robert S. Schultz, BSI ("The <span style="font-style: italic;">Gloria Scott</span>") crossed over the Reichenbach on September, 7, 2006. Bob was a long-time contributor to the <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/">Baker Street Journal</a> and an early attendee of the annual Baker Street Irregulars dinner.<br /> <br /> His first contribution to the Journal was in the BSJ's infancy in the mid-1940s, and until his investiture in 2002, he hadn't attended a BSI dinner in over 50 years. Even in the midst of the January weather we've come to dread at the BSI weekends, Bob would venture down from Vermont (I suppose it was warmer, coming south) and, as a late octogenarian, navigate the streets of New York himself.<br /> <br /> He was a gentle and kind man, soft spoken, yet rugged as any outdoorsman. He witnessed the BSI of old and the current BSI, contributing to the schloarship in both epochs. His efforts were not without merit: in 2002, his article <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/images/2002%20Dating%20of%20Blood%20Stains%20Schultz.pdf">Upon the Dating of Bloodstains</a> was granted the <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/morleymontgomeryaward.html">Morley-Montgomery Award</a>.<br /> <br /> His obituary, courtesy of the <i>Burlington Free Press</i>:<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;"></span><br /> <blockquote style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;">ROBERT SPENCER SCHULTZ III - Robert Spencer Schultz lll, 89, of South Burlington, died Sept. 7, 2006, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Ripton. Born July 1, 1917, in LaSalle, Ill., he was the son of Robert Spencer Schultz II and Elizabeth Letts Schultz. He was a proud and loyal graduate of Williams College, Class of 1939. After graduation, he worked for Econometrics in New York City and then for the War Department in Washington, D.C. during World War II. He returned to NYC and Econometrics where he met his wife, Jane Stern Schultz. He spent most of his career as an economist for Union Bag (Camp) Paper Corporation. He later worked for Mackay Shields and served on the New York Council of Economic Advisors under Governor Hugh Cary. He taught briefly at Fordham University. In 1983, he and Jane retired to South Burlington.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;">Bob had numerous local involvements. He was a volunteer for Shelburne Farms, the Shelburne Museum and the Champlain Shakespeare Festival and was an active member of the Chittenden County Historical Society. The fellowship he found at All Saints Episcopal Church in South Burlington was extremely important to him as were his friends in The Goose Club of the Alpha Inn, a local Sherlock Holmes group. He was a member of the Baker Street Irregulars and a contributor to the Baker Street Journal. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hiking and skiing and shared this love with his family. He learned to ski while at Williams and by the early 1960s, he was a Mad River Glen diehard. He was very active in the Scarsdale Ski Club before moving to Vermont. He and Jane were longtime members of the Appalachian Mountain Club and Green Mountain Club and both were members of the AMC's "Four Thousand Footer Club."</span><br /> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;">Bob was predeceased by Jane, his wife of 59 years and the love of his life. He is survived by his three children and their families: a son, John Schultz and his wife Annette of Moretown; a daughter Barry (Barbara) King and her husband Warren of Ripton; a daughter Teddy (Edna) Ben Said and her husband Bechir of Lee, N.H.; and six grandchildren, Megan and Katie Schultz, Eliza and Amanda King and Azziza and Ramzi Ben Said. He was also predeceased by his brother Willard Jackson Schultz and is survived by his sister-inlaw, Margaret Wheaton Schultz; two nieces, a nephew and their families.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;">A memorial service will be held Oct. 14, at 3 p.m., in All Saints Episcopal Church, 1250 Spear St., S. Burlington. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to: All Saints Episcopal Church, 1250 Spear St., S. Burlington, Vt. 05403; or Addison County Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, Vt. 05753; or Mad River Glen Single Chair Campaign, P.O. Box 1089, Waitsfield, Vt. 05673.</span></blockquote> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;"><br /><br /></span>

"...A Fine, Robust Old Man..." [GLOR]

Robert S. Schultz, BSI ("The Gloria Scott ") crossed over the Reichenbach on September, 7, 2006. Bob was a long-time contributor ...

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by Scott Monty

"...You Have a Quick Eye For Colour..." [IDEN]

Even our least observant readers can see that we've made a tweak in the design of the site. The background color is now light and the text dark, which increases readability, and the style sheet allows the text to flow over a wider portion of the page.<br /><br />The result (we hope) is a smoother, easier to scan blog with the same tools, features and useful links that you have come to enjoy.<br /><br />Please feel free to leave feedback about the look.

"...You Have a Quick Eye For Colour..." [IDEN]

Even our least observant readers can see that we've made a tweak in the design of the site. The background color is now light and the t...

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by Scott Monty

The Strange Friendship of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini

<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "when you have eliminated the impossible" [SIGN]</h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KHIG66G-AL1I1Y1-D6xb8A-dnEjO6w07fIiIyj1Ro71RpePqcDxCjndJNgRkYz_ELsbDGnnOssxa7SALi67TfAgHujFfmucEoGhyphenhyphenQC25cWX_5m8dDkeYNgnKyNlTstR4cD5eK1J7n9fO/s1600/doyle-houdini_0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KHIG66G-AL1I1Y1-D6xb8A-dnEjO6w07fIiIyj1Ro71RpePqcDxCjndJNgRkYz_ELsbDGnnOssxa7SALi67TfAgHujFfmucEoGhyphenhyphenQC25cWX_5m8dDkeYNgnKyNlTstR4cD5eK1J7n9fO/s1600/doyle-houdini_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Even nearly a century later, we're still trying to come to grips with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's foray into Spiritualism. The human mind reels at the conflict between this man of science who created the world's foremost reasoner and a man who was so naive that no reasoning could change his beliefs.<br /> <br /> The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal has written up <a href="https://gwern.net/doc/psychology/cognitive-bias/2006-polidoro-houdinisimpossibledemonstration.html">Houdini's Impossible Demonstration</a>, recounting Harry Houdini's attempt to smack some sense into Conan Doyle.<br /> <br /> To Conan Doyle's credit, he never wavered in his belief, even after Houdini tried to debunk those into whom Conan Doyle placed his faith. But in trying to convince a true believer, Houdini was a little too vain — he didn't reveal how he accomplished the trick. He simply said, "I can assure you that it was accomplished by trickery and by nothing else."<br /> <br /> This was incredibly short-sighted, as he was trying to coax a man out of believing in one thing that required no tangible proof (Spiritualism) and into believing in another thing without proof. The article goes on to reveal how Houdini accomplished this feat.<br /> <br /> If you're interested, here are some additional sources on Doyle and Houdini: <br /> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.americanhauntingsink.com/houdini-doyle"><i>Conan Doyle & Houdini - A Haunted Friendship</i></a></li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/4a2JiJ3"><i>Houdini and Conan Doyle: The Story of a Strange Friendship</i></a></li> <li>And one from the Baker Street Irregulars' own Daniel Stashower, <a href="https://amzn.to/3C0m0qz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>The Houdini Specter: A Harry Houdini Mystery</i></a></li> </ul><br />

The Strange Friendship of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini

"when you have eliminated the impossible" [SIGN] Even nearly a century later, we're still trying to come to grips with Si...

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by Scott Monty

"You Should Publish..." [STUD]

Traditionally, one of the biggest obstacles Sherlockian authors have had to overcome is the seemingly limited audience size for whom they are writing. Excellent books have been written but in many cases have been priced so high as to severely reduce the number of readers who might purchase them.<br /><br />There is an excellent option available at <a style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.lulu.com/">Lulu.com</a>. It is a self-service printing site for authors. Described on the site as: <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lulu is fast, easy and free</span> <p>Publish and sell easily within minutes.<br /> No set-up fees. No minimum order.<br /> Keep control of the rights.<br /> Set your own price.<br /> Each product is printed as it is ordered.<br /> No excess inventory.</p></blockquote><p> </p>So, to all of you amateur authors avidly awaiting an avocation - dust off that Sherlock Holmes-related publication and make it a <a href="http://www.lulu.com/"><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); font-weight: bold;">Lulu</span></a>!

"You Should Publish..." [STUD]

Traditionally, one of the biggest obstacles Sherlockian authors have had to overcome is the seemingly limited audience size for whom they ar...

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by Scott Monty

"...A Scion of One of the Very Oldest Families in the Kingdom..." [MUSG]

The Baker Street Irregulars has lost its oldest member. Ronald Mansbridge, BSI ("A Case of Identity") has passed beyond the Reichenbach.<br /><br />His first BSI dinner was in 1936, but he didn't receive his titular investiture until 1998. An Englishman by birth, he traced his family's roots to the Mansbridge Hundred, a pre-Norman district along Southampton Water in Hampshire.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.legacy.com/NYTimes/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=19129716">His obituary</a>, courtesy of the New York Times:<br /><br /><blockquote>MANSBRIDGE-Ronald, 100. On September 1, 2006, peacefully in his home in Weston, Connecticut. Born 11 November 1905 in England, son of George Frederick Mansbridge, inventor of the Mansbridge electrical condenser, and Florence Quye Mansbridge. Educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, Mansbridge founded the American Branch of Cambridge University Press and served as its manager for 40 years. Beloved husband of the late Georgia St Clair Mullan (d. 1988) and Janet Dunning Van Duyn (d. 2003). Greatly loved by his two children, Jane and Bruce; his two grandchildren, Nathaniel Mansbridge Jencks and Travis Marshall Mansbridge; and by his stepdaughters, Barbara Van Duyn and Ruth Pratt. A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 24 at 2 PM at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Weston. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Amnesty International, 5 Penn Plaza, NYC 10001 or the Tyndale Society, 1000 Regent University Dr, Virginia Beach, VA. 23464. </blockquote>And an <a style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); font-weight: bold;" href="http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article1369582.ece">additional obit</a>, from the Independent.<br /><br />As fate would have it, the Summer issue of <a style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/currentvolume.html">The Baker Street Journal</a> contains an article about Mansbridge, written by Marshall Berdan, who visited with him in his home last November. As a service to the loyal readers of this blog, I'm making that article, <a style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); font-weight: bold;" href="http://h1.ripway.com/wsmonty/SeniorFellow_Mansbridge.pdf">Senior Fellow</a>, available for download as a PDF.<br /><br />Thanks to Susan Dahlinger and Roger Johnson for the obits.

"...A Scion of One of the Very Oldest Families in the Kingdom..." [MUSG]

The Baker Street Irregulars has lost its oldest member. Ronald Mansbridge, BSI ("A Case of Identity") has passed beyond the Reich...

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by Scott Monty

Remembering Barbara Iris Van Buskirk, née Ulan, ASH

<h4 style="text-align: center;">"Stand with me here upon the terrace"</h4><div><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5683/1768/320/VICTORIANA%20copy.0.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="458" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://ash-nyc.com/membership/ashes-to-ashes#ulan" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes</span></a> lost an early member last week as well. Barbara Iris Van Buskirk, ASH passed away on August 30, 2006. She had a large hand in the visual cues we have from ASH today: she designed their pin and the cover of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Serpentine Muse</span>, and helped to write the ASH's constitution.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.citizen-times.net/obituaries/obit.php?id=37306" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Her obituary</span></a>, from the Asheville Citizen-Times:Asheville - Barbara Iris Van Buskirk, 56, of Asheville, died Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006, at John F. Keever Jr. Solace Center.<blockquote><p>She was a daughter of Samuel Ulan of New City, N.Y., and the late Mildred Lindenbaum Ulan.</p> <p>Mrs. Van Buskirk was an accomplished craftsperson, specializing in jewelry and fiber arts and was the designer for the Center For Diversity Education. She was an art director at Bantam/Doubleday/Dell Publishers and a beloved member of Beth Ha Tephila. Barbara was a member of Mystery Writers of America and of the Adventuress' of Sherlock Holmes. She was a loving wife, mother, sister and daughter who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.</p> <p>In addition to her father, she is survived by her husband of 21 years, Charles L. Van Buskirk of Asheville, daughter, Sara Merrill Van Buskirk of the home and sister, Janice Ulan of New York, N.Y.</p> <p>The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Beth Ha Tephila with Rabbi Robert J. Ratner and Cantor Debbie Winston officiating.</p> <p>The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the <a href="http://www.komen.org/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation</span></a>: The Komen Foundation, 5005 LBJ Fwy., Ste. 250, Dallas, TX 75244.<br /></p> <p><a href="http://www.morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Morris Funeral Home</span></a>, 304 Merrimon Ave., is in charge of arrangements.</p> <p>Condolences may be emailed through their Web site.<br /></p></blockquote><p></p>And her "<b><a href="https://ash-nyc.com/membership/ashes-to-ashes#ulan" target="_blank">ASHes to Ashes</a></b>" obituary from the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes, written by Paula Cohen, can be found at this link.<div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"><span lang="0" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 85%;"></span></span>Thanks to Susan Dahlinger for passing this information along.<div><br /></div><div>--</div></div>

Remembering Barbara Iris Van Buskirk, née Ulan, ASH

"Stand with me here upon the terrace" The Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes lost an early member last week as well. Barbara Iris ...

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by Scott Monty