Sherlock Holmes Collections, Many Donors Have Made Contributions Either in Honor Or in Memory E of Special Persons

September 2001 D S O F N Volume 5 Number 3 E T Remembrances I H R In supporting the Sherlock Holmes Collections, many donors have made contributions either in honor or in memory E of special persons. F For any inquiries contact: IN MEMORY OF FROM Timothy J. Johnson, Curator Poul Anderson Laura Kuhn 612-624-3552 or Dennis France Hirayama Yuichi [email protected] Don Hardenbrook Hames Coffin Michael Harrison Samuel E. Fry Sherlock Holmes Collections Sherlock Holmes Cameron Hollyer Bruce Aikin Suite 111, Elmer L. Andersen Library COLLECTIONS Walter McAdam Otto Schultz University of Minnesota E.W. McDiarmid Fred and Sunnie Levin 222 21st Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55455 “Your merits should be publicly recognized” (STUD) E.W. McDiarmid Susan McNellis George Schuster Laura Kuhn Telephone: 612-624-7526 FAX: 612-626-9353 Wayne Swift Samuel E. Fry Timothy J. Johnson, Curator Contents The Basic Holmesian Library The Basic ome say that book collecting (I would say, library building) is a noble occu- Mailing list corrections requested— pation, a great game. To me, and I began collecting books at the age of Because of the high cost of returned newsletters, Homesian Library we would appreciate being informed of changes ten, and I started my Sherlock Holmes library in 1937, collecting is a way of address or other corrections. 1 "Sof life. It is a door which opens to education, pleasure and friendship. I have learned so much and I have made friends whom I treasure even more Library Receives than my books. And I hope I have made myself more humane, better educated, and Maiwand Jezails Artifacts other than a paucity of space and money, more happy than I thought it possible to be."

1 John Bennett Shaw wrote this passage in Collecting Sherlockiana, printed in 1991 by the 100 Years Ago Opuscula Press in Bradenton, FL. In this essay, he defined the differences between a shelf of books (an assortment), a collection of books (a number with a special purpose), 2 and a library (a number of books and other printed material on one subject, or on several). Shaw chose his subject and amassed his own Sherlock Holmes reference library. 50 Years Ago Continued on page 5 3 From the President Library Receives Maiwand Jezails Artifacts

4 ichard D. Lesh, B.S.I. (1965, “The Fatal Battle of Using the Sherlock Maiwand”) donated souvenirs of the June 2, 2001 Holmes Collections Maiwand Jezail dinner to the Sherlock Holmes RCollections. At this conclave, held in Omaha, 7 Nebraska, Commandant Lesh presented Friends President Richard Sveum and Board member John Bergquist with the An Update from the gift of the dinner program and three bottles: Borgia Black Pearl Collections 1904 (Lesh & Cryne Vinters), Yalumba Port Croker (Adelaide, Australia 1786) and Le Petit Corporale (Fine Napoleon Brandy 9 1904).

Acquisitions Photo by John Bergquist John Bennett Shaw kept a file labeled “The Maiwand Jezails” Richard Lesh and 10 among his scion society materials. It contains correspondence, Richard J. Sveum menus and souvenirs of the Maiwand Jezail dinners held over a Musings period of thirty years. Through the continuing efforts of Richard 11 Lesh, the Sherlock Holmes Collections will be able to build upon the materials from John Bennett Shaw’s library. Lesh had previously given special artifacts created to commemorate Remembrances the Maiwand Jezails Dinner of October 23, 1999 which included an illustrated program, 12 original Sherlockian wine labels and one of only fifty unique bronze Sherlockian medals. Continued on page 4

12 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 1 wrongfully accused client; the unlikely “The Resident Patient,” and its similar- Musings villain; the secret code; the false clue ity to the famous demonstration by and the impossible crime. Conan Dupin in “The Murders in the Rue It has been a busy summer for Holmes, a book described by Elaine Doyle understood Poe’s achievement Morgue.” In the view of S.S.T., Conan the Sherlock Holmes Collections Hamill as “a delightful read and an as few others did, and when he took Doyle fails in his duty to acknowledge as you will note in these pages. excellent entrée to the world of up his pen to write “A Study in Poe’s influence on this incident and IThe exhibit held in conjunction Sherlockian scholarship.” (The Sherlock Scarlet” in 1886, he saw a clear line many others. “Now,” he asks at one with the Norwegian Explorers’ confer- Holmes Journal, Summer 1999, p. 55) 100YEARS AGO between Poe’s innovations and his stage, “has Doyle acknowledged the ence “2001: A Sherlockian Odyssey” own ambitions. In my view, however, source of these imitations?” The attracted the conference attendees as Richard Sveum has noted the recent “A Study in Scarlet” and the subse- answer, he would have us believe, is a The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections IS “S.S.T.” THE LOVE-CHILD well as a number of other interested donations from Richard Lesh and the is a quarterly newsletter published by the quent Holmes adventures would resounding no. OF BIGFOOT? parties. Tim Johnson reports on the Maiwand Jezails. It is with pleasure Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections prove to be far less derivative than any exhibits’ many visitors, who certainly that the Sherlock Holmes Collections which seek to promote the activities, inter- of Conan Doyle’s work to that point. As every Sherlockian will recall, how- ests and needs of the Special Collections A Consideration By Daniel Stashower display “the charm of variety”. accepts materials such as these. John and Rare Books Department, University of Sherlock Holmes owed much to ever, Conan Doyle does, in fact, make (NOBL) Bennett Shaw was the keeper of many Minnesota Libraries. Dupin’s fascination with “the infinity an overt reference to Poe during the Elvis and Lindbergh Baby Spotted in scion materials, and it is with such Mail editorial correspondence c/o: of mental excitement,” but Poe’s sto- episode: “‘You remember,’ said Paris Cafe. Loveable Walrus Discovers We would like to welcome Daniel ongoing generosity that Shaw’s library Editor ries served as a catalyst, rather than a [Holmes], ‘that some little time ago Stashower, B.S.I. to these pages. He continues to grow. We hope that Julie McKuras AIDS Vaccine. Prince Edward to be when I read you the passage in one of 13512 Granada Ave. template. has written our 100 Years Ago article every scion society will make the same Apple Valley, MN 55124 Dipped in Cheese, Says Neighborhood Poe’s sketches, in which a close rea- Poodle. regarding an essay published in the effort. 952-431-1934 The question emerges, then, as to how soner follows the unspoken thoughts University of Virginia magazine. Dan 952-431-5965 Fax we determine the difference between a of his companion, you were inclined [email protected] The trouble with a provocative head- is well known to Sherlockians as the After reading the Acquisitions column catalyst and a template — or, as S.S.T. to treat the matter as a mere tour-de- line, no matter how arresting it may author of Teller of Tales, The Life of Sir in the June 2001 issue of this newslet- Editorial Board would have it, the difference between force of the author. . .’” Unforgivably, John Bergquist, Timothy Johnson, be, is that at some stage it will have to Arthur Conan Doyle and The Adventure ter, Saul Cohen of Santa Fe noted that literary inspiration and outright pla- S.S.T. withholds this reference until his Jon Lellenberg, Richard J. Sveum, M.D. be supported by cold, hard facts. of the Ectoplasmic Man. His Harry he had a question as to whether giarism. As I understand it, plagia- final page, when he has already con- Copyright © 2001 Apparently this lesson had not been Houdini mysteries The Dime Museum Christopher and Barbara Roden would University of Minnesota Library rism involves putting forth the ideas demned Conan Doyle as a plagiarist. fully grasped by the anonymous Murders and The Floating Lady Murder actually inscribe a book “with compli- The University of Minnesota is an Equal and words of another as one’s own. In At this late stage, the overt reference to Opportunity Educator and Employer. “S.S.T.” when he contributed his arti- combine his interests in detective fic- ments of the Arthur Conon Doyle the literary realm, this is rocky terrain. Poe is raised only to be dismissed as cle — “Is Doyle a Plagiarist?” — to a tion and magic. A third book in the Society”. No, they certainly wouldn’t. Words can be copyrighted, but, inadequate. S.S.T. concludes: “[W]e 1901 issue of The University of Virginia series, The Houdini Specter, will be Their inscription was from the “Arthur beyond a certain point, ideas cannot. must hold that it does not accord with Magazine. The writer, presumably a published in November. In choosing Conan Doyle Society”. I’m sure that I have written many books in which a the dictates of reason to suppose that student at the university, appears to be a subject for the 100 Years Ago col- Professor Moriarty interfered with murder takes place and a detective this casual reference was intended as rising to the defense of Edgar Allan umn, we found that the Sherlock both the typing and the proofreading brings the killer to justice. The notion an acknowledgement of Doyle’s great Poe, himself a former University of Holmes Collections did not have a of the original sentence. of a detective solving crimes did not debt to Poe. Hence our judgment — Virginia student. S.S.T. presents his copy of the University of Virginia originate with me, nor have I ever Doyle is a plagiarist.” readers with the assertion that Conan magazine; Curator Tim Johnson was Lastly, we would all like to thank been a detective myself. I am simply a Doyle has plagiarized the essential ele- able to obtain a copy of the article Bruce Southworth, B.S.I., for his writer who enjoys reading detective And hence my judgment — S.S.T. has ments of the character of Sherlock from the U. of VA library. The efforts during the time he was associ- fiction, which has led me on occasion his head stuck up his alimentary canal. Holmes from Poe’s fictional sleuth, C. Sherlock Holmes Collections contin- ated with the newsletter and the to draw ideas and situations from the Auguste Dupin. ues to work not only in obtaining new Editorial Board. Bruce was the first work of some of my favorite authors. It would be difficult to find a writer materials, but those previously printed editor of the newsletter, beginning in This is not a crime. If it were, Milton, who acknowledged his literary influ- The similarities between Holmes and as well. early 1997, and stepped down from Homer and Shakespeare would have ences more readily than Sir Arthur the Board of the Friends of the Dupin — and the plots of some of Conan Doyle, especially when it came much to answer for. As 2001 marks the 50th Anniversary Sherlock Holmes Collections in June. their adventures — have frequently to Edgar Allan Poe. “Poe is the master been noted, and it is not necessary to of the Sherlock Holmes Society of We wish him well. In reviewing the case of Poe and of all,” Conan Doyle once had occa- revisit those parallels here. It may be London, it seems appropriate that we Conan Doyle, S.S.T. arrives at a differ- sion to write. “If every man who said briefly that Poe’s reputation as the choose an item written by a former Julie McKuras, A.S.H., B.S.I. ent conclusion. He would have us receives a cheque for a story which father of modern detective fiction rests Chairman of that august group. John believe that Conan Doyle has not only owes its springs to Poe were to pay a on five short stories written between Bergquist has taken time from his new borrowed ideas from Poe, but that he tithe to a monument for the master, he the years of 1841 and 1844. In these duties as Vice President of the Friends has done so improperly and without would have a pyramid as big as that of stories, three of which feature Dupin, of the Sherlock Holmes Collection to attribution. He makes his case pri- Cheops.” Poe anticipated virtually every conven- examine Gavin Brend’s My Dear marily on the strength of the mind- tion of the classic detective story — reading episode which appears vari- Indeed, at the time that S.S.T. wrote the brooding, eccentric sleuth; the ously in “The Cardboard Box” and his article, Conan Doyle had not only comparatively dense sidekick; the Continued on page 8

2 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 11 G.K. Chesterton Acquistions indulging in only occasional specula- 100 books for his Basic Holmesian tion, as when he wonders aloud Library. Another work of Brend’s, “The whether some of Watson’s anachro- Route of the Blue Carbuncle”, is 2001: A Sherlockian Odyssey, Steve Clarkson, B.S.I., of Ellicott City, Ed Christenson of Oshkosh, WI for- nisms were actually coded signals sent included in James Edward Holroyd’s A Journey Among the Shaw Maryland donated the original manu- warded a complete run of Travels with to Holmes during the Great Hiatus by anthology Seventeen Steps to 221B, also 100” was the perfect opportuni- script of The Canonical Compendium. Sherlock. This is the quarterly newslet- his brother Mycroft. In his Preface, listed in the Shaw 100. "ty for a number of attendees to Mr. Clarkson was a speaker at the ter of the Merripit House Guests, and Brend acknowledged the earlier donate items to the Sherlock Holmes symposium, discussing the origin of covers the period from Summer of YEARS AGO chronological work of Bell and Brend, a solicitor by profession, served Collections. The conference, held his book which was published in 1999. For those who haven’t seen the 50 Blakeney, but he did not mention as the fourth Chairman of the Sherlock June 29 – July 1 and hosted by the 1999. publication, Sherlock is Christenson’s Baring-Gould or J. Finley Christ, Holmes Society of London, dying in Norwegian Explorers of Minnesota, Shih-Tzu, and the articles are written 1951 was a banner year in London for whose chronology had been published office in 1958 at the age of 54. He also focused on the John Bennett Shaw’s Don Hobbs of Flower Mound, Texas from his perspective. keeping green the memory of Sherlock in 1947. (The other major early work belonged to the Dickens Fellowship list of 100 Books most important to donated the pamphlet The Palimpsest of Holmes: This was the year that saw the of this type, Ernest Bloomfield Zeisler’s and had an unfulfilled dream of stag- the Cult of Sherlock Holmes. With Gloria Patri. Sherlock Holmes Exhibition at Abbey Baker Street Chronology, was not pub- ing a debate between the Fellowship their donations, these individuals con- House; the resuscitation of the lished until 1953, two years after and the Society on the question of Sherlock Holmes Society, renamed the tinue the spirit of John Bennett Shaw. Charles Press of Lansing, Michigan Brend’s.)2 whether “The Blue Carbuncle” was a added to the Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes Society of London; better Christmas story than A Caroline Bryan of Rio Rancho, New Collections’ holdings with programs and the publication of My Dear Christmas Carol. Although Brend didn’t Mexico donated the Sherlockian scrap- from The Greek Interpreters, helping Holmes, by Gavin Brend. live to participate, the debate was duly book that belonged to the late to meet our goal of having copies of all held in his memory in 1959.3 Katherine McMahon. Ms. McMahon scion societies publications. Mr. Press My Dear Holmes was the most com- was one of the original few who suc- also donated the game Murder on the plete “biography” of Holmes to date, John Bergquist cessfully completed the legendary Orient Express, listed as “A Sherlock presenting the master detective’s career Sherlock Holmes Crossword which Holmes Mystery Game”. as a continuous narrative while placing 1. Baring-Gould’s 1948 chronology was pub- appeared in the May 19, 1934 cases and events as recorded by Dr. Watson into chronological order. lished in the Baker Street Journal (New Saturday Review of Literature. Allen J. Heiss of Salem, Wisconsin Series), Vol. 3, Nos. 3 and 4. In 1955 The puzzle was initially designed by donated his recently published A Because the good doctor had been so Baring-Gould published a revised and Christopher Morley’s brother Frank Sherlock Holmes Trilogy. This book fea- careless and inaccurate in his dating of greatly expanded chronology, The and was intended as a test for admit- tures three stories, “The Satyr of Holmes’s cases, Brend found that Chronological Holmes. This latter chronolo- establishing the order of events “was gy was summarized in Baring-Gould’s fan- tance into the Baker Street Irregulars. Stonehenge”, “The Curious Allen J. Heiss Photo by not so easy as it sounds.” In his ciful biography Sherlock Holmes of Baker Ms. McMahon and her fellow employ- Connoisseur”, and “The Illusion of Katherine McMahon's Queen Victoria Medal with Street (1962) and in The Annotated ees at Mrs. Cowlin’s Open Book Shop Glory”. the January 24, 1990 note from Thomas L. Stix, Jr., Preface, Brend states, “The pieces in Sherlock Holmes (1967). included in Ms. McMahon's notebook in Elgin, Illinois passed the test, but this elaborate jig-saw puzzle refused to due to their pre-existing membership Doug Wrigglesworth of Holland fit. Dates had to be altered. Reasons 2. For a comparison of these and later chronologies, see The Date Being—?, by in the female sex, were not made Landing, Ontario gave a brief update had to be found for altering the dates. New mysteries came to light demand- Andrew Jay Peck and Leslie S. Klinger, members of the B.S.I. In 1990, on the upcoming Bootmakers of Magico Magazine, New York, 1997. ing a solution. Before long I came to Thomas Stix, Jr. awarded the Queen Toronto’s “Footprints of the Hound” Photo by John Bergquist Victoria Medal to Ms. McMahon, and conference, scheduled for October 19 the conclusion that the only way to My Dear Holmes 3. For background information on Brend, the following year, she received her – October 21, and made a gift of the unravel the tangle was to write the author acknowledges W.T. Rabe’s S’ian Holmes’s life. Hence this book.” Brend Who’s Who and What’s What, Old Soldiers investiture as Lucy Ferrier. Included symposium’s handouts. The Collections owns copies of My of Baker Street, Ferndale, Michigan, 1962, in the notebook are both of these leavens his scholarship with a light touch, for example “Why is [Watson] Dear Holmes from the former libraries and Elaine Hamill’s article “THE CLAS- awards, as well as programs for the Les Klinger Of Malibu, California SICS REASSESSED 6. My Dear Holmes by blessed with a superfluity of Christian of John Bennett Shaw, Philip Hench, Brothers Three Moriarty, quizzes by donated the galleys, proof pages, and E.W. McDiarmid and Bill Rabe. The Gavin Brend,” The Sherlock Holmes Journal, names whilst in the Moriarty family Vol. 24, No. 2, Summer, 1999. Hamill John Bennett Shaw, and copies of manuscripts of his The Adventures of first edition, published by George Allen Caroline Bryan’s Shadow of the Elms Sherlock Holmes, A Study in Scarlet, and there is a shortage?” acknowledges the assistance of Richard & Unwin Ltd., features a scarlet dust Lancelyn Green, who had given her access Newsletter. There are numerous pho- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. jacket bearing the first-class carriage to his extensive collection. tographs of Ms. McMahon with Mr. Brend was the fourth ‘B’ to have undertaken a Holmesian “chronology,” illustration by Sidney Paget from Shaw, Mr. Stix and Caroline, as well as “Silver Blaze.” The book was reprinted letters. following H.W. Bell in 1932, T.S. Blakeney in 1932, and William S. in a paperback edition in 1994 by Otto 1 Penzler Books of New York. Shaw Photo by Allen J. Heiss Photo by Baring-Gould in 1948. For the most selected My Dear Holmes as one of the Timothy Johnson holding the recently published part, Brend hews close to the Canon, A Sherlock Holmes Triology by Allen J. Heiss

10 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 3 From the President An Update From the Collections

n Saturday June 30, 2001 a presented with a reading of Mac Peter Blau then conducted an Auction ords are a poor substi- group of about 120 were (Sigerson) McDiarmid’s life story, to benefit the McDiarmid Curatorship. tute, but I trust this con- lead by a bagpiper from the remembering him as a scholar, gentle- Items sold included a special confer- veys some of the plea- OHoliday Inn to the Elmer L. man, librarian and Sherlockian. Our ence poster hand colored by the artist Wsure I felt in welcoming Andersen Library for the 2001 Annual goal is to honor him through our con- Lynette Yencho and a book donated by those of you who were present during Membership Meeting of the Friends of tinued support of the Sherlock Holmes Joe Eckrich and The Parallel Case of the recent conference to the Andersen the Sherlock Holmes Collections. Our Collections. The Sigerson Society has St. Louis in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Library for the chance you had to view business meeting was conducted in been established to recognize those Bartlett Simms. the Collections and the Shaw exhibit, the Givens Suites and noted that donors who have made a gift, pledge and for the enjoyment of your compa- finances were in order. The or bequest provision of $10,000 or The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes ny while you were in town. I had a Nominating Committee report was more in support of the Sherlock Collections thanks everyone who very good time; I hope you did as read by Board Member Michael Holmes Collections. A Certificate of helped with the Norwegian Explorers’ well. For those of you who did not McKuras and reported new Board Appreciation for charter membership conference associated activities. I have the chance to attend the confer- Members for 2001 Lucy Brusic, in the Sigerson Society was awarded to would like to thank John Bergquist, ence, I want to extend an open invita- Patricia Nelson and Steve Stilwell. Mary McDiarmid, John and Inez Julie McKuras and Gary Thaden for tion to visit us when you are in town. Officers elected were President Richard Bergquist, Michael and Julie McKuras, leading the underground tours of the Please contact me regarding your visit, Sveum, Vice President John Bergquist, The Hubbs Family, Timothy Johnson, Elmer L. Andersen Library at the and I’d be delighted to give you a tour Secretary Julie McKuras and Treasurer Allen Mackler and Richard Sveum. Friday Exhibit Opening Reception. of the building and the Collections.

Timothy Johnson. Special recognition We hope that with everyone helping Photo by Julie McKuras was given to retiring Board Members The membership meeting continued we can become the World Center for I am also thrilled with the continued Tim Johnson and Tasya Rosenfeld of Minnesota Public Radio Ruth Berman, Jamie Hubbs, Allen with Curator Tim Johnson giving the the Study and Research on Sherlock attention our exhibit, “The Basic Mackler and Bruce Southworth. State of the Collections Address. Holmes. I personally hope that many Holmesian Library,” has generated. pages. It was a very memorable addition, we’re planning to work with Michael Whelan, Wiggins of the Baker more will contribute to the McDiarmid Just before the conference began, the time, as you’ll discover. And I can’t Derham Groves and his students to The E. W. McDiarmid Curatorship for Street Irregulars, gave a few remarks in Curatorship and many more will join local Fox News affiliate sent a crew to forget to report that the exhibit was produce another architectural exhibit, the Sherlock Holmes Collections was remembrance of John Bennett Shaw. the Sigerson Society. videotape the exhibit and interview the focus for a reception held by the U also online. Monies continue to be Kathi Neal, my assistant curator. A of M Law Library as a part of the raised for the McDiarmid Curatorship, Richard J. Sveum, M.D. story appeared on the evening news American Association of Law and a number of donors (now mem- that same day. In addition, a newspa- Librarians annual conference held in bers of the Sigerson Society, for their per story appeared in the Minnesota Minneapolis. Over 250 academic law contributions in excess of $10,000) Daily and just yesterday (I’m writing Maiwand Jezails Artifacts Continued from Page 1 librarians had a chance to view the were recognized at the Friends meet- this on July 19th) Julie McKuras and I exhibit, take tours of the building, and ing. We intend to catalog audio visual spent a few hours with a producer Founded by Professor Lesh, Chairman dues, newsletter, head table, scheduled Remarkable!” an improbable account converse with the great detective (who materials and artifacts after the books from Minnesota Public Radio for a of the Art Department at Wayne State meetings or females. The dinners fea- of a highly impossible plan. Richard made a special guest appearance for and serials are cataloged. A search in piece that will appear shortly on the College, the Maiwand Jezails held their ture gourmet food and libations, flags Lesh is also the author of “Watson, the event). our online catalog will give you some local segment of “All Things first meeting on October 13, 1963. and pictures, and an authentic antique Come Here; I Want You: In hint at the overall activity, and quality, Considered,” the late afternoon news The after dinner activities were careful- Jezail rifle on the wall. A table is Afghanistan” Baker Street Journal Finally, let me give you a brief recap of of the cataloging records that our program. You’ll all have a chance to ly arranged with both the school always set for guests Holmes and Volume 14, No.3 (Sept 64), 136-138. my “state of the collections” address enthusiastic staff is producing. More hear more about the exhibit and the library and the local newspapers. The Watson, should their schedules allow given to the Friends meeting during awaits to be done, such as additional Collections (in addition to some 13 dinner attendees tried to break into them to attend. Special guests have The Sherlock Holmes Collections is the conference. We are in very good preservation treatments on book jack- ‘sound effects’ of the cavern doors the library in order to change the card included Basil Rathbone in 1965 and pleased to continue John Bennett shape. The Hubbs/Holmes cataloging ets, but for now I’m stepping aside for opening and closing, the lighting catalog for the Sherlock Holmes stories Wiggins Michael Whelan this year. Shaw’s collections of scion society arti- project is at the halfway point and we a trip east and a chance to become a timers clicking away, and the sounds to credit John H. Watson as the facts. We extend a special thank you to are ahead of schedule in terms of Greek interpreter. I hope to see many and descriptions of traveling under- author. Since that date, the dinner as The Maiwand Jezails’ 37 year dream is Commandant Richard Lesh for donat- numbers of volumes cataloged (now of you in Toronto for the “Hounds” ground in the Andersen Library). As well as the scion have been conducted the erection of a monument on the ing these items to help preserve and over 7,000). New acquisitions and conference in October and trust you’ll you might deduce, Julie and I had a on a quasi-military plan with battlefield of Maiwand to honor Dr. treasure memorable events such as the gifts continue to be received. My con- give our Canadian colleagues the fun time. Commandant Lesh as the “Benevolent John H. Watson. Bill Rabe’s “Voices Maiwand Jezails dinners. tinuing thanks to you for thinking of same resounding support that is evi- Despot” and thus no secretaries or from Baker Street #2” features on side the Collections in this manner. We’re dent in Minnesota. We also had an extraordinary visit treasurers reports, no ballots, quizzes, 2, band 3, “Remarkable Lesh: Simply Richard J. Sveum, M.D. planning on creating an online version from a group of young summer school of the current “Basic Holmesian Tim Johnson students, part of the “Doolittle Library” exhibit for those who don’t Detective Agency.” Julie McKuras have a chance to see it in person. In reports on that visit elsewhere in these

4 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 9 100 Years Ago Continued from Page 2 The Basic Holmesian Library Continued from Page 1 acknowledged his debt to Poe, he had writer of short stories [Conan Doyle] “Sure, there are times when one cries When he began his work with The Norwegian Explorers of The exhibit officially opened on June taken the trouble to travel to America cannot say enough.” Later still, in with acidity, Sherlockian symposiums he sought to Minnesota chose Shaw’s List of 100 as 30 when conference participants to do so. While facing the press in 1901, Conan Doyle made this declara- ‘Where are the limits of human assist other collectors by compiling a the subject for their conference “2001: toured the Elmer L. Andersen Library New York in October of 1894, Conan tion to journalist Mortimer Menpes: stupidity?’ list of the books, periodicals and pam- A Sherlockian Odyssey” held June 29 and “The Basic Holmesian Library, An Doyle was asked whether he had been “Why, Sherlock Holmes was merely a Here is a critic who says as a platitude, phlets that he thought were essential – July 1. Tim Johnson, Curator of Exhibit Based on Shaw’s List of 100”. influenced by Poe’s stories when he mechanical creature, not a man of That I am guilty because ‘in to the cult of Sherlock Holmes. He Special Collections and Rare Books, A number of the attendees had the created Sherlock Holmes. Many of the flesh and blood — and easy to create ingratitude, titled his 1977 listing “The Basic took this opportunity to host an opportunity to see their own works other journalists present, it seems, because he was soulless. One story by Sherlock, the sleuth hound, with Holmesian Library”. In the years that exhibit in conjunction with the confer- displayed among the Shaw 100, and believed that Conan Doyle would take Edgar Allan Poe would be worth a motives ulterior, followed, he revised the list as new ence and with the annual meeting of others took time to recount stories of umbrage at the question. “A hush fell dozen such.” Sneers at Poe’s Dupin as very writings appeared. These listings fol- the Friends of the Sherlock Holmes having visited Shaw’s library at his in the room,” wrote the reporter from “inferior”,’ low the same format, varying slightly Collections. Over a period of several home in Santa Fe. For all who have The New York Times. “It could be These tributes were not limited to in headings of each section, and note weeks, books and periodicals were either had the opportunity to walk heard as distinctly as if the string of a author interviews. In a story called Have you not learned, my esteemed publications under the categories of selected with an eye to not only the through the exhibit or use his list as a violin had snapped.” As it happened, “The Fate of Evangeline,” published in commentator, The Canon; The Apocrypha; Holmes, variety within the list, but also the guide to their own library building, Conan Doyle wasn’t at all affronted. 1885, Conan Doyle offered an espe- That the created is not the creator? General Writings About; The Agent; variety among the collectors them- the wish remains the same as the one “Oh, immensely!” he responded, cially resonant passage: “It would be As the creator I’ve praised to satiety Bibliography and Chronology; selves. The exhibit featured materials expressed by John Bennett Shaw in apparently warming to the question. well if those who express opinions Poe’s Monsieur Dupin, his skill and Performing Arts; Specialized Items; from the collections of John Bennett closing each of his revised lists: “Good “His detective is the best in fiction.” upon such subjects would bear in variety, Parodies and Pastiches; and Shaw, E. W. McDiarmid, Felix Morley, reading and good collecting.” mind those simple rules as to the And have admitted that in my Periodicals. Bill Rabe, Vincent Starrett and Philip “Except Sherlock Holmes,” another analysis of evidence laid down by detective work, Hench, and the items themselves The exhibit was on display through reporter ventured. Auguste Dupin. ‘Exclude the impossi- I owe to my model a deal of ranged from the pristine to the tattered the end of August. ble,’ he remarks in one of Poe’s immor- selective work. reading copy. Conan Doyle would not be swayed. tal stories, ‘and what is left, however Julie McKuras “I make no exception,” he answered. improbable, must be the truth.’” But is it not on the verge of inanity In some re-tellings of this incident, To put down to me my creation’s Conan Doyle is reported to have thun- There are other such references made crude vanity? dered his reply with angry bluster, as prior to 1901, the date of the S.S.T. He, the created, the puppet of fiction, though consigning Sherlock Holmes to article, but the young critic apparently Would not brook rivals nor stand literary hell. According to The New failed to discover any of them — and, contradiction. York Times, however, he answered the in effect, proceeded to make bricks He, the created, would scoff and question “very earnestly,” and went on without sufficient clay. Worse, per- would sneer, to elaborate. “Dupin is unrivaled,” he haps, in Conan Doyle’s view, would Where I, the Creator, would bow stated. “It was Poe who taught the have been the insistence on condemn- and revere. possibility of making a detective story ing Conan Doyle on the strength of a work of literature.” remarks made by Sherlock Holmes. It So please grip this fact with your is not known whether Conan Doyle cerebral tentacle, Is it unreasonable to expect that S.S.T. ever saw the piece by S.S.T. Even if he The doll and its maker are never

should have known this when he had troubled to defend himself, how- identical.” Photo by Julie McKurass Photo by Julie McKuras launched his attack nearly ten years ever, there would have been other The Basic Holmesian Library Exhibit. This case features The Sherlock Holmes Scrapbook Leslie Klinger and by Peter Haining and a statue of Holmes by St. Paul, MN artist Lynette Yencho Jon Lellenberg inside later? Possibly, but Conan Doyle’s like-minded critics waiting in the The Sherlock Holmes Collections remarks to the New York press were wings. One thinks immediately of by no means his only words on the Arthur Guiterman’s rhymed criticism subject. Here, for example, is a — “To Sir Arthur Conan Doyle” — remark made in an interview with published in 1912, which contains the Raymond Blathwayt, published in The line: “Borrow, Sir Knight, but be can- Bookman in 1892: “The best detective did in borrowing!” It seems appropri- in fiction is E. A. Poe’s Mons. Dupin.” ate, therefore, to close with the famous Then there is this comment by the reply — “To An Undiscerning Critic” writer of a profile in an 1895 Ladies’ — thus allowing Conan Doyle himself Home Journal: “Of Poe’s genius as a to have the final word: Photo by Julie McKuras The Basic Holmesian Libary Exhibit

8 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 The Basic Holmesian Library Using the Sherlock Holmes Collections

he Doolittle Detective Agency the group on a tour of the Elmer L. actors who played in the show over came on a sleuthing expedi- Andersen Library in addition to the years. Among other things, Susan tion to the Sherlock Holmes answering questions. says it was fun to learn that the first TCollections on July 9, 2001. Alice Faulkner wore a bonnet trimmed Jean Doolittle and her class of 13 One item of special interest to the with violets for her final love scene young detectives, ages 7 –11 years old, group was Ely Liebow’s Dr. Joe Bell: with Holmes and that William viewed The Basic Holmesian Library Model for Sherlock Holmes. Joseph Postance, Gillette’s secretary and stage Exhibit. Their 4 week class was called Anderson, a member of the Doolittle manager, started his theatrical career “The Mystery Club – You Be the Detective Agency, is the great-great- in London in the company of John Detective” and was a part of the grand nephew of Dr. Bell. Joseph’s Hare, the only real actor mentioned in Summer Enrichment Program of the mother is from Sussex, and members the Canon. SED will be speaking Minneapolis Public Schools. They of the family still reside there, as does about Gillette and Conan Doyle in studied the detective method by read- an elderly beekeeper. October at the "Footprints of the ing an Encyclopedia Brown story, watch- Hound" conference in Toronto. Photo by Julie McKuras by Julie Photo ing movies including a cartoon of “The Dahlinger visited the Collections the The Basic Holmesian Library exhibit. The book in front is Valley of Fear” and deciphering codes. week of June 24 to log some research Paula Perry of New York, New York The Elementary Methods of Sherlock Holmes by Brad Keefauver Ms. Doolittle viewed the exhibition time prior to “2001: A Sherlockian recently visited the Sherlock Holmes prior to the field trip and prepared a Odyssey”. The William Gillette tour Collections. Paula was in Minneapolis quiz to test the students' observation scrapbooks yielded up many technical for the American Association of Law skills regarding the objects within the details about the production of Librarians conference. display. Special Collections and Rare Sherlock Holmes here and in London, Books Curator Timothy Johnson took as well as biographical data about the Julie McKuras Photo by Julie McKuras Richard Lancelyn Green and Daniel Posnansky inside

the Sherlock Holmes Collections Photo by Julie McKuras Julie by Photo

Timothy Johnson and Joseph Anderson

The Doolittle Detective Agency

Photo by Julie McKuras

Photo by Julie McKuras Julie by Photo , The Basic Holmesian Library, with JohnThe Bennett Baker StreetShaw's Dozen Sherlockian puppet. His feet are resting on

edited by Pj Doyle and E.W. McDiarmid Photo by Julie McKuras Julie by Photo The Basic Holmesian Library Exhibit The Great Detective Appears at the reception for the American

Photo by Julie McKuras

he Doolittle Detective Agency the group on a tour of the Elmer L. actors who played in the show over came on a sleuthing expedi- Andersen Library in addition to the years. Among other things, Susan tion to the Sherlock Holmes answering questions. says it was fun to learn that the first TCollections on July 9, 2001. Alice Faulkner wore a bonnet trimmed Jean Doolittle and her class of 13 One item of special interest to the with violets for her final love scene young detectives, ages 7 –11 years old, group was Ely Liebow’s Dr. Joe Bell: with Holmes and that William viewed The Basic Holmesian Library Model for Sherlock Holmes. Joseph Postance, Gillette’s secretary and stage Exhibit. Their 4 week class was called Anderson, a member of the Doolittle manager, started his theatrical career “The Mystery Club – You Be the Detective Agency, is the great-great- in London in the company of John Detective” and was a part of the grand nephew of Dr. Bell. Joseph’s Hare, the only real actor mentioned in Summer Enrichment Program of the mother is from Sussex, and members the Canon. SED will be speaking Minneapolis Public Schools. They of the family still reside there, as does about Gillette and Conan Doyle in studied the detective method by read- an elderly beekeeper. October at the "Footprints of the ing an Encyclopedia Brown story, watch- Hound" conference in Toronto. Photo by Julie McKuras ing movies including a cartoon of “The Dahlinger visited the Collections the The Basic Holmesian Library exhibit. The book in front is Valley of Fear” and deciphering codes. week of June 24 to log some research Paula Perry of New York, New York The Elementary Methods of Sherlock Holmes by Brad Keefauver Ms. Doolittle viewed the exhibition time prior to “2001: A Sherlockian recently visited the Sherlock Holmes prior to the field trip and prepared a Odyssey”. The William Gillette tour Collections. Paula was in Minneapolis quiz to test the students' observation scrapbooks yielded up many technical for the American Association of Law skills regarding the objects within the details about the production of Librarians conference. display. Special Collections and Rare Sherlock Holmes here and in London, Books Curator Timothy Johnson took as well as biographical data about the Julie McKuras Photo by Julie McKuras by Julie Photo Richard Lancelyn Green and Daniel Posnansky inside

the Sherlock Holmes Collections Photo by Julie McKuras Julie by Photo

Timothy Johnson and Joseph Anderson

The Doolittle Detective Agency

Photo by Julie McKuras

Photo by Julie McKuras Julie by Photo , The Basic Holmesian Library, with JohnThe Bennett Baker StreetShaw's Dozen Sherlockian puppet. His feet are resting on

edited by Pj Doyle and E.W. McDiarmid Photo by Julie McKuras Julie by Photo The Basic Holmesian Library Exhibit The Great Detective Appears at the reception for the American

Photo by Julie McKuras

Photo courtesy of The University of Minnesota Paula Perry, with Vincent Starrett's copy of Assocation of Law Librarians Beeton's Christmas Annual 6 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 7 100 Years Ago Continued from Page 2 The Basic Holmesian Library Continued from Page 1 acknowledged his debt to Poe, he had writer of short stories [Conan Doyle] “Sure, there are times when one cries When he began his work with The Norwegian Explorers of The exhibit officially opened on June taken the trouble to travel to America cannot say enough.” Later still, in with acidity, Sherlockian symposiums he sought to Minnesota chose Shaw’s List of 100 as 30 when conference participants to do so. While facing the press in 1901, Conan Doyle made this declara- ‘Where are the limits of human assist other collectors by compiling a the subject for their conference “2001: toured the Elmer L. Andersen Library New York in October of 1894, Conan tion to journalist Mortimer Menpes: stupidity?’ list of the books, periodicals and pam- A Sherlockian Odyssey” held June 29 and “The Basic Holmesian Library, An Doyle was asked whether he had been “Why, Sherlock Holmes was merely a Here is a critic who says as a platitude, phlets that he thought were essential – July 1. Tim Johnson, Curator of Exhibit Based on Shaw’s List of 100”. influenced by Poe’s stories when he mechanical creature, not a man of That I am guilty because ‘in to the cult of Sherlock Holmes. He Special Collections and Rare Books, A number of the attendees had the created Sherlock Holmes. Many of the flesh and blood — and easy to create ingratitude, titled his 1977 listing “The Basic took this opportunity to host an opportunity to see their own works other journalists present, it seems, because he was soulless. One story by Sherlock, the sleuth hound, with Holmesian Library”. In the years that exhibit in conjunction with the confer- displayed among the Shaw 100, and believed that Conan Doyle would take Edgar Allan Poe would be worth a motives ulterior, followed, he revised the list as new ence and with the annual meeting of others took time to recount stories of umbrage at the question. “A hush fell dozen such.” Sneers at Poe’s Dupin as very writings appeared. These listings fol- the Friends of the Sherlock Holmes having visited Shaw’s library at his in the room,” wrote the reporter from “inferior”,’ low the same format, varying slightly Collections. Over a period of several home in Santa Fe. For all who have The New York Times. “It could be These tributes were not limited to in headings of each section, and note weeks, books and periodicals were either had the opportunity to walk heard as distinctly as if the string of a author interviews. In a story called Have you not learned, my esteemed publications under the categories of selected with an eye to not only the through the exhibit or use his list as a violin had snapped.” As it happened, “The Fate of Evangeline,” published in commentator, The Canon; The Apocrypha; Holmes, variety within the list, but also the guide to their own library building, Conan Doyle wasn’t at all affronted. 1885, Conan Doyle offered an espe- That the created is not the creator? General Writings About; The Agent; variety among the collectors them- the wish remains the same as the one “Oh, immensely!” he responded, cially resonant passage: “It would be As the creator I’ve praised to satiety Bibliography and Chronology; selves. The exhibit featured materials expressed by John Bennett Shaw in apparently warming to the question. well if those who express opinions Poe’s Monsieur Dupin, his skill and Performing Arts; Specialized Items; from the collections of John Bennett closing each of his revised lists: “Good “His detective is the best in fiction.” upon such subjects would bear in variety, Parodies and Pastiches; and Shaw, E. W. McDiarmid, Felix Morley, reading and good collecting.” mind those simple rules as to the And have admitted that in my Periodicals. Bill Rabe, Vincent Starrett and Philip “Except Sherlock Holmes,” another analysis of evidence laid down by detective work, Hench, and the items themselves The exhibit was on display through reporter ventured. Auguste Dupin. ‘Exclude the impossi- I owe to my model a deal of ranged from the pristine to the tattered the end of August. ble,’ he remarks in one of Poe’s immor- selective work. reading copy. Conan Doyle would not be swayed. tal stories, ‘and what is left, however Julie McKuras “I make no exception,” he answered. improbable, must be the truth.’” But is it not on the verge of inanity In some re-tellings of this incident, To put down to me my creation’s Conan Doyle is reported to have thun- There are other such references made crude vanity? dered his reply with angry bluster, as prior to 1901, the date of the S.S.T. He, the created, the puppet of fiction, though consigning Sherlock Holmes to article, but the young critic apparently Would not brook rivals nor stand literary hell. According to The New failed to discover any of them — and, contradiction. York Times, however, he answered the in effect, proceeded to make bricks He, the created, would scoff and question “very earnestly,” and went on without sufficient clay. Worse, per- would sneer, to elaborate. “Dupin is unrivaled,” he haps, in Conan Doyle’s view, would Where I, the Creator, would bow stated. “It was Poe who taught the have been the insistence on condemn- and revere. possibility of making a detective story ing Conan Doyle on the strength of a work of literature.” remarks made by Sherlock Holmes. It So please grip this fact with your is not known whether Conan Doyle cerebral tentacle, Is it unreasonable to expect that S.S.T. ever saw the piece by S.S.T. Even if he The doll and its maker are never

8 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 From the President An Update From the Collections n Saturday June 30, 2001 a presented with a reading of Mac Peter Blau then conducted an Auction ords are a poor substi- group of about 120 were (Sigerson) McDiarmid’s life story, to benefit the McDiarmid Curatorship. tute, but I trust this con- lead by a bagpiper from the remembering him as a scholar, gentle- Items sold included a special confer- veys some of the plea- OHoliday Inn to the Elmer L. man, librarian and Sherlockian. Our ence poster hand colored by the artist Wsure I felt in welcoming Andersen Library for the 2001 Annual goal is to honor him through our con- Lynette Yencho and a book donated by those of you who were present during Membership Meeting of the Friends of tinued support of the Sherlock Holmes Joe Eckrich and The Parallel Case of the recent conference to the Andersen the Sherlock Holmes Collections. Our Collections. The Sigerson Society has St. Louis in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Library for the chance you had to view business meeting was conducted in been established to recognize those Bartlett Simms. the Collections and the Shaw exhibit, the Givens Suites and noted that donors who have made a gift, pledge and for the enjoyment of your compa- finances were in order. The or bequest provision of $10,000 or The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes ny while you were in town. I had a Nominating Committee report was more in support of the Sherlock Collections thanks everyone who very good time; I hope you did as read by Board Member Michael Holmes Collections. A Certificate of helped with the Norwegian Explorers’ well. For those of you who did not McKuras and reported new Board Appreciation for charter membership conference associated activities. I have the chance to attend the confer- Members for 2001 Lucy Brusic, in the Sigerson Society was awarded to would like to thank John Bergquist, ence, I want to extend an open invita- Patricia Nelson and Steve Stilwell. Mary McDiarmid, John and Inez Julie McKuras and Gary Thaden for tion to visit us when you are in town. Officers elected were President Richard Bergquist, Michael and Julie McKuras, leading the underground tours of the Please contact me regarding your visit, Sveum, Vice President John Bergquist, The Hubbs Family, Timothy Johnson, Elmer L. Andersen Library at the and I’d be delighted to give you a tour Secretary Julie McKuras and Treasurer Allen Mackler and Richard Sveum. Friday Exhibit Opening Reception. of the building and the Collections.

4 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 9 Acquistions indulging in only occasional specula- 100 books for his Basic Holmesian tion, as when he wonders aloud Library. Another work of Brend’s, “The whether some of Watson’s anachro- Route of the Blue Carbuncle”, is 2001: A Sherlockian Odyssey, Steve Clarkson, B.S.I., of Ellicott City, Ed Christenson of Oshkosh, WI for- nisms were actually coded signals sent included in James Edward Holroyd’s A Journey Among the Shaw Maryland donated the original manu- warded a complete run of Travels with to Holmes during the Great Hiatus by anthology Seventeen Steps to 221B, also 100” was the perfect opportuni- script of The Canonical Compendium. Sherlock. This is the quarterly newslet- his brother Mycroft. In his Preface, listed in the Shaw 100. "ty for a number of attendees to Mr. Clarkson was a speaker at the ter of the Merripit House Guests, and Brend acknowledged the earlier donate items to the Sherlock Holmes symposium, discussing the origin of covers the period from Summer of YEARS AGO chronological work of Bell and Brend, a solicitor by profession, served Collections. The conference, held his book which was published in 1999. For those who haven’t seen the 50 Blakeney, but he did not mention as the fourth Chairman of the Sherlock June 29 – July 1 and hosted by the 1999. publication, Sherlock is Christenson’s Baring-Gould or J. Finley Christ, Holmes Society of London, dying in Norwegian Explorers of Minnesota, Shih-Tzu, and the articles are written 1951 was a banner year in London for whose chronology had been published office in 1958 at the age of 54. He also focused on the John Bennett Shaw’s Don Hobbs of Flower Mound, Texas from his perspective. keeping green the memory of Sherlock in 1947. (The other major early work belonged to the Dickens Fellowship list of 100 Books most important to donated the pamphlet The Palimpsest of Holmes: This was the year that saw the of this type, Ernest Bloomfield Zeisler’s and had an unfulfilled dream of stag- the Cult of Sherlock Holmes. With Gloria Patri. Sherlock Holmes Exhibition at Abbey Baker Street Chronology, was not pub- ing a debate between the Fellowship their donations, these individuals con- House; the resuscitation of the lished until 1953, two years after and the Society on the question of Sherlock Holmes Society, renamed the tinue the spirit of John Bennett Shaw. Charles Press of Lansing, Michigan Brend’s.)2 whether “The Blue Carbuncle” was a added to the Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes Society of London; better Christmas story than A Caroline Bryan of Rio Rancho, New Collections’ holdings with programs and the publication of My Dear Christmas Carol. Although Brend didn’t Mexico donated the Sherlockian scrap- from The Greek Interpreters, helping Holmes, by Gavin Brend. live to participate, the debate was duly book that belonged to the late to meet our goal of having copies of all held in his memory in 1959.3 Katherine McMahon. Ms. McMahon scion societies publications. Mr. Press My Dear Holmes was the most com- was one of the original few who suc- also donated the game Murder on the plete “biography” of Holmes to date, John Bergquist cessfully completed the legendary Orient Express, listed as “A Sherlock presenting the master detective’s career Sherlock Holmes Crossword which Holmes Mystery Game”. as a continuous narrative while placing 1. Baring-Gould’s 1948 chronology was pub- appeared in the May 19, 1934 cases and events as recorded by Dr. Watson into chronological order. lished in the Baker Street Journal (New Saturday Review of Literature. Allen J. Heiss of Salem, Wisconsin Series), Vol. 3, Nos. 3 and 4. In 1955 The puzzle was initially designed by donated his recently published A Because the good doctor had been so Baring-Gould published a revised and Christopher Morley’s brother Frank Sherlock Holmes Trilogy. This book fea- careless and inaccurate in his dating of greatly expanded chronology, The and was intended as a test for admit- tures three stories, “The Satyr of Holmes’s cases, Brend found that Chronological Holmes. This latter chronolo- establishing the order of events “was gy was summarized in Baring-Gould’s fan- tance into the Baker Street Irregulars. Stonehenge”, “The Curious Photo by Allen J. Heiss not so easy as it sounds.” In his ciful biography Sherlock Holmes of Baker Ms. McMahon and her fellow employ- Connoisseur”, and “The Illusion of Katherine McMahon's Queen Victoria Medal with Street (1962) and in The Annotated ees at Mrs. Cowlin’s Open Book Shop Glory”. the January 24, 1990 note from Thomas L. Stix, Jr., Preface, Brend states, “The pieces in Sherlock Holmes (1967). included in Ms. McMahon's notebook in Elgin, Illinois passed the test, but this elaborate jig-saw puzzle refused to due to their pre-existing membership Doug Wrigglesworth of Holland fit. Dates had to be altered. Reasons 2. For a comparison of these and later chronologies, see The Date Being—?, by in the female sex, were not made Landing, Ontario gave a brief update had to be found for altering the dates. New mysteries came to light demand- Andrew Jay Peck and Leslie S. Klinger, members of the B.S.I. In 1990, on the upcoming Bootmakers of Magico Magazine, New York, 1997. ing a solution. Before long I came to Thomas Stix, Jr. awarded the Queen Toronto’s “Footprints of the Hound” Photo by John Bergquist Victoria Medal to Ms. McMahon, and conference, scheduled for October 19 the conclusion that the only way to My Dear Holmes 3. For background information on Brend, the following year, she received her – October 21, and made a gift of the unravel the tangle was to write the author acknowledges W.T. Rabe’s S’ian Holmes’s life. Hence this book.” Brend Who’s Who and What’s What, Old Soldiers investiture as Lucy Ferrier. Included symposium’s handouts. The Collections owns copies of My of Baker Street, Ferndale, Michigan, 1962, in the notebook are both of these leavens his scholarship with a light touch, for example “Why is [Watson] Dear Holmes from the former libraries and Elaine Hamill’s article “THE CLAS- awards, as well as programs for the Les Klinger Of Malibu, California SICS REASSESSED 6. My Dear Holmes by blessed with a superfluity of Christian of John Bennett Shaw, Philip Hench, Brothers Three Moriarty, quizzes by donated the galleys, proof pages, and E.W. McDiarmid and Bill Rabe. The Gavin Brend,” The Sherlock Holmes Journal, names whilst in the Moriarty family Vol. 24, No. 2, Summer, 1999. Hamill John Bennett Shaw, and copies of manuscripts of his The Adventures of first edition, published by George Allen Caroline Bryan’s Shadow of the Elms Sherlock Holmes, A Study in Scarlet, and there is a shortage?” acknowledges the assistance of Richard & Unwin Ltd., features a scarlet dust Lancelyn Green, who had given her access Newsletter. There are numerous pho- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. jacket bearing the first-class carriage to his extensive collection. tographs of Ms. McMahon with Mr. Brend was the fourth ‘B’ to have undertaken a Holmesian “chronology,” illustration by Sidney Paget from Shaw, Mr. Stix and Caroline, as well as “Silver Blaze.” The book was reprinted letters. following H.W. Bell in 1932, T.S. Blakeney in 1932, and William S. in a paperback edition in 1994 by Otto 1 Penzler Books of New York. Shaw Photo by Allen J. Heiss Baring-Gould in 1948. For the most selected My Dear Holmes as one of the Timothy Johnson holding the recently published part, Brend hews close to the Canon, A Sherlock Holmes Triology by Allen J. Heiss

10 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 3 wrongfully accused client; the unlikely “The Resident Patient,” and its similar- Musings villain; the secret code; the false clue ity to the famous demonstration by and the impossible crime. Conan Dupin in “The Murders in the Rue It has been a busy summer for Holmes, a book described by Elaine Doyle understood Poe’s achievement Morgue.” In the view of S.S.T., Conan the Sherlock Holmes Collections Hamill as “a delightful read and an as few others did, and when he took Doyle fails in his duty to acknowledge as you will note in these pages. excellent entrée to the world of up his pen to write “A Study in Poe’s influence on this incident and IThe exhibit held in conjunction Sherlockian scholarship.” (The Sherlock Scarlet” in 1886, he saw a clear line many others. “Now,” he asks at one with the Norwegian Explorers’ confer- Holmes Journal, Summer 1999, p. 55) 100YEARS AGO between Poe’s innovations and his stage, “has Doyle acknowledged the ence “2001: A Sherlockian Odyssey” own ambitions. In my view, however, source of these imitations?” The attracted the conference attendees as Richard Sveum has noted the recent “A Study in Scarlet” and the subse- answer, he would have us believe, is a The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections IS “S.S.T.” THE LOVE-CHILD well as a number of other interested donations from Richard Lesh and the is a quarterly newsletter published by the quent Holmes adventures would resounding no. OF BIGFOOT? parties. Tim Johnson reports on the Maiwand Jezails. It is with pleasure Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections prove to be far less derivative than any exhibits’ many visitors, who certainly that the Sherlock Holmes Collections which seek to promote the activities, inter- of Conan Doyle’s work to that point. As every Sherlockian will recall, how- ests and needs of the Special Collections A Consideration By Daniel Stashower display “the charm of variety”. accepts materials such as these. John and Rare Books Department, University of Sherlock Holmes owed much to ever, Conan Doyle does, in fact, make (NOBL) Bennett Shaw was the keeper of many Minnesota Libraries. Dupin’s fascination with “the infinity an overt reference to Poe during the Elvis and Lindbergh Baby Spotted in scion materials, and it is with such Mail editorial correspondence c/o: of mental excitement,” but Poe’s sto- episode: “‘You remember,’ said Paris Cafe. Loveable Walrus Discovers We would like to welcome Daniel ongoing generosity that Shaw’s library Editor ries served as a catalyst, rather than a [Holmes], ‘that some little time ago Stashower, B.S.I. to these pages. He continues to grow. We hope that Julie McKuras AIDS Vaccine. Prince Edward to be when I read you the passage in one of 13512 Granada Ave. template. has written our 100 Years Ago article every scion society will make the same Apple Valley, MN 55124 Dipped in Cheese, Says Neighborhood Poe’s sketches, in which a close rea- Poodle. regarding an essay published in the effort. 952-431-1934 The question emerges, then, as to how soner follows the unspoken thoughts University of Virginia magazine. Dan 952-431-5965 Fax we determine the difference between a of his companion, you were inclined [email protected] The trouble with a provocative head- is well known to Sherlockians as the After reading the Acquisitions column catalyst and a template — or, as S.S.T. to treat the matter as a mere tour-de- line, no matter how arresting it may author of Teller of Tales, The Life of Sir in the June 2001 issue of this newslet- Editorial Board would have it, the difference between force of the author. . .’” Unforgivably, John Bergquist, Timothy Johnson, be, is that at some stage it will have to Arthur Conan Doyle and The Adventure ter, Saul Cohen of Santa Fe noted that literary inspiration and outright pla- S.S.T. withholds this reference until his Jon Lellenberg, Richard J. Sveum, M.D. be supported by cold, hard facts. of the Ectoplasmic Man. His Harry he had a question as to whether giarism. As I understand it, plagia- final page, when he has already con- Copyright © 2001 Apparently this lesson had not been Houdini mysteries The Dime Museum Christopher and Barbara Roden would University of Minnesota Library rism involves putting forth the ideas demned Conan Doyle as a plagiarist. fully grasped by the anonymous Murders and The Floating Lady Murder actually inscribe a book “with compli- The University of Minnesota is an Equal and words of another as one’s own. In At this late stage, the overt reference to Opportunity Educator and Employer. “S.S.T.” when he contributed his arti- combine his interests in detective fic- ments of the Arthur Conon Doyle the literary realm, this is rocky terrain. Poe is raised only to be dismissed as cle — “Is Doyle a Plagiarist?” — to a tion and magic. A third book in the Society”. No, they certainly wouldn’t. Words can be copyrighted, but, inadequate. S.S.T. concludes: “[W]e 1901 issue of The University of Virginia series, The Houdini Specter, will be Their inscription was from the “Arthur beyond a certain point, ideas cannot. must hold that it does not accord with Magazine. The writer, presumably a published in November. In choosing Conan Doyle Society”. I’m sure that I have written many books in which a the dictates of reason to suppose that student at the university, appears to be a subject for the 100 Years Ago col- Professor Moriarty interfered with murder takes place and a detective this casual reference was intended as rising to the defense of Edgar Allan umn, we found that the Sherlock both the typing and the proofreading brings the killer to justice. The notion an acknowledgement of Doyle’s great Poe, himself a former University of Holmes Collections did not have a of the original sentence. of a detective solving crimes did not debt to Poe. Hence our judgment — Virginia student. S.S.T. presents his copy of the University of Virginia originate with me, nor have I ever Doyle is a plagiarist.” readers with the assertion that Conan magazine; Curator Tim Johnson was Lastly, we would all like to thank been a detective myself. I am simply a Doyle has plagiarized the essential ele- able to obtain a copy of the article Bruce Southworth, B.S.I., for his writer who enjoys reading detective And hence my judgment — S.S.T. has ments of the character of Sherlock from the U. of VA library. The efforts during the time he was associ- fiction, which has led me on occasion his head stuck up his alimentary canal. Holmes from Poe’s fictional sleuth, C. Sherlock Holmes Collections contin- ated with the newsletter and the to draw ideas and situations from the Auguste Dupin. ues to work not only in obtaining new Editorial Board. Bruce was the first work of some of my favorite authors. It would be difficult to find a writer materials, but those previously printed editor of the newsletter, beginning in This is not a crime. If it were, Milton, who acknowledged his literary influ- The similarities between Holmes and as well. early 1997, and stepped down from Homer and Shakespeare would have ences more readily than Sir Arthur the Board of the Friends of the Dupin — and the plots of some of Conan Doyle, especially when it came much to answer for. As 2001 marks the 50th Anniversary Sherlock Holmes Collections in June. their adventures — have frequently to Edgar Allan Poe. “Poe is the master been noted, and it is not necessary to of the Sherlock Holmes Society of We wish him well. In reviewing the case of Poe and of all,” Conan Doyle once had occa- revisit those parallels here. It may be London, it seems appropriate that we Conan Doyle, S.S.T. arrives at a differ- sion to write. “If every man who said briefly that Poe’s reputation as the choose an item written by a former Julie McKuras, A.S.H., B.S.I. ent conclusion. He would have us receives a cheque for a story which father of modern detective fiction rests Chairman of that august group. John believe that Conan Doyle has not only owes its springs to Poe were to pay a on five short stories written between Bergquist has taken time from his new borrowed ideas from Poe, but that he tithe to a monument for the master, he the years of 1841 and 1844. In these duties as Vice President of the Friends has done so improperly and without would have a pyramid as big as that of stories, three of which feature Dupin, of the Sherlock Holmes Collection to attribution. He makes his case pri- Cheops.” Poe anticipated virtually every conven- examine Gavin Brend’s My Dear marily on the strength of the mind- tion of the classic detective story — reading episode which appears vari- Indeed, at the time that S.S.T. wrote the brooding, eccentric sleuth; the ously in “The Cardboard Box” and his article, Conan Doyle had not only comparatively dense sidekick; the Continued on page 8

2 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 11 G.K. Chesterton September 2001 D S O F N Volume 5 Number 3 E T Remembrances I H R In supporting the Sherlock Holmes Collections, many donors have made contributions either in honor or in memory E of special persons. F For any inquiries contact: IN MEMORY OF FROM Timothy J. Johnson, Curator Poul Anderson Laura Kuhn 612-624-3552 or Dennis France Hirayama Yuichi [email protected] Don Hardenbrook Hames Coffin Michael Harrison Samuel E. Fry Sherlock Holmes Collections Sherlock Holmes Cameron Hollyer Bruce Aikin Suite 111, Elmer L. Andersen Library COLLECTIONS Walter McAdam Otto Schultz University of Minnesota E.W. McDiarmid Fred and Sunnie Levin 222 21st Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55455 “Your merits should be publicly recognized” (STUD) E.W. McDiarmid Susan McNellis George Schuster Laura Kuhn Telephone: 612-624-7526 FAX: 612-626-9353 Wayne Swift Samuel E. Fry Timothy J. Johnson, Curator Contents The Basic Holmesian Library The Basic ome say that book collecting (I would say, library building) is a noble occu- Mailing list corrections requested— pation, a great game. To me, and I began collecting books at the age of Because of the high cost of returned newsletters, Homesian Library we would appreciate being informed of changes ten, and I started my Sherlock Holmes library in 1937, collecting is a way of address or other corrections. 1 "Sof life. It is a door which opens to education, pleasure and friendship. I have learned so much and I have made friends whom I treasure even more Library Receives than my books. And I hope I have made myself more humane, better educated, and Maiwand Jezails Artifacts other than a paucity of space and money, more happy than I thought it possible to be."

12 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 1