The Paton Collection Comes to Minnesota

Home , Murder by Decree, Sherlock Holmes Baffled

December 2000 D S O F N Volume 4 Number 4 E T Using the Sherlock Holmes Collections I H R E andy Stock of Mountain View, F California spent a week at the Sherlock Holmes Collections Rin October, doing research on the serial appearances of Sherlock Holmes. Working from the Gibson and Green bibliography, Randy’s Sherlock Holmes research focused on the initial publications of many of the Holmes stories. COLLECTIONS He hopes to produce several articles, and possibly a book, from his “Your merits should be publicly recognized” (STUD) research. Randy hopes to include the Sherlock Holmes Collections in any additional trips to the Minneapolis. Contents The Paton Collection Comes to Minnesota Often, people visit the Sherlock Photo by Julie McKuras Randy Stock, Reading Room at the Sherlock Holmes Collections The Paton Collection he Sherlock Holmes Holmes Collections to obtain a copy of Collections at the a desired article, or to find the answer Comes to Minnesota University of to a question. Others visit to view 1 Minnesota will soon Dorothy Rowe Shaw’s miniature of T wear another jewel in its 221B Baker Street. While on a break 100 Years Ago crown as the world’s largest from school, Adam Sveum, son of assemblage of material related Friends President Richard J. Sveum, 2 to Sherlock Holmes. Current took time to scrutinize and evaluate St. Louis resident Jennie C. the miniature representation of the 50 Years Ago Paton (pronounced Pay' ton), Great Detective’s home. 3 who has painstakingly built the most complete library of

Photo by Julie McKuras Photo by From the President Holmes on video ever assem- Adam Sveum with Dorothy Rowe Shaw's bled, is donating her library to Miniature of 221B Baker Street 4 the Collections. photo by Julie McKuras Videos from the Paton Collection Remembrances An Update from the "You aren’t getting all of the In supporting the Sherlock Holmes Collections, many donors have made contributions either in honor or in memory of Collections collection," Jennie says. "Among other special persons. collector," Jennie says. "This is a collection things, you are getting the foreign tapes, to be used." Although Jennie has suspend- 4 society meetings and duplicate commer- IN HONOR OF FROM ed the circulating library for now because cial tapes. The ‘circulating library,’ or of several recent moves, she hopes to "The Insoluble Puzzles" Karen Murdock Musings ‘study collection,’ will remain with me." Daniel Stashower's Edgar and Agatha Awards Cliff Goldfarb revive it once she is more settled. For any inquiries contact: 4 How much are we getting? "I have a Timothy J. Johnson, Curator whole wall lined with videotapes," Jennie "All along, I was building the collection to 612-624-3552 or Community Support says. Along with the videos comes a six- pass it on to somebody else," Jennie says. teen-page catalog "in tiny print with nar- [email protected] for the Collections Concluding that the University of row margins. Someone there will have to Minnesota was the logical choice to house Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 do a better job of indexing," she says. The the collection eventually, Jennie decided Suite 111, Elmer L. Andersen Library Collections also will be receiving Jennie’s to start turning it over now. Why now? University of Minnesota The Paton Collections collection of laser discs. "The picture qual- After having gone through three work- 222 21st Ave. S. ity on laser discs is so good I thought the Minneapolis, MN 55455 related moves in three years and expect- 7 Collections ought to have them." ing to move again soon — to an area with Telephone: 612-624-7526 an arid climate — Jennie says, "It’s not a FAX: 612-626-9353 Using the Sherlock Circulating library? In a private collection? good idea — especially given the transito- Holmes Collections Timothy J. Johnson, Curator Unusual among collectors, Jennie has will- ry nature of magnetic mediums — for the 8 ingly lent out her videos, going so far as to collection to have constant changes in advertise their availability through flyers temperature and humidity. It would be Mailing list corrections requested— mailed out to Sherlockian publications Because of the high cost of returned newsletters, Remembrances better stored in a better location." The we would appreciate being informed of changes and societies. "I’m a librarian, not a temperature- and humidity-controlled of address or other corrections. 8 Continued on page 6 8 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 1 W.K.L. Dickson and formed the is also the first appearance of a detec- The Paton Collection American Mutoscope Company. tive on screen. Undoubtedly the film- Dickson had developed 35mm film makers realized that audiences would ach of the seven boxes Cartoons are represented by Alvin and stock while an assistant to Thomas recognize the name and character of received to date from Jennie the Chipmunks, Beetlejuice, James Bond Edison, but became unhappy with his Sherlock Holmes. Silent era detective Paton contains an inventory of Jr., Peter Pan and the Pirates, Winnie situation with Edison and left his films "labored under the difficulty of Ethe contents. These invento- the Pooh, and the Berenstain Bears. employ. By 1897, their American not being able to conduct prolonged ries list the appearances of Sherlock Television shows aimed at a young audi- 100YEARS AGO Mutoscope Company was the most interrogations or oral deductions…the Holmes from his initial appearance in ence include Wishbone, Gilligan’s Island, popular film company in the U.S. stress was on mystery or physical the 1900 Sherlock Holmes Baffled to the Batman, The Adventures of Shirley action rather than on liter- The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections most recent January, 2000 broadcast of Holmes, and The Muppets. Commercials is a quarterly newsletter published by the Sherlock Holmes Baffled was made ary-derived sleuthings." in 1900, and marked the pre- The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes, with Sherlock Holmes promote cheese, Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections (Everson 4) But to leave the fictionalized account of Dr. Joseph Chevron and Burger King which seek to promote the activities, inter- mier of the Master Detective in Sherlock Holmes baffled? ests and needs of the Special Collections Bell’s demonstration of his deductive and Rare Books Department, University of the new entertainment medium As Steinbrunner and of the motion picture.1 Although abilities with his student, a young References to Holmes are represented Minnesota Libraries. Michaels noted, "The film Arthur Conan Doyle. by copies of programs such as Life Mail editorial correspondence c/o: the film lasts less than one did nothing much to exploit minute, the impact of Holmes on Goes On, Entertainment This Week, Editor and develop the image of And what lies between in that period Divorce Court, Star Trek, To Tell the Julie McKuras the screen is still felt 100 years the great detective – then 13512 Granada Ave. of 100 years are many versions of Tr uth, Saturday Night Live, Doogie Apple Valley, MN 55124 later. Jennie Paton has donated a still at the height of his first copy of this film to the Sherlock Holmes in movies, television and com- Howser M.D., CBS News, Murder She 952-431-1934 literary popularity – but it mercial appearances, in English and in Wrote, Alfred Hitchcock, The Avengers, 952-431-5965 Fax Holmes Collections. [email protected] did introduce Sherlock foreign languages. An overview of Fame, Remember WENN, Nash Bridges Holmes to the screen." (8) The late 1800s and early 1900s these inventories provide a glimpse and Good Morning America. Editorial Board into what John Bergquist described as John Bergquist, Timothy Johnson, saw worldwide changes in cul- Jon Lellenberg, Bruce Southworth,

Sherlock Holmes on the Screen Julie McKuras tural and industrial conditions. "the most complete library of Holmes Jennie also collected the Granada Dr. Richard Sveum Leisure time increased, with a on video". Television series with Jeremy Brett and Copyright © 2000 consequent "vast proliferation of Douglas Wilmer on BBC, and foreign University of Minnesota Library Photo from Photo from Holmes films include those in the Basil language Holmes, such as programs The University of Minnesota is an Equal visual forms of popular culture." Sherlock Holmes Baffled Opportunity Educator and Employer. (Thompson 3) In 1895, the first Rathbone series, and those in which from Russian, French, German and Holmes is portrayed by Stewart Japanese television. Seminars and moving pictures debuted in Paris. 1 In late April, 1900, shooting in "the Some confusion has existed regarding the dat- Produced by the Lumiere Brothers on ing of this first Holmes film, and it is often Granger, Christopher Plummer, Arthur events such as Autumn in Baker Street, New York rooftop studio of the a combination camera and projection referred to as being produced in 1903, which is Wontner, Peter Cook, Ian Richardson, The Bimetallic Colloquium and the CIA American Mutoscope and Biograph undoubtedly due to the fact that it was regis- device of their own invention, the ini- Christopher Lee, Roger Moore, Tom Dinners are included as are numerous Company" (Steinbrunner 8), camera- tered that year. Sherlock Holmes Baffled was reg- tial screenings showed short-action istered by the American Mutoscope and Baker, Peter Cushing, Charlton recordings of the meetings of the man Arthur Marvin filmed Sherlock films of about one minute duration. Biograph Company on Feb. 24, 1903, and car- Heston, Patrick MacNee and Edward Hansom Wheels of Columbia SC. Holmes Baffled. In it, a dressing- ries the registration number of H28561. The business of cinema quickly Woodward. Also included are those gowned Holmes, "modeled on According to Elias Savada in The American Film became very popular, and one reel Institute Catalog, the prefix H indicates it was not strictly Canonical, such as Without It would appear that since Jennie Gillette’s portrayal" (Pointer 31) films were soon the rage. Travelogues registered during the period from January, 1, a Clue, The Adventure of Sherlock Paton began to chronicle Holmes on encounters a burglar attempting to 1901 through June 30, 1909. The numbers took people to exotic locations while Holmes Smarter Brother and The Return video, many must be able to say, "I carry off Holmes’ silver. When indicate the sequential copyright registration of others showed news events, often films in that period. of the World’s Greatest Detective. see Sherlock everywhere." Holmes tries to capture him, the thief recreating actual events. From the vanishes, as does the bag of silver. The beginning, fiction films were also Julie McKuras thief reappears, only to leave through important. These single shot films REFERENCES: the window, which was done by using Everson, William K. The Detective in Film. showed action unfolding in front of stop-motion photography, first made Secaucus NJ: Citadel Press, 1972. the camera during one continuous Pohle, Robert W. and Douglas C. Hart. popular by French director and per- take. They were silent and without Sherlock Holmes on the Screen. Cranberry, NJ: former Georges Melies in 1896. In A. S. Barnes and Co, Inc., 1977. Acquisitions captions, which increased their appeal the end, Holmes fails to capture the Pointer, Michael. The Public Life of not only to foreign markets but often Sherlock Holmes. London and Vancouver: villain and is left baffled. The film to audiences where a majority of view- David and Charles, 1975. rthur M. Axelrad’s Hot on the Alexander’s book was published under recently purchased the Basil of Baker was released in May of the same year. Savada, Elias. The American Film Institute Scent, A Visitor’s Guide to the the name of Arthur M. Alexander. Street archive of manuscripts, drawings ers were illiterate. Catalog, Film Beginnings, 1893-1910. History did not record the name of Metuchen NJ and London: Scarecrow Press, London of Sherlock Holmes has and proofs. We plan on featuring this the actors or the director. Cinematic advances were occurring in 1995. recently been donated. Mr. The Sherlock Holmes Collections has new acquisition in an upcoming issue. Steinbrunner, Chris and Norman Michaels. A England and the United States as well. There is nothing cinematically innova- The Films of Sherlock Holmes. New York: In America, Herman Casler, who Citadel Press, 1991. tive about the film. The significance is patented the flip-card device known as Thompson, Kristin and David Bordwell. Film that it not only marks the initial History. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1994. the Mutoscope in 1894, joined with appearance of Holmes on screen, but

2 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 7 script "inside an envelope contained in Continued from Page 1 and moved to New York in 1930. The Paton Collection Comes to Minnesota During his career with the Associated an old chest full of family papers." (65) Press, he "directed coverage of such Honce, along with other Baker Street Elmer L. Andersen Library fits the bill replies, "I’m the black hole. I suck in Click...whirr...click... "OK, I need to use famous stories as the St. Valentine’s Day Irregulars, were anxious to have the perfectly. anything within my reach." But, asked two hands for this next step." (Pause.) Massacre in Chicago, the Lindbergh story printed. In 1948, it was published whether as of now she is finished Click... "There." Not one to waste a baby kidnapping and the Morro Castle in the August issue of Cosmopolitan. It Although the material will reside at the acquiring new material, she says, "I spare minute, Jennie was editing a ship disaster." He retired in 1953. was later determined that the story had University of Minnesota, Jennie retains told Peter upon pain of death that he videotape even as I interviewed her been submitted to Conan Doyle by the rights to access it. "On the off- is not to send me any more tapes." YEARS AGO over the phone for this article. "You 50 The Baker Street Journal Volume 1, retired architect Arthur Whitaker. chance that I have a disaster with one (the Collections) will be getting the Number 1 (Original Series) 1946 had an of my tapes, I could get the master Jennie laments that many classic films master off-air copy," she assured me. inaugural column "My First Meeting Charles Honce had heard rumors in tape to make a new study copy for have been lost forever in their original With Sherlock Holmes" by Charles early 1950 that The Strand Magazine myself," she says. "Otherwise there form because of the volatile nature of From her modest start with one VHS Honce. In that article which he subtitled was about to give up the ghost and would be a hole in the study collec- film stock. And, tape has proven to be machine, Jennie has gone on to "Why I am Not a Sherlock Holmes cabled the London Office of the tion, and if there’s one thing I really a poor medium for archival storage. acquire more than $10,000 worth of Collector" he explained the power of the Associated Press for a comprehensive hate, it’s holes in the collection." What about the long-range future of video equipment. "I sort of went off press; "Since 1934, when I wrote a news story. The news story by Alvin the collection? Jennie hopes that the deep end," Jennie admits. She has story about the first meeting of the Baker Steinkopt went out over the AP wire on Jennie began her collection only in recordable DVD "comes into mar- a professional editing machine that can Street Irregulars (to which I was not Feb. 25, 1950. Honce reprinted the 1984. She bought a $279 Panasonic ketable existence. Eventually, magnetic seamlessly put together a series of invited) I have turned out a score or two story in the chapter titled "Heresy on top-loading VHS machine at Wal-Mart tape loses its hold on the image, so I clips. A prize possession is a multi- of articles on the Old Gentleman, mostly the Sherlock Holmes Front" in his and embarked on what was to become would like to be able to start transfer- standard player-recorder that allows news stories, which reached an audience Christmas book, To Talk of Many Things. a consuming passion. She recognized ring everything onto DVD," she says. her to read or write videos in any for- of many millions of readers." Honce was The essay was also published in The that the VCR presented a great oppor- Tim Johnson, curator of the mat, such as NTSC, PAL or SECAM. told the story of the first BSI dinner, held Illustrious Client’s Third Case-Book edited tunity "to preserve [material related to Collections, agrees. Tim points out This allows her to exchange tapes with in 1934, from his friend and fellow by J. N. Williamson and H. B. Williams. Sherlock Holmes] that would other- that recordable DVD technology is other collectors all over the world. She newspaperman Vincent Starrett. (In wise be lost: ephemeral things such as available but not yet commercially fea- also uses only broadcast- or master 1941, Honce became Starrett’s first bibli- The last issue of The Strand was indeed commercials, cartoons, news clips and sible. One reason for the delay is that broadcast-grade tape, which is much ographer, publishing A Vincent Starrett March 1950. On page 98 and 99 was references to Holmes" in otherwise three incompatible systems are vying more dependable and durable than Library as his Christmas book .) In two page spread called Holmesiana. non-Holmesian contexts. She patiently for acceptance, reminiscent of the consumer-grade tape. "You don’t find Profiles by Gaslight, Edgar Smith noted in The Editor stated it was "For the happy assembled these brief clips onto two- BETA-VHS war when VCRs were first notebook John Bennett Shaw's Photo from this stuff at Sam’s Club," Jennie says. his introduction to Honce’s "Sherlock thousands to whom Baker Street’s first hour videos. "It just sort of snow- introduced. It remains to be seen Charles Honce – JB Holmes in the News" that "we are claim to fame is that it housed Sherlock balled," Jennie says. "It married very which (if any) of the three competing indebted to Mr. Charles Honce, of the Holmes, here are some plans and a nicely with my work as a media librar- systems will emerge as a standard. In 1950, the latest of Charles Honce’s Despite having accumulated all these Associated Press, for his realism in treat- map, based on data in the stories, pre- ian." Even if we arrive at a standard, will fine press Christmas books was pub- tapes, "Don’t think that I spend my free ing Holmes’s newsworthiness in the sen- pared by an enthusiast." The Strand DVD prove to be a stable archival lished by the Golden Eagle Press in time sitting and watching Sherlock sible and literate manner in which it Magazine (1891-1950) had Arthur Discovering noted Sherlockian collec- medium? "We’re always going to be Mount Vernon. The 58-page To Talk of Holmes," says Jennie. "In fact, I hardly should be treated." Honce’s annual Conan Doyle contributing faithfully tor Peter E. Blau through a mention in one step behind in trying to preserve Many Things was limited to 88 copies. ever watch Sherlock Holmes." The last Sherlock Holmes birthday stories attract- from 1891 and Sherlock Holmes, the The Baker Street Journal, Jennie started electronic mediums," Jennie says. It was designed and printed by S. A. time that she went through her entire ed Smith’s attention, resulting in an invi- best known character who ever lived in a correspondence with him that grew "Until it actually goes through 25, 50 Jacobs, who attended the 1950 BSI collection was when Julia Rosenblatt tation to his first BSI dinner in 1941. He the Strand, to the very end. into a mutual tape-exchange arrange- or 100 years, there’s no telling how Dinner with Honce. The Sherlock asked her to produce a tape for the received his investiture of "The Empty ment. Peter sent her tapes of the well it’s going to hold up." Holmes Collections has John Bennett 1995 Sherlock Holmes banquet at the House" at the 1944 Trilogy Dinner at the Richard J. Sveum, M.D. Polish Sherlock Holmes programs and Shaw’s copy of this book, whose cover Culinary Institute of America in New Murray Hill Hotel. Charles and his wife other obscurities. She made copies for John Bergquist page indicates it is "A Book Lovers York ("the other CIA," Jennie slyly Emmanuella Honce were also known for him of rare items that he didn’t have. Opinion on a Lot of Other Subjects points out). The assignment was to put hosting the Baker Street Hoodlums at She also corresponded with the late Including Eating, Drinking, Traveling, together a tape concerning Holmes and their Beekman Place apartment after the John Bennett Shaw and sent him tapes Decorating, Entertaining, and Dressing food. While recovering from surgery, BSI Dinners.He served on the Board of during his final illness. (Those tapes and Undressing." Jennie spent a month and a half comb- Advisers for the early Baker Street Journal are now in the Collections.) Through ing through her tapes for any segment and was awarded the Two-Shilling Award her growing contacts in the Charles E. Honce (1896-1975) was a related to eating. "Most of it was in fast in 1970. Photo by Julie McKuras Sherlockian world, Jennie obtained forward," Jennie adds with a chuckle. newspaperman who rose to become an Charles Honce's Note to John Bennett Shaw tapes of scion society meetings and assistant general manager of the Through tight editing, she was eventu- Charles Honce was part of a campaign other rarities. When asked whether, Associated Press. According to his obitu- REFERENCES: ally able to trim the four hours’ worth by several Baker Street Irregulars to get Lellenberg, Jon. Irregular Records of the like Shaw and Blau, Jennie has ary, printed in the August 30, 1975 New of material to a 22-minute video pre- "The Man Who Was Wanted" published. Early ‘Forties. New York: Fordham University approached her collection with the York Times, he began his newspaper Press, 1991. sentation. A crowd-pleaser was the seg- Jon Lellenberg’s Nova 57 Minor relates Lellenberg, Jon. Irregular Memories of the attitude of a "completist," Jennie career in Keokuk, Iowa, joined the ment from Murder by Decree of James the story of Conan Doyle’s biographer ‘Thirties. New York: Fordham University Associated Press in Chicago in 1919, Press, 1990. Mason’s Watson protesting to Holmes, Hesketh Pearson, who found the manu- Lellenberg, Jon. Nova 57 Minor. Bloomington, "You squashed my pea." IN: Gaslight Publications, 1990. – JB 6 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 3 From the President Community Support for the Collections

ark your calendars for the Library Capital Campaign Advisory preserved and built on?" n the March, 1999 issue of this newsletter, which serves their 13,000 well as contributions from companies next membership meeting Committee. The University of The Sherlock Holmes Collections has newsletter, we wrote of the com- employees. As they discussed this, it like Ecolab, are crucial. These extra of the Friends of the Minnesota Library has joined announced the plan to raise funds for munity support from Ecolab, Inc, became apparent that only one thing funds enable the library to expand the MSherlock Holmes Campaign Minnesota to raise 15 mil- the Errett W. McDiarmid Endowed Iwhose headquarters are located in would truly prove the unique character Sherlock Holmes Collections and Collections which will be held on June lion dollars in private support, and has Curator of the Sherlock Holmes St. Paul, MN. This article featured Mike of the Collections which Ecolab gener- explore other cooperative ventures." 29, 2001. We will meet in conjunction targeted three critical areas: building Collections. I hope that every member McKuras, Vice-President of Information ously supports; a personal tour. Phone Tim was pleased to have the opportunity with the Norwegian Explorers confer- the Digital Library, innovation in new of the Friends will contribute to the Services for Ecolab and a board member calls were made, calendars were to show Ecolab’s representative how ence, "2001 – A New Sherlockian services and programs, and expansion Endowment. Every month we move of the Friends of the Sherlock Holmes checked, and soon Mike and Cheryl company donations are utilized, and Odyssey: A Journey Among the Shaw of the collections. In facing this chal- closer to our goal of being the World Collections. Mike had been awarded a were standing in the new Elmer L. stated how happy he was that the 100", to be held June 29 to July 1. A lenge, I believe we face a defining Center for the study of Sherlock grant from Ecolab’s Community Andersen Library with Special Collections are recognized as a unique conference flyer is enclosed along with moment for the entire Library and for Holmes and related subjects, and for Leadership Program for his volunteer Collections and Rare Books Curator community asset. this newsletter. I hope to see many of Special Collections and Rare Books. In this, I thank you for your continued work with the non-profit Friends Board. Timothy Johnson. Tim gave Mike and you in Minneapolis next summer. the words of Elmer L. Andersen, "What support. Ecolab’s program recognizes and rewards Cheryl a tour of the library, starting with Cheryl noted that she enjoyed the tour nobler purpose can there be for a employee involvement with groups that the Sherlock Holmes Collections, which of the Sherlock Holmes Collections so I am currently serving as the National University than to gather up the prizes Richard J. Sveum, M.D. focus on youth and education, civic and gave them the opportunity to view much that she was inspired "to go back Chair for the University of Minnesota of a culture—preserve them, propagate [email protected] community development, arts and cul- books, periodicals, movie posters, Edith and re-read the Sherlock Holmes stories them, make them available—so that ture, and environment and conservation. Meiser radio scripts, and the four copies that I studied" while in school. And her the best of what has gone before can be of Beeton’s Christmas Annual. meeting with Tim Johnson? Cheryl now In November, 2000, a member of feels that "he would be a great lifeline for Musings Ecolab’s Community Relations After having the opportunity to see the anyone on ‘Who Wants to be a Department, Cheryl Budewitz, contacted Collections, Cheryl wrote that it was Millionaire’." Especially if the subject f a picture is worth a thousand Sherlockian Charles Honce focuses on that Ronald De Waal’s The Universal Mike. She noted that his involvement gratifying to see that "the University of were Sherlock Holmes. words, how could we evaluate the one of his Christmas books, which Sherlock Holmes identifies that author with the Sherlock Holmes Collections Minnesota. sees the importance of pre- video collection of Jennie Paton seems appropriate for this time of year. as Arthur Mee. Our thanks to Peter for was certainly "unique" and would prove serving cultural collections…(Mike’s) Julie McKuras Ithat has started arriving at the It is our pleasure to highlight one of his clarification. an interesting subject for their company volunteer work and contributions, as Sherlock Holmes Collections? With the many people who contributed so the donation of her video and audio much to Sherlockian scholarship. In In the September 2000 issue, our collection, Jennie has ensured that the the President’s Column, Update on the Editorial Box was incorrect, as Jon Collections continue to be in the fore- Collections, Acquisitions, and Utilizing Lellenberg’s name was inadvertently front of all things Sherlockian. John the Collections, we hope to give our omitted. With this issue, we correct Bergquist has given us a glimpse into readers an idea of plans and events at that omission and update the Editorial Jennie’s collecting mania. the Elmer L. Andersen Library. Board further with the addition of John Bergquist. John has written sev- Staying on the theme of video, our In the September issue of this newslet- eral articles this year, and is a great 100 Years Ago Column features the ter, we featured a 100 Year Old essay help in planning and producing this first Sherlock Holmes film. The film entitled "The Making of Sherlock newsletter. His participation is greatly marked the debut of the Master Holmes" by A.M. We neglected to appreciated. Detective’s screen appearances. indicate the identity of A. M. however. Our 50 Years Ago feature on the great In a recent note, Peter E. Blau indicated Julie McKuras, ASH

An Update From the Collections

s we say goodbye to the first way past DeWaal entry 2100 in our hold- with other monies, has brought the year of the new millennium (or ings and generally pick up (and drop off) McDiarmid Fund to a level of over greet the beginning of the new cataloging work a couple of times a week. $45,000. Our minimum target for the Amillennium) – depending on An updated six-month report will be for- Fund is $250,000 with the hope of rais- photo by Mike McKuras your understanding of the calendar – warded to the family after the first of the ing one million dollars for an endowed Cheryl Budewitz and Tim Johnson in the Reading Room of the Sherlock Holmes Collections there are two items I’d like to report to year. Second, we have received another curatorship. Individuals still contemplat- our readers. First, the Hubbs Family cat- gift towards the E. W. McDiarmid ing a year-end contribution are invited to aloging project is now running near full Curatorship. Mary McDiarmid, a daugh- contact the Special Collections depart- speed. The catalogers have worked their ter of "Mac", pledged $10,000 to the ment or the Friends of the Library. library. This generous contribution, along Tim Johnson 4 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 From the President Community Support for the Collections ark your calendars for the Library Capital Campaign Advisory preserved and built on?" n the March, 1999 issue of this newsletter, which serves their 13,000 well as contributions from companies next membership meeting Committee. The University of The Sherlock Holmes Collections has newsletter, we wrote of the com- employees. As they discussed this, it like Ecolab, are crucial. These extra of the Friends of the Minnesota Library has joined announced the plan to raise funds for munity support from Ecolab, Inc, became apparent that only one thing funds enable the library to expand the MSherlock Holmes Campaign Minnesota to raise 15 mil- the Errett W. McDiarmid Endowed Iwhose headquarters are located in would truly prove the unique character Sherlock Holmes Collections and Collections which will be held on June lion dollars in private support, and has Curator of the Sherlock Holmes St. Paul, MN. This article featured Mike of the Collections which Ecolab gener- explore other cooperative ventures." 29, 2001. We will meet in conjunction targeted three critical areas: building Collections. I hope that every member McKuras, Vice-President of Information ously supports; a personal tour. Phone Tim was pleased to have the opportunity with the Norwegian Explorers confer- the Digital Library, innovation in new of the Friends will contribute to the Services for Ecolab and a board member calls were made, calendars were to show Ecolab’s representative how ence, "2001 – A New Sherlockian services and programs, and expansion Endowment. Every month we move of the Friends of the Sherlock Holmes checked, and soon Mike and Cheryl company donations are utilized, and Odyssey: A Journey Among the Shaw of the collections. In facing this chal- closer to our goal of being the World Collections. Mike had been awarded a were standing in the new Elmer L. stated how happy he was that the 100", to be held June 29 to July 1. A lenge, I believe we face a defining Center for the study of Sherlock grant from Ecolab’s Community Andersen Library with Special Collections are recognized as a unique conference flyer is enclosed along with moment for the entire Library and for Holmes and related subjects, and for Leadership Program for his volunteer Collections and Rare Books Curator community asset. this newsletter. I hope to see many of Special Collections and Rare Books. In this, I thank you for your continued work with the non-profit Friends Board. Timothy Johnson. Tim gave Mike and you in Minneapolis next summer. the words of Elmer L. Andersen, "What support. Ecolab’s program recognizes and rewards Cheryl a tour of the library, starting with Cheryl noted that she enjoyed the tour nobler purpose can there be for a employee involvement with groups that the Sherlock Holmes Collections, which of the Sherlock Holmes Collections so I am currently serving as the National University than to gather up the prizes Richard J. Sveum, M.D. focus on youth and education, civic and gave them the opportunity to view much that she was inspired "to go back Chair for the University of Minnesota of a culture—preserve them, propagate [email protected] community development, arts and cul- books, periodicals, movie posters, Edith and re-read the Sherlock Holmes stories them, make them available—so that ture, and environment and conservation. Meiser radio scripts, and the four copies that I studied" while in school. And her the best of what has gone before can be of Beeton’s Christmas Annual. meeting with Tim Johnson? Cheryl now In November, 2000, a member of feels that "he would be a great lifeline for Musings Ecolab’s Community Relations After having the opportunity to see the anyone on ‘Who Wants to be a Department, Cheryl Budewitz, contacted Collections, Cheryl wrote that it was Millionaire’." Especially if the subject f a picture is worth a thousand Sherlockian Charles Honce focuses on that Ronald De Waal’s The Universal Mike. She noted that his involvement gratifying to see that "the University of were Sherlock Holmes. words, how could we evaluate the one of his Christmas books, which Sherlock Holmes identifies that author with the Sherlock Holmes Collections Minnesota. sees the importance of pre- video collection of Jennie Paton seems appropriate for this time of year. as Arthur Mee. Our thanks to Peter for was certainly "unique" and would prove serving cultural collections…(Mike’s) Julie McKuras Ithat has started arriving at the It is our pleasure to highlight one of his clarification. an interesting subject for their company volunteer work and contributions, as Sherlock Holmes Collections? With the many people who contributed so the donation of her video and audio much to Sherlockian scholarship. In In the September 2000 issue, our collection, Jennie has ensured that the the President’s Column, Update on the Editorial Box was incorrect, as Jon Collections continue to be in the fore- Collections, Acquisitions, and Utilizing Lellenberg’s name was inadvertently front of all things Sherlockian. John the Collections, we hope to give our omitted. With this issue, we correct Bergquist has given us a glimpse into readers an idea of plans and events at that omission and update the Editorial Jennie’s collecting mania. the Elmer L. Andersen Library. Board further with the addition of John Bergquist. John has written sev- Staying on the theme of video, our In the September issue of this newslet- eral articles this year, and is a great 100 Years Ago Column features the ter, we featured a 100 Year Old essay help in planning and producing this first Sherlock Holmes film. The film entitled "The Making of Sherlock newsletter. His participation is greatly marked the debut of the Master Holmes" by A.M. We neglected to appreciated. Detective’s screen appearances. indicate the identity of A. M. however. Our 50 Years Ago feature on the great In a recent note, Peter E. Blau indicated Julie McKuras, ASH

An Update From the Collections s we say goodbye to the first way past DeWaal entry 2100 in our hold- with other monies, has brought the year of the new millennium (or ings and generally pick up (and drop off) McDiarmid Fund to a level of over greet the beginning of the new cataloging work a couple of times a week. $45,000. Our minimum target for the Amillennium) – depending on An updated six-month report will be for- Fund is $250,000 with the hope of rais- photo by Mike McKuras your understanding of the calendar – warded to the family after the first of the ing one million dollars for an endowed Cheryl Budewitz and Tim Johnson in the Reading Room of the Sherlock Holmes Collections there are two items I’d like to report to year. Second, we have received another curatorship. Individuals still contemplat- our readers. First, the Hubbs Family cat- gift towards the E. W. McDiarmid ing a year-end contribution are invited to aloging project is now running near full Curatorship. Mary McDiarmid, a daugh- contact the Special Collections depart- speed. The catalogers have worked their ter of "Mac", pledged $10,000 to the ment or the Friends of the Library. library. This generous contribution, along Tim Johnson 4 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 script "inside an envelope contained in Continued from Page 1 and moved to New York in 1930. The Paton Collection Comes to Minnesota During his career with the Associated an old chest full of family papers." (65) Press, he "directed coverage of such Honce, along with other Baker Street Elmer L. Andersen Library fits the bill replies, "I’m the black hole. I suck in Click...whirr...click... "OK, I need to use famous stories as the St. Valentine’s Day Irregulars, were anxious to have the perfectly. anything within my reach." But, asked two hands for this next step." (Pause.) Massacre in Chicago, the Lindbergh story printed. In 1948, it was published whether as of now she is finished Click... "There." Not one to waste a baby kidnapping and the Morro Castle in the August issue of Cosmopolitan. It Although the material will reside at the acquiring new material, she says, "I spare minute, Jennie was editing a ship disaster." He retired in 1953. was later determined that the story had University of Minnesota, Jennie retains told Peter upon pain of death that he videotape even as I interviewed her been submitted to Conan Doyle by the rights to access it. "On the off- is not to send me any more tapes." YEARS AGO over the phone for this article. "You 50 The Baker Street Journal Volume 1, retired architect Arthur Whitaker. chance that I have a disaster with one (the Collections) will be getting the Number 1 (Original Series) 1946 had an of my tapes, I could get the master Jennie laments that many classic films master off-air copy," she assured me. inaugural column "My First Meeting Charles Honce had heard rumors in tape to make a new study copy for have been lost forever in their original With Sherlock Holmes" by Charles early 1950 that The Strand Magazine myself," she says. "Otherwise there form because of the volatile nature of From her modest start with one VHS Honce. In that article which he subtitled was about to give up the ghost and would be a hole in the study collec- film stock. And, tape has proven to be machine, Jennie has gone on to "Why I am Not a Sherlock Holmes cabled the London Office of the tion, and if there’s one thing I really a poor medium for archival storage. acquire more than $10,000 worth of Collector" he explained the power of the Associated Press for a comprehensive hate, it’s holes in the collection." What about the long-range future of video equipment. "I sort of went off press; "Since 1934, when I wrote a news story. The news story by Alvin the collection? Jennie hopes that the deep end," Jennie admits. She has story about the first meeting of the Baker Steinkopt went out over the AP wire on Jennie began her collection only in recordable DVD "comes into mar- a professional editing machine that can Street Irregulars (to which I was not Feb. 25, 1950. Honce reprinted the 1984. She bought a $279 Panasonic ketable existence. Eventually, magnetic seamlessly put together a series of invited) I have turned out a score or two story in the chapter titled "Heresy on top-loading VHS machine at Wal-Mart tape loses its hold on the image, so I clips. A prize possession is a multi- of articles on the Old Gentleman, mostly the Sherlock Holmes Front" in his and embarked on what was to become would like to be able to start transfer- standard player-recorder that allows news stories, which reached an audience Christmas book, To Talk of Many Things. a consuming passion. She recognized ring everything onto DVD," she says. her to read or write videos in any for- of many millions of readers." Honce was The essay was also published in The that the VCR presented a great oppor- Tim Johnson, curator of the mat, such as NTSC, PAL or SECAM. told the story of the first BSI dinner, held Illustrious Client’s Third Case-Book edited tunity "to preserve [material related to Collections, agrees. Tim points out This allows her to exchange tapes with in 1934, from his friend and fellow by J. N. Williamson and H. B. Williams. Sherlock Holmes] that would other- that recordable DVD technology is other collectors all over the world. She newspaperman Vincent Starrett. (In wise be lost: ephemeral things such as available but not yet commercially fea- also uses only broadcast- or master 1941, Honce became Starrett’s first bibli- The last issue of The Strand was indeed commercials, cartoons, news clips and sible. One reason for the delay is that broadcast-grade tape, which is much ographer, publishing A Vincent Starrett March 1950. On page 98 and 99 was references to Holmes" in otherwise three incompatible systems are vying more dependable and durable than Library as his Christmas book .) In two page spread called Holmesiana. non-Holmesian contexts. She patiently for acceptance, reminiscent of the consumer-grade tape. "You don’t find Profiles by Gaslight, Edgar Smith noted in The Editor stated it was "For the happy assembled these brief clips onto two- BETA-VHS war when VCRs were first John Bennett Shaw's notebook Photo from this stuff at Sam’s Club," Jennie says. his introduction to Honce’s "Sherlock thousands to whom Baker Street’s first hour videos. "It just sort of snow- introduced. It remains to be seen Charles Honce – JB Holmes in the News" that "we are claim to fame is that it housed Sherlock balled," Jennie says. "It married very which (if any) of the three competing indebted to Mr. Charles Honce, of the Holmes, here are some plans and a nicely with my work as a media librar- systems will emerge as a standard. In 1950, the latest of Charles Honce’s Despite having accumulated all these Associated Press, for his realism in treat- map, based on data in the stories, pre- ian." Even if we arrive at a standard, will fine press Christmas books was pub- tapes, "Don’t think that I spend my free ing Holmes’s newsworthiness in the sen- pared by an enthusiast." The Strand DVD prove to be a stable archival lished by the Golden Eagle Press in time sitting and watching Sherlock sible and literate manner in which it Magazine (1891-1950) had Arthur Discovering noted Sherlockian collec- medium? "We’re always going to be Mount Vernon. The 58-page To Talk of Holmes," says Jennie. "In fact, I hardly should be treated." Honce’s annual Conan Doyle contributing faithfully tor Peter E. Blau through a mention in one step behind in trying to preserve Many Things was limited to 88 copies. ever watch Sherlock Holmes." The last Sherlock Holmes birthday stories attract- from 1891 and Sherlock Holmes, the The Baker Street Journal, Jennie started electronic mediums," Jennie says. It was designed and printed by S. A. time that she went through her entire ed Smith’s attention, resulting in an invi- best known character who ever lived in a correspondence with him that grew "Until it actually goes through 25, 50 Jacobs, who attended the 1950 BSI collection was when Julia Rosenblatt tation to his first BSI dinner in 1941. He the Strand, to the very end. into a mutual tape-exchange arrange- or 100 years, there’s no telling how Dinner with Honce. The Sherlock asked her to produce a tape for the received his investiture of "The Empty ment. Peter sent her tapes of the well it’s going to hold up." Holmes Collections has John Bennett 1995 Sherlock Holmes banquet at the House" at the 1944 Trilogy Dinner at the Richard J. Sveum, M.D. Polish Sherlock Holmes programs and Shaw’s copy of this book, whose cover Culinary Institute of America in New Murray Hill Hotel. Charles and his wife other obscurities. She made copies for John Bergquist page indicates it is "A Book Lovers York ("the other CIA," Jennie slyly Emmanuella Honce were also known for him of rare items that he didn’t have. Opinion on a Lot of Other Subjects points out). The assignment was to put hosting the Baker Street Hoodlums at She also corresponded with the late Including Eating, Drinking, Traveling, together a tape concerning Holmes and their Beekman Place apartment after the John Bennett Shaw and sent him tapes Decorating, Entertaining, and Dressing food. While recovering from surgery, BSI Dinners.He served on the Board of during his final illness. (Those tapes and Undressing." Jennie spent a month and a half comb- Advisers for the early Baker Street Journal are now in the Collections.) Through ing through her tapes for any segment and was awarded the Two-Shilling Award her growing contacts in the Charles E. Honce (1896-1975) was a related to eating. "Most of it was in fast in 1970. Photo by Julie McKuras Sherlockian world, Jennie obtained forward," Jennie adds with a chuckle. newspaperman who rose to become an Charles Honce's Note to John Bennett Shaw tapes of scion society meetings and assistant general manager of the Through tight editing, she was eventu- Charles Honce was part of a campaign other rarities. When asked whether, Associated Press. According to his obitu- REFERENCES: ally able to trim the four hours’ worth by several Baker Street Irregulars to get Lellenberg, Jon. Irregular Records of the like Shaw and Blau, Jennie has ary, printed in the August 30, 1975 New of material to a 22-minute video pre- "The Man Who Was Wanted" published. Early ‘Forties. New York: Fordham University approached her collection with the York Times, he began his newspaper Press, 1991. sentation. A crowd-pleaser was the seg- Jon Lellenberg’s Nova 57 Minor relates Lellenberg, Jon. Irregular Memories of the attitude of a "completist," Jennie career in Keokuk, Iowa, joined the ment from Murder by Decree of James the story of Conan Doyle’s biographer ‘Thirties. New York: Fordham University Associated Press in Chicago in 1919, Press, 1990. Mason’s Watson protesting to Holmes, Hesketh Pearson, who found the manu- Lellenberg, Jon. Nova 57 Minor. Bloomington, "You squashed my pea." IN: Gaslight Publications, 1990. – JB 6 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 3 W.K.L. Dickson and formed the is also the first appearance of a detec- The Paton Collection American Mutoscope Company. tive on screen. Undoubtedly the film- Dickson had developed 35mm film makers realized that audiences would ach of the seven boxes Cartoons are represented by Alvin and stock while an assistant to Thomas recognize the name and character of received to date from Jennie the Chipmunks, Beetlejuice, James Bond Edison, but became unhappy with his Sherlock Holmes. Silent era detective Paton contains an inventory of Jr., Peter Pan and the Pirates, Winnie situation with Edison and left his films "labored under the difficulty of Ethe contents. These invento- the Pooh, and the Berenstain Bears. employ. By 1897, their American not being able to conduct prolonged ries list the appearances of Sherlock Television shows aimed at a young audi- 100YEARS AGO Mutoscope Company was the most interrogations or oral deductions…the Holmes from his initial appearance in ence include Wishbone, Gilligan’s Island, popular film company in the U.S. stress was on mystery or physical the 1900 Sherlock Holmes Baffled to the Batman, The Adventures of Shirley action rather than on liter- The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections most recent January, 2000 broadcast of Holmes, and The Muppets. Commercials is a quarterly newsletter published by the Sherlock Holmes Baffled was made ary-derived sleuthings." in 1900, and marked the pre- The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes, with Sherlock Holmes promote cheese, Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections (Everson 4) But to leave the fictionalized account of Dr. Joseph Chevron and Burger King which seek to promote the activities, inter- mier of the Master Detective in Sherlock Holmes baffled? ests and needs of the Special Collections Bell’s demonstration of his deductive and Rare Books Department, University of the new entertainment medium As Steinbrunner and of the motion picture.1 Although abilities with his student, a young References to Holmes are represented Minnesota Libraries. Michaels noted, "The film Arthur Conan Doyle. by copies of programs such as Life Mail editorial correspondence c/o: the film lasts less than one did nothing much to exploit minute, the impact of Holmes on Goes On, Entertainment This Week, Editor and develop the image of And what lies between in that period Divorce Court, Star Trek, To Tell the Julie McKuras the screen is still felt 100 years the great detective – then 13512 Granada Ave. of 100 years are many versions of Tr uth, Saturday Night Live, Doogie Apple Valley, MN 55124 later. Jennie Paton has donated a still at the height of his first copy of this film to the Sherlock Holmes in movies, television and com- Howser M.D., CBS News, Murder She 952-431-1934 literary popularity – but it mercial appearances, in English and in Wrote, Alfred Hitchcock, The Avengers, 952-431-5965 Fax Holmes Collections. [email protected] did introduce Sherlock foreign languages. An overview of Fame, Remember WENN, Nash Bridges Holmes to the screen." (8) The late 1800s and early 1900s these inventories provide a glimpse and Good Morning America. Editorial Board into what John Bergquist described as John Bergquist, Timothy Johnson, saw worldwide changes in cul- Jon Lellenberg, Bruce Southworth,

2 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 7 December 2000 D S O F N Volume 4 Number 4 E T Using the Sherlock Holmes Collections I H R E

andy Stock of Mountain View, F California spent a week at the Sherlock Holmes Collections Rin October, doing research on the serial appearances of Sherlock Holmes. Working from the Gibson and Green bibliography, Randy’s Sherlock Holmes research focused on the initial publications of many of the Holmes stories. COLLECTIONS He hopes to produce several articles, and possibly a book, from his “Your merits should be publicly recognized” (STUD) research. Randy hopes to include the Sherlock Holmes Collections in any additional trips to the Minneapolis. Contents The Paton Collection Comes to Minnesota Often, people visit the Sherlock Photo by Julie McKuras Randy Stock, Reading Room at the Sherlock Holmes Collections The Paton Collection he Sherlock Holmes Holmes Collections to obtain a copy of Collections at the a desired article, or to find the answer Comes to Minnesota University of to a question. Others visit to view 1 Minnesota will soon Dorothy Rowe Shaw’s miniature of T wear another jewel in its 221B Baker Street. While on a break 100 Years Ago crown as the world’s largest from school, Adam Sveum, son of assemblage of material related Friends President Richard J. Sveum, 2 to Sherlock Holmes. Current took time to scrutinize and evaluate St. Louis resident Jennie C. the miniature representation of the 50 Years Ago Paton (pronounced Pay' ton), Great Detective’s home. 3 who has painstakingly built the most complete library of

Photo by Julie McKuras From the President Holmes on video ever assem- Adam Sveum with Dorothy Rowe Shaw's bled, is donating her library to Miniature of 221B Baker Street 4 the Collections. photo by Julie McKuras Videos from the Paton Collection Remembrances An Update from the "You aren’t getting all of the In supporting the Sherlock Holmes Collections, many donors have made contributions either in honor or in memory of Collections collection," Jennie says. "Among other special persons. collector," Jennie says. "This is a collection things, you are getting the foreign tapes, to be used." Although Jennie has suspend- 4 society meetings and duplicate commer- IN HONOR OF FROM ed the circulating library for now because cial tapes. The ‘circulating library,’ or of several recent moves, she hopes to "The Insoluble Puzzles" Karen Murdock Musings ‘study collection,’ will remain with me." Daniel Stashower's Edgar and Agatha Awards Cliff Goldfarb revive it once she is more settled. For any inquiries contact: 4 How much are we getting? "I have a Timothy J. Johnson, Curator whole wall lined with videotapes," Jennie "All along, I was building the collection to 612-624-3552 or Community Support says. Along with the videos comes a six- pass it on to somebody else," Jennie says. teen-page catalog "in tiny print with nar- [email protected] for the Collections Concluding that the University of row margins. Someone there will have to Minnesota was the logical choice to house Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 do a better job of indexing," she says. The the collection eventually, Jennie decided Suite 111, Elmer L. Andersen Library Collections also will be receiving Jennie’s to start turning it over now. Why now? University of Minnesota The Paton Collections collection of laser discs. "The picture qual- After having gone through three work- 222 21st Ave. S. ity on laser discs is so good I thought the Minneapolis, MN 55455 related moves in three years and expect- 7 Collections ought to have them." ing to move again soon — to an area with Telephone: 612-624-7526 an arid climate — Jennie says, "It’s not a FAX: 612-626-9353 Using the Sherlock Circulating library? In a private collection? good idea — especially given the transito- Holmes Collections Timothy J. Johnson, Curator Unusual among collectors, Jennie has will- ry nature of magnetic mediums — for the 8 ingly lent out her videos, going so far as to collection to have constant changes in advertise their availability through flyers temperature and humidity. It would be Mailing list corrections requested— mailed out to Sherlockian publications Because of the high cost of returned newsletters, Remembrances better stored in a better location." The we would appreciate being informed of changes and societies. "I’m a librarian, not a temperature- and humidity-controlled of address or other corrections. 8 Continued on page 6 8 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 1