March 2005 D S O F N Volume 9 Number 1 E T I H

R E

F Sherlock Holmes COLLECTIONS

“Your merits should be publicly recognized” (STUD)

Contents Dale L. Walker’s Gift to the Sherlock Holmes Collections

Dale L. Walker’s Gift he March 16, 1969 El Paso Times headline reads “Irregulars Keep Memory of to the Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes Alive.” The article contains information about what John Bennett Shaw once described as the cult of Sherlock Holmes and was accompanied by a Collections T photograph of Shaw and Texan Dale L. Walker. The caption indicated that Shaw 1

100 Years Ago 2

50 Years Ago 3

Acquisitions 4

From the President 4

Musings 5

An Update from the Collections 7 Photo courtesy of Dale L. Walker

Dale L. Walker and John Bennett Shaw from the March 16, 1969 El Paso Times Remembrances 8 Continued on page 6

Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 1 appeared in The Strand Magazine in silhouette of the Tower of Big Ben and England and Collier’s in America, that the Houses of Parliament and three were later collected in The Return of illustrations dealing with the text of Sherlock Holmes. In Collier’s the title the story. On page three there was a was prefaced with the statement “The bonus for this issue: an advertisement Last Sherlock Holmes Story ever to be announcing that the Holmes stories written by A. Conan Doyle”, which would be succeeded by the “Raffles” 100 was Conan Doyle’s intention, but series written by E. W. Hornung, YEARS AGO without the finality of the Conan Doyle’s brother-in-law. The Reichenbach episode in “The Final advertisement has a drawing of “The Adventure of the Second Stain” Problem.” Holmes tipping his hat and a second appeared in the January 28, 1905 drawing of Raffles lighting a cigarette. issue of Collier’s: The National Weekly Steele (1873–1944) provided the This image of Holmes, not connected and was accompanied by several illustration for the magazine cover, to any of the stories, is rarely repro- illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele. one of eleven covers which he duced although it can be found in Bill (The story appeared first in England in provided for Collier’s in this series of Blackbeard’s Sherlock Holmes in the Strand Magazine, December 1904 stories. It shows Holmes holding the America. and made its American appearance the rug while intently examining the following month.) This was the last in bloodstain. Steele also drew the Even though Conan Doyle had a series of thirteen stories that title heading which incorporated a intended “The Second Stain” to be the last Holmes story, he was still to write fully one-third of the Canon. There would be a hiatus of 3 years before Holmes’s next appearance in “The Singular Experience of Mr. J. Scott Eccles,” later retitled as part 1 of “The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge,” also illustrated by Steele in Collier’s. This appearance in 1905 marked the mid point of Conan Doyle’s forty years of publishing the Sherlock Holmes stories from 1887 to 1927.

The Sherlock Holmes Collections at the Elmer L. Andersen Library has an extensive collection of Steele related items. In addition to a full run of this series of Collier’s magazines the Collection has a major archive of Steele’s letters, manuscripts, pho- tographs and drawings, much of which was donated by his children in 1986. Looking back 100 years to the 1905 printing of the Collier’s magazine, donated by Philip S. Hench M.D., we get the opportunity to consider the amazing resources and materials available through the Sherlock Holmes Collections.

Phillip Bergem

Collier’s January 28, 1905

2 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections writers – including Conan Doyle. In his and in pretty good spirits.” How we essay “The Simple Art of Murder,” would love to know what topics came up Chandler wrote, “Conan Doyle made mis- at that meeting, but unfortunately no takes which completely invalidated some known record exists. of his stories, but he was a pioneer, and *************** Sherlock Holmes after all is mostly an atti- Another letter from 1955 in the Starrett tude and a few dozen lines of unforgettable correspondence refers to the publication 50 dialogue.” Starrett certainly would have YEARS AGO of Starrett’s Best Loved Books of the taken exception to that cavalier dismissal. Twentieth Century. Ellen Kraft, Assistant However, despite their differences the two Promotion Director at Bantam Books in Among the treasured correspondence had much in common. Chandler had been in the Sherlock Holmes Collections are New York, wrote Starrett informing him many letters from the files of Vincent that a press release announcing his book Starrett, the Chicago bookman and had been mailed to 850 newspaper and columnist who published the first major radio book reviewers. The Collections US book of Sherlockiana: The Private Life has a copy of Best Loved Books, which of Sherlock Holmes (1933). A recent was published only in paperback. The search through the files uncovered letters book presents a selection of Starrett’s to Starrett from Dorothy Gardiner, under book review columns from the Sunday the letterhead of the Mystery Writers of Chicago Tribune, in which he gives his America (MWA) in New York, concern- impressions of 52 books published ing a visit to Chicago by Raymond between 1900 and 1955 that he consid- Chandler in 1955. ers to have enduring value. Not surpris- ingly, The Hound of the Baskervilles ranked In the first letter, dated March 8, 1955, high on the list at number three (only Gardiner writes that Chandler would be one book per author was included). stopping briefly in Chicago en route by train from California to New York, from In his foreword to his book Starrett lays whence he would sail to England. out his selection criteria, saying that the Chandler had written Gardiner, “can you first criterion was “the simple test of think of anyone in Chicago who might Best Loved Books survival…As of this writing [1955], all care to have a leisurely lunch with me the titles considered are still (or again) in print and obtainable in the book shops.” and help me pass these empty hours born in Chicago; although born in In the closing paragraph of the foreword [between trains]?” Gardiner had thought Toronto, Starrett relished Chicago as his he muses, “One wonders how many of of Starrett, and asked him whether he adopted hometown. Both men had strong the books discussed will survive when could meet Chandler. Evidently Starrett connections to the Mystery Writers of another half century has been ticked quickly agreed, because another letter America, and both were to win Edgar off…For myself, an optimist, I should from Gardiner to Starrett dated only six awards from the MWA: Chandler the Best think fully half the present muster. If any days later reads, “Bless you! Now I’m just Novel award in 1955 for The Long of us are around in A.D. 2000, let’s praying that Chandler really arrives – he Goodbye, and Starrett the Grand Master compare notes.” Well, Starrett the opti- needs to get away from tragedy desper- award in 1958. Both men also went on to mist grossly underestimated the staying ately [Chandler’s beloved wife of 30 serve as the organization’s president: power of his choices. A search of years, Cissy, had just died after having Chandler in 1959 and Starrett in 1961. On Amazon.com in 2005 shows that an been in poor health for some time] … the personal side, Starrett could empathize astounding 50 of the 52 titles are still in and this move of his looks most hopeful. with Chandler’s grief over his wife. Starrett print! Sherlockians can take comfort in You should be exactly the person for was as doting and devoted to his wife, noting that one of the two out-of-print him, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy being with Rachel (nicknamed Ray), who suffered titles is While Rome Burns, by Alexander him – if he arrives. Always that IF!” from severe mental illness, as Chandler Woollcott, an early member of the Baker had been to his dear Cissy. At first glance, Vincent Starrett and Street Irregulars who ruffled the feathers of other members by lampooning the Raymond Chandler may seem like strange A third letter from Gardiner to Starrett, group in a New Yorker article. Ironically, bedfellows: Starrett, the sentimental cham- dated April 12, 1955, verifies that Best Loved Books itself is no longer in pion of Sherlock Holmes, and Chandler, Chandler did arrive and that the meeting print, but copies can be found on abe- along with Dashiell Hammett a leading took place. Gardiner writes, “thank you books.com for as little as $3.50, a mere exponent of the Hard-Boiled school of for being so kind to Raymond Chandler… ten times the original cover price of 35¢. detective fiction, who brooked no He apparently had a beautiful time with nonsense from what he considered the you [and your wife]….He’s been in hos- John Bergquist, BSI contrived machinations of many mystery pital here, but seemed to be much better Friends of the Sherlock Holmes 3 Acquisitions

lliott Black continued with John Genova of New York City his donations to the Holmes presented a copy of The Hound of the The Norwegian Explorers added their Collections with the most Baskervilles to Richard Sveum. This Christmas Annual 2004 to the E recent addition of periodicals, edition was one of the fifteen classics in Collections. This is a variant edition articles, publications and ephemera. the New York Post’s Family Classics (only three of the editions with a pale Library series. Readers had a two-week green cover were printed) and is signed Mike Eckman, Secretary-Treasurer of opportunity to use the newspaper’s by all of the contributors to the booklet. The Norwegian Explorers, donated the coupon and purchase the book for $7. Winter 2005 edition of The Key Steve Rothman, BSI, donated The Reporter, the newsletter of Holiday Adventures of Achbar Phi Beta Kappa. Included by Barbara Sofer. Published in the section “From Our in 1983, the book details the Book Critics” is a review of adventures of Achbar the Les Klinger’s The New mouse as he helps Detective Annotated Sherlock Holmes. Schuster solve “The Rosh Reviewer Jay M. Pasachoff Hashanah Riddle,” “The writes “Reading the 1,500 Sukkot Search,” “Achbar’s pages of these two volumes Chanukah Party,” “Pre-Purim will put us in hopeful Problems,” “The Pesach anticipation of the eventual Puzzle,” “The Mysterious publication of the volume Oil Crisis,” and “The Sivan with the novels that is to Solution.” follow.” Photo by Julie McKuras John Genova and Richard J. Sveum

Collections for 2005. If you haven’t order to have your contributions From the President made your contribution yet, we hope transferred to the Holmes Collections. that you will send in your donation 005 is off to good start with soon so that the Holmes Collections I look forward to seeing many of our donations of materials to the can continue to grow. So far about half Friends in St. Louis in May for Under Sherlock Holmes Collections. of our members have responded to our the Arch II. Julie McKuras, who is 2 The Dale L. Walker correspon- December appeal with the average one of the featured speakers, will be dence with John Bennett Shaw is donation exceeding the ten-dollar displaying a number of items from especially rewarding. If you have any minimum. We have been contacted by the Collections. We hope to meet letters from John Bennett Shaw we a number of our Friends who sent in new Friends and see our membership would like you to consider donating donations directly to University increase. the actual letter or a photocopy to the Library or through the University of collection. We are trying to keep green Minnesota Friends of the Library, our Again, please be generous if you have the memory of the master and his former parent organization. I want to not sent in your 2005 membership ardent collector and our patron John give a special thank you to our editor donation. Your financial donations, Bennett Shaw. Julie McKuras who not only edits this materials or time are necessary in newsletter but also spends countless order for us to become The World I would like to thank everyone who volunteer hours with the Friends Center for the Study and Appreciation has renewed their membership in the membership database and working of Sherlock Holmes. Friends of the Sherlock Holmes with the Friends of the Library in Richard J. Sveum, MD, BSI

4 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Musings

e beg to differ with Dale the Friends of the Sherlock Holmes 2004 issue under the title heading of L. Walker’s description of Collections, and he has a particular 100 Years Ago, we featured the Parker his gift. Modest doesn’t interest in the genealogy of the Conan Brothers game SHERLOCK HOLMES. describe it when we Doyle family and the publication dates While reviewing John Bennett Shaw’s W and appearances of the Sherlock notebooks for the year 1982, I found consider the inscribed August Derleth books, Sherlockian Holmes stories. Many of our readers an advertisement from the May/June books and letters. It is through the had the chance to meet Phil when he 1982 issue of Collectibles Illustrated for efforts of people like Dale L. Walker spoke at the June 2004 conference in the game SHERLOCK HOLMES. We who sent John Bennett Shaw copies of Minneapolis. can only guess that it might have been clippings and articles from periodicals a friend of Shaw’s, someone like Dale that enabled Shaw’s collection to reach Tim Johnson and Dick Sveum have L. Walker, who took the time to clip a critical mass. Shaw’s notebooks of also contributed their quarterly reports and send the ad to Shaw. such clippings are one of the most on the Collections and the Friends utilized resources in the Sherlock organization. The generosity of our members is Holmes Collections. greatly appreciated, as Dick Sveum I’ve often joked that we should have noted in his column. Thank you for I’d like to welcome Phillip Bergem to named this newsletter “Look what your support and encouragement. our newsletter. Phil is a board member I found while I was looking for of the Norwegian Explorers as well as something else.” In the December Julie McKuras, ASH, BSI Collectibles Illustrated Photo from the May/June 1982 issue of Photo from

Advertisement for the SHERLOCK HOLMES game

Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 Dale L. Walker... Continued from Page 1

ly delightful man,” Walker says. Shaw Walker has been a freelance writer for would feature prominently in the forty-five years. In addition to the above Sherlockian newspaper articles that noted works, Walker is also author of Walker wrote. The Fiction of Jack London, published in 1972, and has edited three London Shaw kept a file folder of Walker’s anthologies — Curious Fragments: Jack correspondence to him. In it we see London’s Tales of Fantasy Fiction (1975), the evolution of the June 1970 Baker No Mentor But Myself: Jack London, The Street Journal article into the 1974 Jack Writer’s Writer (1979), and In a Far London, Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Country: Jack London’s Tales of the West Conan Doyle booklet published by (1987). He is the author of twenty The Private Press of Alvin S. Fick. books, and his 400 magazine articles, This edition, bound in dark gold heavy 700 book reviews, short stories and cardstock, was printed in a limited literary criticism (see http://www.jack- edition of 600 copies. In his acknowl- londons.net/writings/shortFiction/dale-

Photo courtesy of Dale L. Walker edgements Walker thanks, in addition walker-bio.html) have been published in Dale L. Walker to Dr. Julian Wolff,Judge S. Tupper 130 publications such as Ellery Queen’s Bigelow, and Professor H. W. Starr, Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock’s “conferred in El Paso last week with Dale “investitured BSI member, bookman, Mystery Magazine, The Bloomsbury Walker, named by Shaw as the most gentleman and long-time friend Review, American Cowboy and Newsweek. knowledgeable Holmes student in Texas.” John Bennett Shaw.” His specialties, he says, include That same knowledgeable Holmes stu- “Western American History, military his- dent has recently made a contribution to An expanded version of this booklet was tory, 19th and early 20th century the Sherlock Holmes Collections that published by Gaslight Publications in journalism and war correspondence.” highlights his own memories of the late 1981 under the title Jack London and He served as director of the Texas John Bennett Shaw. The large box Conan Doyle: A Literary Kinship (“Not a Western Press of the University of Texas received, which Walker described as “a biography, this monograph nonetheless at El Paso and as book editor for The El modest gift,” contained books, letters neatly summarizes Jack London’s life Paso Times. He is a four-time recipient and cards from John Bennett Shaw, and career, stressing his literary debt to, of the Spur Award from the Western photos, meeting announcements, and common interests with Sir Arthur Writers of America (WWA), an organiza- programs, catalogues, and articles: Conan Doyle.” [Scheetz, 30]. A review tion of 600 writers. He served as presi- nothing modest about this gift. of the book by J. Randolph Cox in Baker dent of the WWA from 1992-94, and in Street Miscellanea stated, “It is apparent 2000 he received the organization’s Dale L. Walker and John Bennett Shaw throughout that Walker knows his sub- Owen Wister Award for Lifetime began their epistolary friendship in ject as few others do.” (Cox, 38). Walker Achievement in Western Literature. 1965. Like many others, Dale sent noted in this edition’s acknowledge- letters to Shaw which included news- ments that “The opportunity to expand We are proud to count Dale L. Walker paper clippings and magazine articles. this work came about through a as a friend of the Sherlock Holmes (In his August 6, 1980 article “What suggestion made to Jack Tracy of Collections. His efforts in keeping the sleuth still lurks in readers’ hearts?” in Gaslight Publications by John Bennett memory of Sherlock Holmes alive will The El Paso Times, Walker noted, Shaw…” Shaw had copies of the also serve to remind those who knew, “John Shaw’s postman observes that booklet and the book which are now or knew of, John Bennett Shaw of what the two people in Santa Fe who receive part of The Sherlock Holmes a special friend he was to many. the most daily mail are Bill Mauldin, Collections. the editorial cartoonist, and Shaw. Julie McKuras, ASH, BSI ‘Wouldn’t you know it’ he says wryly. Walker’s gift wasn’t limited to the ‘They’re both on my route’.”) The two letters and articles. He also contributed References: eventually met at Shaw’s Santa Fe Cox, J. Randolph. “Jack London and Conan books and highlighted the inscribed Doyle: A Literary Kingship” review. Baker Street home, shortly after Walker’s article first editions of In Re: Sherlock Holmes Miscellanea, Summer 1981. 37 – 38. about Holmes, Jack London and (“For Dale L. Walker – Greetings from a Conan Doyle appeared in The Baker http://www.jacklondons.net/writings/shortFiction latter day Baker Street, Canonically /dalewalker-bio.html Street Journal in June of 1970. The August Derleth”), the Memoirs of Solar Shaws later visited the Walkers at their Pons, The Return of Solar Pons and The Scheetz, George H. “Jack London and Conan Doyle: A Review”. Wheelwrightings, September home in El Paso. Shaw was “among the Reminiscences of Solar Pons. best raconteurs I ever met, a thorough- 1981, 30-31.

6 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections An Update from the Collections

oday dawned cold and cloudy, resulted in the formation of the with a chance of snow—a Norwegian Explorers). The University typical winter’s day in Libraries and the Campus Club cor- T Minnesota. On a day like dially invited us to a “Baker Street today one might think of warmer Buffet,” featuring recipes from the climes and wish for the coming of world of Sherlock Holmes (taken from Spring. But I find myself thinking of Julia Rosenblatt and Fritz The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections is a quarterly newsletter published by the New York and the Birthday weekend. Sonnenschmidt’s delightful Dining with Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections I’ve now had at least a half dozen Sherlock Holmes). Held on the evening which seek to promote the activities, inter- opportunities to visit Manhattan of January 27th, and promising ests and needs of the Special Collections and Rare Books Department, University of during that very special celebration of an opportunity to enjoy great food and Minnesota Libraries. the Master’s birthday and each time I a chance to mingle with Libraries Mail editorial correspondence c/o: come back to the Twin Cities feeling as friends, donors and staff, the event— Editor if I’ve gained something new, some- which was sold out—began with a Julie McKuras thing special. In a crass sort of way I social hour. Attendees nibbled on 13512 Granada Ave. Apple Valley, MN 55124 could chalk this up as a productive appetizers of bacon chestnuts and liver 952-431-1934 business trip. In the course of the pate encroute while Sherlockian toasts 952-431-5965 Fax weekend I’ve made new contacts, were offered by Paul Nagel and our [email protected] renewed acquaintances, inched toward own “King of Scandinavia,” John Editorial Board the acquisition of new collections, Bergquist. Julie McKuras followed in John Bergquist, Timothy Johnson, possibly exhibited some pieces from the tradition of the annual Baker Street Jon Lellenberg, Richard J. Sveum, M.D. the Collections, probed new projects, Irregulars dinner and offered a toast or planted a seed for future develop- “To an Old Irregular, E. W. ‘Mac’ ment. But along the way, and maybe McDiarmid.” Various menus, teapots, Copyright © 2004 not surprisingly, these contacts have cups, and other food-related items University of Minnesota Library developed into friendships. Maybe that from the Collections were on display is some of the magic of the during the course of the evening. The University of Minnesota is an Equal Sherlockian world and the work of the Posters and our 1999 Holmesian video Opportunity Educator and Employer. Baker Street Irregulars. Maybe it is clip from “NewsNight Minnesota” were partly a function of my own poor on view as well. The entourage moved memory of names and faces, and the from hall and bar into the dining area, fact that it takes me three or four times where they enjoyed the Minneapolis before the name and face make a skyline and a dinner featuring honey- connection in my own being. In any cured duck, crabmeat cakes Stoke event, as I prepared to fly out East for Moran and other delectable items. this year’s gathering of the faithful, I Midway through the evening, diners found myself looking forward to seeing were entertained with a brief excerpt friends. Whether it was at Thursday’s from one of the Edith Meiser radio lecture, or Friday’sdinner, or Saturday’s scripts, admirably performed by Bob reception, or any point in between, it and Lucy Brusic of “The Red-Throated felt good to sit and talk and meet and League” with assistance from yours greet so many of you. It was a wonder- truly. Finally, as the evening moved ful time of deepening relationships. through a dessert course of bread Thank you for those personal moments pudding and peaches Cartwright, John and for your continued interest in and Bergquist read William Schweickert’s support of the Collections at the “A Long Evening with Holmes” and University of Minnesota. I concluded with Vincent Starrett’s “221B.” Campus Club members had Shortly after our return from the the opportunity to interact with delights of the East, we readied our- members of the Libraries’ community selves for what turned out to be a very and catch a glimpse of an active agreeable evening at the Campus Club Sherlockian world. Library Friends (site of a 1947 faculty lunch that experienced the gracious hospitality Continued on page 8

Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 7 An Update from the Collections... Continued from Page 7 and ambience of the Campus Club. It material from a specific collection. about EAD may be found at the was a winning evening for everyone. In this case, the finding aid is for the Library of Congress web site, One other glimpse of our active world Howard Haycraft papers and provides http://www.loc.gov/ead/. A number of can now be found on the Internet. If content description at the file folder other Sherlockian-related finding you point your browser to http://spe- level for fifteen boxes of material. The aids are in preparation and will be cial.lib.umn.edu/findaid/xml/scrb0002. Haycraft finding aid is part of a larger posted on our web site at http://spe- xml you will find the first of what we project of the Archives and Special cial.lib.umn.edu/rare/OtherCollections hope will be many finding aids to the Collections units of the University and from our Holmes Collections web manuscript material held by the Libraries, using the Encoded Archival site. We trust that these will be both Collections. A finding aid is to archives Description (EAD) standard for useful and welcome additions to the as a catalog card is to libraries, i.e., a describing these types of collections. world of Holmes and his admirers. description and listing of Both technical and general information Tim Johnson Remembrances In supporting the Sherlock Holmes Collections, many donors have made contributions either in honor or in memory of special persons. In Honor of From John Bergquist’s BSI Investiture Michael Kean Madison Claire Hamill Don Hobbs Fred Kittle, MD Larry Koppers, MD Dr. Ely Liebow Elliott M. Black Julie McKuras Phillip Bergem Julie McKuras Thomas Gottwalt Ben Perlman’s 75th birthday Edgar K. Simon Jr. Brian Pugh David Rush John Reyle and Family Peter Scalise Richard J. Sveum Phillip Bergem Richard J. Sveum Showsaku Mashimo Michael Whelan Robert S. Katz In Memory of From Ben Abramson Vincent Brosnan Elmer L. Andersen Phil Swiggum Susan J. Beasley Margie Autry Bob Brodie Warren Randall Steve Clarkson Robert C. Burr Steve Clarkson Paul G. Churchill Steve Clarkson Wanda and Jeff Dow Steve Clarkson Thomas Drucker Steve Clarkson Sandy Kozinn Steve Clarkson Karen Murdock For any inquiries contact: Steve Clarkson Randall Stock Timothy J. Johnson, Curator Steve Clarkson Lynn E. Walker Jim Cleary Warren Randall 612-624-3552 or Syd Goldberg Robert Hess [email protected] Richard Lancelyn Green Clifford Goldfarb Richard Lancelyn Green Robert Hess Sherlock Holmes Collections Richard Lancelyn Green Geoffrey L. Jeffery Suite 111, Elmer L. Andersen Library Richard Lancelyn Green Jerry Margolin University of Minnesota Richard Lancelyn Green Bill Mason 222 21st Ave. S. Richard Lancelyn Green Paul Singleton Minneapolis, MN 55455 Richard Lancelyn Green Richard Wein Richard Lancelyn Green Doug Wrigglesworth Telephone: 612-624-7526 Don Hardenbrook James A. Coffin FAX: 612-626-9353 John Henry Cardinal Newman Gerald Michael Schnabel Carole Oredson Stephen E. Spielberg Timothy J. Johnson, Curator Alvin E. Rodin Jack Key George Schenk Sr. Dr. George Schenk Jr. Dr. George M. Schuster, P.E. Carol Schuster Mailing list corrections requested— Charles Sherlock Samuel Fry Because of the high cost of returned newsletters, Eric Silk Clifford Goldfarb we would appreciate being informed of changes Dr. Richard M. Sturtz William R. Sturtz of address or other corrections.

8 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections