June 2005 D S O F N Volume 9 Number 2 E T I H

R E

F Sherlock Holmes COLLECTIONS

“Your merits should be publicly recognized” (STUD)

Contents Holmes Under the Arch II by Joseph Eckrich, BSI Holmes Under the Arch II t. Louis has the Gateway Arch. The University of Minnesota in Minneapolis has the Elmer L. Andersen Library with the world’s largest public Sherlockian 1 collection. For a brief moment during the weekend of May 20-22, 2005, the S two came together at “Holmes Under the Arch II” at the Holiday Inn Southwest 100 Years Ago – Viking Conference Center in St. Louis.

2 We began planning the conference well over a year before the event, and one of the first things our conference committee agreed on was that we would like to have a display of 50 Years Ago material from the Sherlock Holmes Collections. I made a request to Julie McKuras and asked if she would pass it on to Curator Tim Johnson. Happily, both Julie and Tim 3 seemed excited about the idea and Tim gave it his approval. I was particularly interested in including materials related to St. Louis such as items from the collection of the city’s Acquisitions own Dr. John Crotty. Crotty donated correspondence Vincent Starrett and Frederic Dorr 4 Steele wrote to fellow St. Louis resident Gray Chandler Briggs. Briggs met Conan Doyle during a trip to London and mapped out where he believed 221B Baker Street was located. I also asked Julie to be a speaker and to discuss both the Collections and the display. From the President 4

Musings 5

Using the Collections 5

Leslie Klinger 5

An Update From the Collections 7 Photo by Julie McKuras Remembrances Bill Mason, Joe Eckrich and Roy Pilot 8 Continued on page 6

Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 1 was actually what Conan Doyle and Miss Jean Leckie together. Both called him in his autobiography, Connie and Willie, while initially Memories and Adventures, “a kind of understanding, turned critical of inversion of Sherlock Holmes, Bunny Conan Doyle’s conduct, and he resent- playing Watson,” or that Hornung ed it. But while relations may never imitated the Sherlock Holmes stories have been as warm again, neither was in creating Raffles. But if Hornung did there ever a breach. For one thing, 100 not, “this form of flattery” was a pecu- their only child, Oscar Hornung, was YEARS AGO liar choice of words for a public dedi- Conan Doyle’s favorite nephew, and cation, given its unmistakable refer- when he was killed in World War I in E. W. Hornung’s durable character ence to imitation. Letters or diary 1915, at barely the age of twenty, A. J. Raffles is, for those interested in entries by Hornung need to be cited Conan Doyle took it very hard indeed. Sherlock Holmes, an interesting if to support Green’s interpretation of It was one of the losses that propelled somewhat familiar case of parallels. Hornung’s auctorial intentions, and him towards spiritualism, though When Hornung published the first none are. Hornung would never have anything series of stories in Cassell’s Magazine in to do with that. Later, when searching 1898, he had been married for five Green also contends that “Conan for a name for a new boy of his own, years to Arthur Conan Doyle’s sister Doyle seemed at times to be jealous of Conan Doyle told his mother: “I am Connie, a beautiful woman with a his brother-in-law’s success and never quite indifferent about this dear boy’s commanding personality like her acknowledged his own debt or paid name, save that I think Oscar’s is mother. The two men got along well. him the compliment of a dedication.” sacred. When people years hence talk Hornung, a versatile writer of novels In my own researches I have not of Oscar there should be no doubt as set in both England and Australia, noticed this jealousy, and I am not to whom they mean.” When Hornung was, like Conan Doyle, sociable, given sure what debt Conan Doyle would himself died in 1921 in St. Jean-de- to active outdoor pursuits and sports, have owed Hornung. Green alludes to Luz, France, Conan Doyle traveled and passionate about cricket. (Raffles a Raffles story plot or two which there to attend the funeral. was one of England’s leading amateurs, Conan Doyle may have adapted for which is why he was invited to the Sherlock Holmes later, but it seems Where debts about Holmes and Raffles great country houses he proceeded to clear that, whatever Conan Doyle got are concerned, we are entitled to won- burgle, with the aid of his old school from Raffles, Hornung got consider- der whether Raffles would have been chum “Bunny” Manders.) ably more from Sherlock Holmes. such a success if the Holmes stories Neither man seemed to begrudge the had never been written. Would Willie Hornung’s books did well, but in other anything they derived from each Hornung have even conceived of Raffles he scored a real success – in other’s work, and while Conan Doyle Raffles without the example of Cassell’s, and Collier’s Weekly in didn’t dedicate a book to Hornung, Sherlock Holmes? Conan Doyle did America, then collected as The Amateur this is not to say that he never pro- have two admitted reservations about Cracksman in 1899; and then in a sec- moted his brother-in-law’s reputation. Hornung’s success with Raffles. He ond series collected in 1901 as The He did. For example, in an April 6, came to feel, and said so in Memories Black Mask (in America, as Raffles); and 1893, letter to his mother, Conan and Adventures after Hornung was then on stage and, beginning as early as Doyle wrote: gone, that it was dangerous to make a 1905, in movies. Hornung had fore- criminal the hero. And he also felt, in shadowed the character in another I saw Willie yesterday. He read another parallel with himself, that story, and he gave Conan Doyle credit me a bit of his new story, which Hornung’s most popular character had for suggesting that a public-school vil- I like very well. I have to return eclipsed his better work. lain would make a good series character thanks for literature at the (a subject on which Conan Doyle was Annual Booksellers dinner on Hornung may have thought so himself an authority by that time). The parallels the 15th and intend to mention at one point. In stories, between Raffles and Bunny and Holmes Willie in my speech which will he did what Conan Doyle had done in and Watson were so obvious that not rather surprise him, only unfor- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes – sent only did the British and American crit- tunately he won’t be there. It’s his demanding protagonist to his ics remark upon them, but Hornung my debut as a speaker in death. In the final story, “The Knees of himself gave London. the Gods,” Raffles, having been found the telling dedication of “To A.C.D., this out, and pretending to be dead, goes form of flattery.” Relations between the two men defi- to South Africa to fight in the Boer nitely cooled one day in 1900 when at War. (As part of the South African In his introduction to the 2003 Lord’s Cricket Ground in London the Field Force, in which Conan Doyle Penguin Classics edition of the book, Hornungs came across Conan Doyle had served in the Langman Hospital.) Richard Lancelyn Green denies that Continued on page 8 2 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Doyle sparked his interest in the canon discard things even though they have no and later led to his involvement in the conceivable use. Although not complete, Sherlockian world. the records revealed that Krogman was indeed a Copper Beech and that he Anthropologists such as Krogman seek addressed the Autumn, 1956 meeting of evidence and artifacts about “the science the society. His topic was not mentioned of human beings; especially : the study of in the meeting minutes, but the timing of human beings in relation to distribution, the appearance of his article in The 50 origin, classification, and relationship of Scientific Monthly and its temporal juxta- YEARS AGO races, physical character, environmental position to his speech to the Copper and social relations, and culture” as Beeches has convinced me that – with the A recent search for an article by a long defined by the Merriam-Webster acquisition of the article by Krogman – departed Sherlockian, Wilton M. Dictionary. Krogman wrote in the I have located what was likely the topic Krogman, led me to rediscover the life of a opening paragraph of his article “Sherlock and basis of his speech, if not the actual fascinating man, his professional work and Holmes as an Anthropologist” that text of his remarks. Based on that conclu- accomplishments, and his Sherlockian Holmes’ “knowledge was extensive, and sion, I have placed a copy of the article interests. In a fascinating twist, I ended up in many instances intensive. Among the along with the meeting minutes in our finding him, quite literally, in my own fields in which he showed considerable archives. It’s a small contribution to the archeological subterranean “field site” knowledge was anthropology. Primarily, archives, but it is valuable to know more with the assistance of the Sherlock Holmes his interests were concerned with what we about the members, their interests and Collections at the University of Minnesota. today classify as physical anthropology the meeting topics of our group in its (Ed. Note: Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary early years. While investigating canonical natural defines physical anthropology as ‘anthro- history for a prospective visit to pology concerned with the comparative We do not talk much about anthropology Philadelphia’s Wagner Free Institute of study of human evolution, variation, in a Sherlockian sense, but perhaps we Science by our local scion society, and classification especially through should. In the ninety-odd year history Mycroft’s League, I came across an article measurement and observation.’) but he of our pastime, many Sherlockians have of interest. It was listed in the on-line knew archeology and ethnography as engaged in the game. Although we find Universal Sherlock Holmes that is hosted well.” Krogman goes on to note Holmes’ their scholarship preserved in journals on the web by the University of deductions of height, the use of hands as a and books, exactly who these scholars Minnesota. The article, entitled “Sherlock “reference to occupational stigmata,” his were is often forgotten and they are Holmes as an Anthropologist,” promised limited encounters with skeletal remains, unfamiliar to us with the exception of a interesting information for our event. It deductions as to race and racial traits, few of the more prominent Sherlockians. was published in a now defunct journal, body build and behavior including Rediscovering our Sherlockian predeces- The Scientific Monthly, in March, 1955— phrenology, heredity, nonhuman primates, sors takes research—Sherlockian “anthro- not readily available to me. I emailed the and bodily manifestations of age. The pology and archaeology”—but it helps us source where I felt I was sure to find the few references to archeology are “only to realize not only how much we have in article—the largest subterranean collec- incidental” to the stories, but ethnography common with them, but also how the tion of Sherlockiana in the world—the figured “quite prominently in many Sherlockian lexicon consists of the Sherlock Holmes Collections at the cases.” As Krogman summarized in precepts that they laid down as they University of Minnesota. Julie McKuras 1955, “Today, with our modern tech- enjoyed the canon as we do. responded with regret that the article was niques, our specialized knowledge, and not in the collection. A few days later, our interdisciplinary integration, it is all My experience in requesting an article however, she emailed me with the news too easy to sit in the seat of the scornful from the Sherlock Holmes Collections that she had located the article in the and say that Holmes’ knowledge and use highlights the value of the major University’s Wilson Library, the humani- of anthropology was – to use his own Sherlockian and Doylean collections and ties and social sciences library. She had term – ‘elementary’ … let us accept his of the curators and volunteers who make already copied the article for me and use of anatomy (including ‘physical them accessible to us as we play the game. would place a second copy in the stacks anthropology’) as at a pretty high level … In particular, these collections help us to of the Sherlock Holmes collections. I for one am willing to recognize in recall forgotten Sherlockian colleagues Sherlock Holmes a most worthy colleague from whom we are separated only in The article arrived a few days later and in anthropology – the science of man and time. Upon rediscovery, we see these it revealed a number of interesting coinci- his behavior!” colleagues held interests very similar to dences. Krogman was an eminent profes- ours. My experience also demonstrated sor of anthropology and the author of a Any male Philadelphia Sherlockian of that as large as they are, the collections number of textbooks still used today in Krogman’s era was likely to have been a are by no means complete. However, as revised editions. He taught locally at the member of Philadelphia’s oldest a result of experiences such as this, the University of Pennsylvania from 1947 Sherlockian society, The Sons of the Copper collections grow and become of ever until his retirement in 1983. His interest Beeches. As the current “Headmastiff” of greater utility to those of us who engage in Sherlock Holmes dated to the 1930’s the Copper Beeches, I have the records of in the fascinating pastime of the study of when he studied the Piltdown man. He the scion society in my home. Fittingly, the literature of Sherlock Holmes. recorded in his personal journals at the they are in a subterranean location—my time that he felt the entire Piltdown find basement—and to my embarrassment, Now, about that basement… was a hoax, presaging most experts in his they are indeed buried—under a thick field by some sixteen years. The links layer of the assorted items one finds in the Gideon Hill, BSI between Piltdown and Sir Arthur Conan basement of a person who is unable to Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 3 Acquisitions

ideon Hill donated a copy of of the book that was published in January Charles Press donated an inscribed Silver Blaze; A Miscellany. This 2000 by The Battered Silicon Dispatch Box edition of his Looking Over Sir Arthur’s booklet was prepared for the are now part of the Holmes Collections. Shoulder: How Conan Doyle Turned the Trick G 2nd Quadragennial Running Mike Kean did the introduction to the which was published in 2004 by The of the Philadelphia Silver Blaze, which play, which was never performed. Battered Silicon Dispatch Box. was sponsored by Mycroft’s League. The event was held on May 7, 2005 at Hugo Koch donated a copy of Vincent The Sherlock Holmes Collections have also Delaware Park. Starrett’s Dead Man Inside which was pub- received the most current issues of a num- lished in 1931. This first edition bears the ber of publications from societies such as Jens Byskov Jensen, editor of The Baker inscription “Dear Briggs – Here’s another of the latest Prescott’s Press, The Serpentine Street Picayune, the journal of Le Circle de the darned things – with warmest greet- Muse, The Whaling News, and The Spectator. Sherlock Holmes of New Orleans, for- ings. Vincent Starrett 21 Oct. 1931.” warded Volume 1, Numbers 1 and 2 to Inside the book are several handwritten the Sherlock Holmes Collections. corrections of typographical errors in Mr. Starrett’s hand. As Mr. Koch noted in his Roger Johnson contributed the latest issue accompanying letter, “These two of The District Messenger, the newsletter of Holmesian giants are so special that this the Sherlock Holmes Society of London. volume – inexpensive in price but very unique in associated value – should join its Michael H. Kean took the opportunity to brother (The End of Mr. Garment, which I tour The Sherlock Holmes Collections as sent along a few years ago) in the perma- well as donate some unique materials nent collection.” while in Minneapolis this spring. The play “Mrs. Hudson? ... Mrs. Hudson!!”, a “con- John Lockwood continues to forward ceptual narrative treatment of an original newspaper clippings associated with musical” by James Moss Cardwell, the Sherlock Holmes to the Collections. These original artwork for the cover design by J.

clippings are from non-current newspa- Photo by Julie McKuras P. Cagnat, and the final corrected proofs pers and in some instances are quite old. Michael Kean, John Bergquist and Tim Johnson From the President ark your calendars for Collections in Boston at The Speckled Band Street Irregulars, and local author Larry September 29, 2005 for the Dinner. I also attended “Holmes Under the Millett. We welcome the positive media cov- next Annual Membership Arch II” in St. Louis. While there I met our erage, and we hope to gain new local Friends. M Meeting for the Friends of the friends from the Occupants of the Empty Sherlock Holmes Collections in the Givens House, a scion society that has always been The Board of the Sherlock Holmes Suites of the Elmer L. Andersen Library. generous with donations of money and Collection met on May 9, 2005. We heard This year we will focus on using the collec- material. The Friends were able to recruit from Kathy McGill, the new Development tions, and we will have an exhibit of new new members with a display, an exhibit Director for the University of Minnesota acquisitions. Our guest speaker will be with catalog and an address by our newslet- Libraries. We discussed ways to raise more Randall Stock, whose articles have been ter editor, board secretary and President of funds for the E.W. McDiarmid Curator published in The Baker Street Journal, The the Norwegian Explorers, Julie McKuras. Endowment. You can expect to hear more Hounds’ Collection and in the September Board members Michael and Julie McKuras about from us about donations. We are 2004 issue of this newsletter. His website, also won the pastiche contest. always looking for new members for the “The Best of Sherlock Holmes,” can be Sigerson Society, our special designation for found at http://members.aol.com The St. Paul Pioneer Press on June 5, 2005 those who have given or pledged at least ten /_ht_a/shbest/index.htm had an article, “Elementary? You Bet” that thousand dollars to the Collections. highlighted the Sherlock Holmes This spring I’ve traveled to a number of Collections. The article by Jim Ragsdale Your financial and material aid is needed to Sherlockian meetings. I attended the STUD pointed out that, “Minnesota has become a help make the Sherlock Holmes Collections Dinner in Chicago and while there was hotbed of serious enthusiasm for Sherlock the World Center for the Study and pleased to accept a donation from Susan Holmes.” It featured Julie McKuras and the Appreciation of Sherlock Holmes. Thank Diamond, ASH, BSI. I was able to visit with Norwegian Explorers of Minnesota, John you for being a member. many Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Bergquist (Friends Vice President), the Baker Richard J. Sveum, MD, BSI 4 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Musings

The staff and volunteers of Year for 1997 and an inveterate collec- sleague.homestead.com. I hope that any The Sherlock Holmes tor. We hope that the display of items future meetings dedicated to cleaning Collections haven’t experi- from the Andersen Library treasure Gideon’s basement unearth more treasures. T enced the “dull routine of trove added to the attendees’ enjoy- existence” (SIGN) lately. We’ve had ment as much as the careful planning Jon Lellenberg’s 100 Years Ago column visitors from far and wide, taken our and hosting by the “Holmes Under the reflects on “E. W. Hornung’s durable show on the road and welcomed new Arch II” committee. character A. J. Raffles” and the cente- donations and purchases. nary of his book Thief in the Night. Gideon Hill of Philadelphia has written Tim Johnson has updated on the I would like to welcome two new con- in our 50 Years Ago column about his continuous progress seen in the Holmes tributors to this issue of the newsletter. experience of requesting an article from Collections, and Dick Sveum notes the Our lead article was written by Joe the Collections. His research for a future news of the Friends organization. Eckrich, BSI (1993, “The Stockbroker’s meeting of Mycroft’s League led him to Clerk”). Joe is the founder and presi- the Collections and illustrates one way I hope you’re all enjoying the summer dent of The Parallel Case of St. Louis, a the library continues to add to the cur- weather that we appreciate so much member of the Occupants of the rent holdings. The website address for here in Minnesota. Stay cool. Empty House, Noble Bachelor of the Mycroft’s League is http://mycroft- Julie McKuras, ASH, BSI Using the Collections Photo by Julie McKuras hile visiting the United Jim Ragsdale States, Andrew Lycett of toured the London conducted Holmes research for his planned Collections as W part of his biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He toured The Sherlock Holmes research for his Collections and spent time in the read- newspaper article. ing room with a variety of original The June 5, 2005 materials relating to the literary agent. St. Paul Pioneer Mr. Lycett is the author of Qaddafi and Press article, the Libyan Revolution, 1987; Ian Fleming: “Elementary? The Man behind James Bond, 1995; From You Bet” refer- John Bergquist, Jim Ragsdale and Tim Johnson Diamond Sculls to Golden Handcuffs: A enced the History of Rowe & Pitman, 1999; Collections. Rudyard Kipling, 1999; and Dylan Photo by Julie McKuras Thomas: A New Life, 2004. Andrew Lycett in the Reading Room Leslie Klinger

he manuscript for Leslie The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes and Klinger’s The New Annotated editor Les Klinger were awarded the Sherlock Holmes was recently Edgar Award on April 28, 2005 and donated to the Sherlock have been nominated for the Anthony T and the Macavity awards. Les is shown Holmes Collections as a gift from the BSI Trust. Les noted that “I’m honored in the accompanying photo with that the University would want to newsletter editor Julie McKuras at the include the manuscripts of my books Malice Domestic Conference Banquet among those materials.” held in Washington DC on April 30. Photo by Peter E. Blau Leslie Klinger and Julie McKuras Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 Holmes Under the Arch II.. Continued from Page 1

In April of this year Julie emailed me 16. A postage stamp of Goofy as Collection and secondly for his willing- with a list of materials she would be Holmes from Redonda, an island ness to allow these treasures out of his bringing to the conference – and to say kingdom in the Caribbean sight and for the great booklet the I was delighted would be an under- 17. An Edgar W. Smith note to Mac Collections created, which included statement. The material included the McDiarmid regarding the BSI Tim’s introduction. following: dinner with a mention of Minnesotans Philip S. Hench and It seems to me that there are three rea- 1. Gray Chandler Briggs’ October 18, Theodore Blegen sons for a collection such as that held 1921 letter to Frederic Dorr Steele, 18. The Real Sherlock Holmes by Mac in Minneapolis. The first is to preserve along with the photos Briggs took McDiarmid, from the Hammer the material for future generations. The in London of Baker Street Collection second is to make materials available 2. Frederic Dorr Steele’s letter of 19. An invitation to the BSI dinner to for researchers. The third is to allow January 19, 1935 to Gray Chandler William S. Baring-Gould from Sherlockians who may never have a Briggs Julian Wolff chance to own such material to view it 3. Two letters from Briggs to Vincent Starrett 4. The June 1893 issue of the Strand magazine with “The Musgrave Ritual” 5. Frederic Dorr Steele’s sketch of Charles Augustus Milverton 6. The programme for Sherlock Holmes Farewell Tour Appearances of William Gillette 1929 – 1930 7. Saint’s Choice magazine for 1945 with the “Adventure of Shamrock Jones” 8. Two books written by Vincent Starrett. One carried the bookplate Photo by Mike McKuras of his wife and one with both Mac Julie McKuras and Dick Sveum McDiarmid’s and John Bennett Shaw’s bookplates. When I made my request for material and to learn from it – to learn about 9. Newspaper clippings from the from the Collection, I never dreamed Sherlockians who have gone before Edith Meiser collection we would get such treasures and so them and their importance to today’s 10. An invitation to dine at the White many of them. In addition to request- Sherlockian movement. In keeping House from Eleanor Roosevelt to ing a display of material, I also asked if with that last idea, I commend the Howard Haycraft as well as a it would be possible for the Collections Collection, and Tim Johnson, for being Christmas card and a pass to enter to create a special booklet on the willing to bring material to those the White House grounds display. Once again they were happy to Sherlockians who may never have the 11. Philip Hench’s copy of Christopher oblige. opportunity of visiting Minneapolis. Morley’s Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. It contains Hench’s I can’t tell you how excited I was when note regarding rereading this book I received Julie’s email and again when while on a trip to Meiringen. I actually saw the material. The booklet This trip sparked the interest to made a very nice keepsake of the install a plaque at the Reichenbach weekend and of the display. The Falls. feedback I heard was excellent. I truly 12. John Bennett Shaw’s ASH believe the display and the correspond- investiture certificate ing booklet added significantly to the 13. The Noble Bachelors’ March 10-11, success of our conference. 1984 conference packet 14. A Christmas card from Edgar W. Julie knows how I feel about her

Smith participation in this venture. I also Photo by Julie McKuras 15. Adrian Conan Doyle letter to would like to thank Tim Johnson, first Doris and Richard Dale, Catherine Cooke William S. Baring-Gould for his wonderful curatorship of the

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

hat catches your eye? on the site. At present you’ll find Or what do the winds of listings for Willard Crakes, Paulette discourse blow your way? Greene, Howard Haycraft, Philip W Curious questions, maybe, Hench, Jack Key, Bill Rabe, John but for whatever reason my eyes and Bennett Shaw, and Sherlockian periodi- ears latched on to a couple of titles cals from scion societies. I’m now (mentioned during one of my regular working on Vincent Starrett and Edith The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections is a quarterly newsletter published by the Monday meetings with Julie McKuras Meiser finding aids and hope to have Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections and Dick Sveum), both by the author them posted in the very near future. which seek to promote the activities, inter- Mark Frost: The List of 7 and The Six Each finding aid provides a summary ests and needs of the Special Collections and Rare Books Department, University of Messiahs. I won’t offer any critique of of the collection, its scope and content, Minnesota Libraries. either book here, except to say that biographical or historical information, Mail editorial correspondence c/o: they were both page-turning quick and a more detailed contents list. We Editor reads with interesting Doylean twists trust that researchers will find these Julie McKuras that I couldn’t put down; a nice way to finding aids helpful as they plan their 13512 Granada Ave. Apple Valley, MN 55124 kick off my summer reading. If you research. For larger collections these 952-431-1934 come across something interesting aids will allow researchers to focus 952-431-5965 Fax during your summer months send me their time and effort on the specific [email protected] a note. I would be very interested to boxes or files that are most relevant Editorial Board hear from you and to receive recom- to their topic. John Bergquist, Timothy Johnson, mendations on other titles that would Jon Lellenberg, Richard J. Sveum, M.D. expand my Holmesian/Doylean Finally, a couple of updates: This horizons. Spring I was reappointed by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Copyright © 2004 We’ve expanded our horizons in a Representatives to a fourth term on University of Minnesota Library few other ways that I trust you will the Advisory Committee on the enjoy. First, we accepted the gracious Records of Congress. I’ve found this The University of Minnesota is an Equal invitation to exhibit items from the work very rewarding and look forward Opportunity Educator and Employer. Collections at the recent “Under the to more visits to Washington (where Arch II” conference in St. Louis. While I hope to spend a bit of free time with other events made it impossible for those of you who might be in that me to attend, Dick Sveum and Julie area). Also, in one of my earlier and Mike McKuras represented the columns I mentioned my upcoming Collections and were delighted to article, “The Adventure of the show selected items. I am very Unopened Box,” which provides a brief appreciative that the conference history of the major acquisitions within organizers thought of us in this way the Collections. That article was to be and that we were able to exhibit many published by Haworth Press in its items that had a St. Louis connection. journal The Acquisition Librarian. Julie and I worked on a small illustrat- Unfortunately, the editor of this journal ed booklet to go along with the died and publication was delayed. exhibit. In case you missed our “Under Recently, word was received that the Arch” appearance, we’ve posted an Haworth has decided to publish the electronic version of the booklet on various articles (all of which deal with our web site. Point your browser to Special Collections) in its journal http://special.lib.umn.edu/rare/holmes/ Collection Management. Publication is underarch2.pdf or click on the link set for November 2005. Have an from our Holmes page. enjoyable summer of reading, travels, and other adventures! While you’re visiting our web site take a look at a few of the finding aids to Tim Johnson manuscript materials that we’ve posted

Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 7 100 Years Ago.. Continued from Page 2

There Raffles is recognized by an old earliest days together, and fill in The Thief in the Night stories were suc- friend, and in the course of detecting a the blanks left by discretion in cessful, but they did run into trouble traitor in their ranks, his identity also existing annals. In so doing I in New York where the society gossip becomes known to his General. But may indeed fill some small part weekly Town Topics launched a cam- his service to country expiates his past of an infinitely greater blank, paign against it. Green notes that the crimes, giving him an opportunity to across which you may conceive campaign “was directed against the make a new life for himself. It is short- me to have stretched my canvas publisher, who was accused of under- lived, though; in a duel with a Boer for the first frank portrait of my mining the youth of America,” but sniper, defending a wounded Bunny, friend. The whole truth cannot does not seem aware of the ironic jest Raffles is slain. And it is already clear harm him now. I shall paint in in this. Town Topics was the instrument to Bunny and the reader that a clean every wart. Raffles was a villain, by which the nefarious Colonel death of his sort was what the weary when all is written; it is no ser- William D’Alton Mann, a Civil War Raffles was seeking. vice to his memory to gloze the hero gone wrong, conducted an fact; yet I have done so myself extremely lucrative blackmailing rack- But Raffles’ success on stage (parallel- before to-day. I have omitted et for over twenty-five years. (See ing William Gillette’s in Sherlock whole heinous episodes. I have chapter 4, “The Benevolent Holmes) followed The Black Mask, and dwelt unduly on the redeeming Blackmailer,” in Lucius Beebe’s The Big by 1905, one hundred years ago, side. And this I may do again, Spenders, Doubleday, 1966.) It was as Hornung was exhuming Raffles for a blinded even as I write by the if Charles Augustus Milverton were to third series of stories entitled A Thief in gallant glamour that made my mount a stage to denounce Raffles’ the Night. He did not bring Raffles villain more to me than any moral effect – and likely had some- back to life; these were posthumous hero. But at least there shall be thing to do with the publisher’s refusal tales as The Hound of the Baskervilles no more reservations, and as an in one of Colonel Mann’s enterprises. had been for Sherlock Holmes. earnest I shall make no further “There is nothing new under the sun,” Hornung opened the first one, “Out of secret of the greatest wrong that says Sherlock Holmes in A Study in Paradise,” with a paragraph that even Raffles ever did me. Scarlet: “It has all been done before.” sounds positively resentful, and not on Bunny’s part alone: Hornung closed the series with a letter Jon Lellenberg, BSI about Raffles from an old love in their If I must tell more tales of lives, and called it “The Last Word.” Raffles, I can but go back to our (Even then it was not; in 1908 came a novel, Mr. Justice Raffles.)

For any inquiries contact: Remembrances Timothy J. Johnson, Curator In supporting the Sherlock Holmes Collections, many donors have made 612-624-3552 or contributions either in honor or in memory of special persons. [email protected] In Honor of From Julie McKuras Bill Vande Water Sherlock Holmes Collections Theresa and Robert Thomalen Alexian Gregory and Janice Stauber Suite 111, Elmer L. Andersen Library University of Minnesota In Memory of From 222 21st Ave. S. James C. Cleary Sue and Ben Vizoskie Minneapolis, MN 55455 Richard Garvey John Lockwood Telephone: 612-624-7526 Cameron Hollyer Bruce D. Aikin FAX: 612-626-9353 Mary Manire Jack Key Timothy J. Johnson, Curator E. W. McDiarmid John Stewart Norman and Diana Schatell Amy Schatell Caroline Smerk George M. Smerk Mailing list corrections requested— Because of the high cost of returned newsletters, we would appreciate being informed of changes of address or other corrections.

8 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections