Christopher and Barbara Roden Donate Shaw-Tracy Letters To

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March 2002 D S O F N Volume 6 Number 1 E T Acquisitions I H R E ue Vizoskie, A.S.H., donated copies of two booklets that she compiled and edited. Teas and Toasts with the 3 Garridebs F was completed for the 10th Anniversary Picnic and Victorian Tea that is held annually by the 3 Garridebs, and it includes toasts and recipes of items that have been made for the picnics. Her second booklet, Sherlockians Aboard: S Their Adventures on and Memoirs of The Sherlock Holmes Society of London Golden Jubilee Cruise 2001, contains essays by a number of Americans and Canadians who participated in the cruise. Michael Doyle donated a copy of It Commenced with Two…, The Story of Mary Ann Doyle, written by Bonaventure Brennan, Sherlock Holmes RSM. Mr. Doyle purchased this book and had it signed by the author for presentation to the Collections. Mary Ann Doyle, COLLECTIONS the great-aunt of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is noted in this book as a companion to Catherine McAuley, founder of the order of the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. “Your merits should be publicly recognized” (STUD) Don Hobbs presented Curator Tim Johnson with a copy of the Lithuanian magazine Veidas, which carried an article titled “Views of a Maniac Collector” and an accompanying picture of Don with Dorothy Rowe Shaw. While pursuing his own maniac collecting of foreign editions several years ago, Don was asked to write an article which he titled “Collecting Sherlock Contents Christopher and Barbara Roden Donate Holmes.” This ran in a different Lithuanian magazine in April 1997. The article proved so popular that Don was asked to do a follow-up for Veidas. Christopher and Barbara Shaw-Tracy Letters to Sherlock Holmes Roden Donate Shaw- Collections C. C. Williamsen donated a copy of his book Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of The Dozen Doctored Gutties. This is his first Tracy Letters to Sherlock Sherlock Holmes novel. The author lives in Minneapolis. Holmes Collections By Richard J. Sveum, M.D., B.S.I.

1 Editor’s Note: It is our goal to make the Sherlock Holmes Collections the World Center for the study and research on Sherlock Holmes and related subjects. We 100 Years Ago cannot underestimate the value of Sherlockian personal papers and correspondence to the Collections and its users, and welcome the donation of originals and photo- 2 copies. We are most gratified that Christopher and Barbara Roden have included the Sherlock Holmes Collections in their generous bequests of Jack Tracy material. For any inquiries contact: 50 Years Ago Remembrances Timothy J. Johnson, Curator hristopher Roden, M.Bt., B.S.I. and Barbara Roden, M.Bt. have donated a file In supporting the Sherlock Holmes Collections, many donors have made 612-624-3552 or 3 of correspondence from John Bennett Shaw to Jack Tracy to the Sherlock contributions either in honor or in memory of special persons. [email protected] Holmes Collections. The correspondence is part of a larger collection of Tracy From the President C material that was acquired in the disposal auction following his death and used IN HONOR OF FROM Sherlock Holmes Collections in the preparation of the Rodens’ On the Shoulders of Giants, Jack Tracy and The The Hounds of the Internet Laura Kuhn Suite 111, Elmer L. Andersen Library 4 Encyclopaedia Sherlockiana, The Baker Street Journal 2001 Christmas Annual. In a letter to Richard J. Sveum, M.D., B.S.I. Robert Katz, M.D., B.S.I. University of Minnesota Special Collections and Rare Books Curator Tim Johnson, the Rodens stated, “We are Richard J. Sveum, M.D., B.S.I. Julie and Michael McKuras 222 21st Ave. S. An Update from the pleased to offer this as a donation to the Shaw Collection, in hope that it will be of use Minneapolis, MN 55455 Collections to scholars in the future, and will supplement your existing holdings.” This donation IN MEMORY OF FROM Telephone: 612-624-7526 was given in memory of Jack Tracy and Cameron Hollyer. Don Hardenbrook, B.S.I. Vincent Brosnan FAX: 612-626-9353 5 My Hound of the Baskervilles Warren Randall Timothy J. Johnson, Curator Malcolm Payne David Rush Musings John Bennett Shaw Saul Cohen John Bennett Shaw Evelyn Herzog Mailing list corrections requested— 5 John Bennett Shaw John Stephenson Because of the high cost of returned newsletters, we would appreciate being informed of changes Ray Shove Karen Murdock of address or other corrections. Acquisitions Pat Simon Edgar Simon, Jr. 8

Remembrances 8 photo from Richard Sveum Richard photo from Richard Sveum, Barbara and Christopher Roden at the 2002 B.S.I. Cocktail Party Continued on page 6

8 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 1 use to the title and character of (1851-1940) and Gustave Frohman Continued from Page 2 (1855-1930). He started his career as Sherlock Holmes. Faced with a num- 50 Years Ago a box-office clerk and by 1883 was ber of productions utilizing the title working as an independent producer and character, Charles Frohman’s solic- year the Disney Company produced “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree”. They in New York. In 1890 he organized itors soon “were vigorously hunting released three more Pooh films, the last in 1982, as well as animated television the Charles Frohman Stock Company down every little music-hall sketch series and anthologies. Their items featuring the Pooh characters are available in and opened the Empire Theatre in and playlet that was using the name an astounding range of merchandise and lead the company’s licensed merchandise 100 January 1893. As author Michael Sherlock Holmes in the title or public- in sales, surpassing Mickey and Minnie Mouse. YEARS AGO Pointer notes in The Public Life of ity.” (Pointer 24) They were successful Sherlock Holmes “American impresario in their 1901 battle against the Julie McKuras, A.S.H., B.S.I. The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections John Bennett Shaw’s notebook of press is a quarterly newsletter published by the Charles Frohman [had] a remarkable Hopkins Amusement Company’s pro- clippings for the period before 1903 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections reputation for discovering and devel- duction of “Sherlock Holmes, Detective: *For additional information regarding Adrian Conan Doyle’s tumultuous relation- which seek to promote the activities, inter- has a small photocopied article from oping theatrical talent. He helped to or The Sigh(sic) of Four” (Pointer 25) ship with the B.S.I., please refer to the Archival History of the Baker Street ests and needs of the Special Collections the New York Times. Shaw’s accompa- and Rare Books Department, University of make stars of such players as Ethel based on “The Sign of Four.” In 1902 Irregulars by Jon L. Lellenberg, nying typed note states it ran on Minnesota Libraries. Barrymore, Billie Burke, Otis Skinner the Appellate Court in Chicago upheld October 25, 1902 on page 7, column References Mail editorial correspondence c/o: and William Gillette…[Gillette] had this decision. 2. Due to the poor quality of the copy, Editor written and, under Frohman’s aus- Julie McKuras Shaw typed the content of “Play is an Austin, James Bliss. “The Family’s Counterattack.” The Quest for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Ed. Jon L. Lellenberg. Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois University Press, 1987. 13512 Granada Ave. pices, appeared in the hugely success- Apple Valley, MN 55124 Infringement” and affixed it with the Christ, Carol Tecla. “Milne, A. A.” World Book Online Americas Edition, ful Secret Service.” (17) By 1915 Charles Frohman was the 952-431-1934 photocopy. It reads: http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wbol/wbPage/na/ar/co/362560, January 27, 2002. proprietor and manager of a number 952-431-5965 Fax Lellenberg, Jon L. Irregular Memories of the ‘Thirties. New York: Fordham University Press, 1990. When Conan Doyle wrote a Sherlock of theaters in New York and London. [email protected] Play is an Infringement. So Judge Milne, A. A. It’s Too Late Now. London: Methuen and Co., Ltd., 1939. Holmes play “towards the end of ’97” He managed the careers of 28 leading Decides in the Case of Editorial Board (Carr, 107) he sent the play to Herbert stars and paid out more than $35 mil- John Bergquist, Timothy Johnson, “Sherlock Holmes, Detective.” Beerbohm Tree, the actor-manager of lion per year in salaries to the 10,000 Jon Lellenberg, Richard J. Sveum, M.D. Special to the New York Times people on his payroll. He was known Copyright © 2001 Her Majesty’s Theater, but artistic dif- University of Minnesota Library ferences prevented the two from col- as an “exceptionally fair man whose CHICAGO, October 24 – When Christopher and Barbara Roden Donate The University of Minnesota is an Equal laborating. A. P. Watt, Conan Doyle’s word was his only contract.” Opportunity Educator and Employer. the Hopkins Amusement professional representative and the (Encyclopedia.Com) Charles Frohman Company advertised the production Shaw-Tracy Letters to Sherlock Holmes man “credited with having coined the was on board the Cunard steamship “Sherlock Holmes, Detective,” it term ‘literary agent’ (Stashower 121) Lusitania as it sailed from New York Collection Continued from Page 6 attempted to lead the public to encouraged him to forward the play to on May 1, 1915. On May 7, within believe the play was the same as Charles Frohman. Conan Doyle was sight of the southern coast of Ireland, both the Encyclopaedia and Apocrypha A special thank you is extended to Barbara Roden are well-known that collaborated by A. Conan “impressed with the extraordinary the Lusitania was torpedoed by the and many Gaslight titles. 1993 also Christopher and Barbara Roden for authors, editors and publishers. They Doyle and William Gillette, power of [Frohman’s] personality” German U-Boat U-20 and sank within marked the end of the correspondence their donation of the Tracy-Shaw let- live in Ashcroft, British Columbia, according to an opinion delivered (Higham 152). Frohman in turn pre- eighteen minutes. Frohman died between Tracy and Shaw. ters to the University of Minnesota. Canada where they direct the Ash Tree by Judge Freeman in the Appellate sented the play to William Gillette. along with 1197 others. His final The file of correspondence will join the Press (supernatural fiction) and the Court to-day. “Gillette was in California at the time, words were reported to be “Why fear Tracy wrote in August 1978, “I recol- letters from Tracy that John Bennett Calabash Press (books by Sherlockians The decision was given in a suit appearing in the farewell tour of Secret death? It is the most beautiful adven- lect your asking where I found out Shaw kept, as well as the books writ- for Sherlockians) and two literary soci- brought by Charles Frohman Service, and Frohman gave him leave ture in life.” He is buried in Union about The Stonor Case (that’s “Stonor,” ten by Tracy which were a part of the eties, the Arthur Conan Doyle Society against the Hopkins Company to of absence from the cast to complete Field Cemetery in Queens, New York. not “Stoner”). It’s mentioned in the John Bennett Shaw Collection, some of and the Ghost Story Society. The restrain the latter from announcing the writing of his new play.” (Pointer biographical archives list at the end of which carry affectionate notes to Shaw Rodens’ home page can be found at or promoting the play under the 18) Gillette’s rewritten version of the Pierre Nordin’s(sic) biography. I wrote by the author. Christopher and http://www.ash-tree.bc.ca/index.html name “Sherlock Holmes.” It play, which met with Conan Doyle’s Julie McKuras, A.S.H., B.S.I. to Dame Jean Conan Doyle about it with links to their activities. was alleged that the defendant approval, debuted at the Garrick and received an extraordinary nasty company was attempting to Theatre in 1899. In addition to his Carr, John Dickson. The Life of Sir Arthur reply, categorically denying permission deceive the public, and an injunction Conan Doyle. New York: Carroll and Graf productions starring Gillette, to publish. But I am a patient man. was secured in the Circuit Court. Publishers, 1990. Frohman’s touring companies in The last of the Holmes copyrights From this order an appeal was Higham, Charles. The Adventures of Conan England featured H. A. Saintsbury as Doyle. New York: W. W. Norton and Co., expire in the year 2002. I will be only taken to the Appellate Court, and Holmes and a young Charlie Chaplin Inc. 1976. fifty-eight.” Jack Tracy never saw his Judge Freeman sustained the lower Pointer, Michael. The Public Life of Sherlock as Billy the page. fifty-eighth birthday. He died in 1996 court. Holmes. London: David and Charles, 1975. Stashower, Daniel. Teller of Tales. New York: in a traffic accident. Gillette scholar S E. Dahlinger notes Henry Holt and Company, 1999. Charles Frohman was born June 17, that Gillette had a contractual agree- 1860 in Sandusky Ohio, the youngest

ment with Conan Doyle for exclusive photo by Julie McKuras brother of theatrical managers Daniel Jack Tracy's Gaslight Publications

2 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 7 al year.” Milne believed that Holmes Henley House, and was inspired by one Christopher and Barbara Roden Donate Shaw-Tracy Letters died on May 4, 1891 at the of his teachers, H. G. Wells. Milne to Sherlock Holmes Collections Continued from Page 2 Reichenbach Falls. With the failure of graduated from Cambridge in 1903. his medical practice and his gambling That same year he submitted his first The exchange of letters reveals not John Bennett Shaw sent Tracy all the House of El Dieff isn’t about to Xerox losses, Watson was forced to invent “an Sherlock Holmes parody to Punch, only a mutually admiring if sometimes printed material from the 1977 Notre the original manuscript for me.” Shaw obviously absurd tale to account for which refused it, and then to Vanity strained relationship between two very Dame Sherlockian Workshop includ- responds, “Your idea of a one volume Holmes’ return to life, and kept up the Fair. He wrote in his autobiography different kinds of Sherlockians but also ing the Basic Holmesian Library and Holmesian apocrypha a dandy idea. 50 pretense by advancing the dates of some that not long after his submission, he YEARS AGO an insight into the growth of Tracy’s wrote, “anxiously awaiting your What about copyrights? …Yes I have of the adventures to years subsequent to casually paged through the latest issue publishing efforts. The file starts on Encyclopaedia. It is amazing how all the items you mention other than 1891.” Milne wrote of Watson that “he of Vanity Fair. He was disappointed to Among John Bennett Shaw’s collection March 13, 1971 when John Bennett much you have accomplished.” In the ANGEL(sic) OF DARKNESS. Lew may be described as sound on the main see that someone else had a Holmes of periodicals featuring Sherlockian Shaw wrote to Jack Tracy to get a copy autumn of 1977 Shaw wrote, “And Feldman kept a close watch on this… facts but a little uncertain as to detail”, a parody published but soon realized that related articles is the March 8, 1952 of his booklet Conan Doyle and the when will Encyclopaedia be out - I Naturally I am anxious to assist any comment that can also be used to it was his own story. This was his first New York Times Magazine. A. A. Milne, Latter-Day Saints, noted in the March have it on order and have for some Holmesian and especially one as cre- describe Milne’s error in regard to both “free-lance contribution” (Milne 160) who is best known for creating Winnie- 1971 Baker Street Journal. Shaw time.” Finally the long awaited book ative as you.” Tracy continues after the Conan Doyle’s and Holmes’ birthdates. and earned him fifteen shillings. the-Pooh, wrote an article titled “New enclosed one dollar plus 12 cents for appeared and Shaw wrote, “Yesterday manuscript finally writing, “The Explorations in Baker Street” with the postage and requested “Any other late in the afternoon I received my Apocrypha is being typeset right now. On board the S. S. America as it sailed From 1906 – 1914 Milne was the assis- subtitle “Holmes and Watson are con- Doyle material you may issue would copy of your Encyclopaedia!!!! It will not include “The Angels of to New York, Adrian Conan Doyle read tant editor of Punch, and contributed sulted on the life of the writer they also be of interest.” In December 1971 Excellent. I spent most of last evening Darkness,” I regret to say. We decided Milne’s article. His response to the many poems and essays. In 1913 he made famous – Conan Doyle.” Shaw wrote, “I am as you may know going through it - in fact I called Jon that to delay publication of all the New York Times Magazine appeared in married Dorothy “Daphne” de noted for few things but one thing is Lellenberg’s attention to the fact that it Apocrypha until we could get ‘Angels’ the March 30, 1952 issue. He wrote Selincourt, the goddaughter of Punch “And in plain fact a doctor called that I am a most serious (ie. mad) col- was out and that it was Canonical and was unsound business. So the pub- “I have read with amusement, not owner Owen Seamen. He served in the Doyle created a private detective who lector of anything Sherlockian. The well done and valuable. Poor old Dr. lished Apocrypha will compromise unmixed with a less than complimen- British Army as a signaling officer until came to life and swallowed him up.” forthcoming deWaal bibliography lists Park, his Encyclopaedia no longer of one collection, and when ‘Angels’ tary emotion, the laborious attempt of February 1919. The following year on Milne compared Sherlock Holmes to 4900 items in English about our Cult use. Really, my congratulations on a comes available I’ll see that it’s pub- A. A. Milne to patronize the memory of August 21 his son Christopher Robin the famous fictional creations and I have at present 93.2% of them. monumental job. I will now have to lished, probably by itself. Its legal sta- a world-famous man, whose fictional Milne was born. He told his son stories Pygmalion and Frankenstein, citing So please send me ANYthing add to the books I always say to my tus is so ambiguous that once I get my creation, Sherlock Holmes, represented about a little Canadian bear at the them as having similarly “usurped the Sherlockian you do, that is done about audiences are cornerstones - De Waal, hands on the manuscript I’ll go ahead but one facet in a life that was as bril- London Zoo, whom Christopher interest due to his creator.” Milne took you or the Scion and so on.” Tracy and Baring-Gould’s ANNOTAT- and publish and let the chips fall liant in its achievements as it was renamed “Pooh.” Milne spun more sto- the opportunity of what he understood ED. Your Investiture should be where they may.” noble in its purposes…The fact that ries from those experiences and to be the centenary year of the birth of Jack Tracy kept hand written draft changed to The Encyclopaedia Milne is apparently unaware of my Christopher’s toys, adding a character Conan Doyle to write the “facts” on copies of the letters he sent to John Britannica!!” In September 1978 Shaw The Angels of Darkness: A Drama in father’s correct surname (Conan Doyle) based on his son as the human compan- Holmes and Watson. Citing Watson’s Bennett Shaw. In a December 1971 wrote, “Oh yes, did I send the update Three Acts by Arthur Conan Doyle and that even the centenary date is out ion to the forest ensemble. Winnie-the- role as Boswell, Milne wrote that the letter which foreshadowed his own of my Basic Holmes Library list? I Edited, with introduction by Peter by seven years is wholly in keeping Pooh, 1926, and The House at Pooh good doctor’s errors in dating could be future problems with his publisher included the great Encyclopaedia Blau was published by the Baker Street with an article which is out of date in Corner, 1928, are considered “master- attributed to the Jezail bullet hitting Doubleday, Tracy wrote about his which, by the way, I now have in Irregulars in cooperation with the its whole misconception.” He conclud- pieces of children’s literature.” (Christ) him not in the shoulder or leg but in Scion society. He extended an invita- Japanese!!” (Tracy received his investi- Toronto Public Library in 2001, some ed with “In the meantime, the views of He also published his collections of chil- the head. Watson realized that the mention to Shaw for membership in The ture of A Case of Identity in 1976). twenty one years after Sherlock Holmes: Mr. Milne are valuable on the subject dren’s poems, When We Were Very Young tion of a head wound would cause pity Unanswered Correspondents, writing The Published Apocrypha by Sir Arthur of Christopher Robin.” in 1924 and Now We Are Six in 1927. and sympathy he could not bear, so he “We have no membership classifica- Another interesting thread began in Conan Doyle & associated hands, He adapted Kenneth Grahame’s The consequently “transferred the wound.” tions or responsibilities, no dues, no September 1977 when Tracy wrote, Selected and Edited by Jack Tracy The third son of Conan Doyle, “the Wind in the Willows into the play Toad of This wound not only hampered his Constitution, and no problems. We “you once offered to make the Shaw (Houghton Mifflin Company Boston sometimes volcanic” (Lellenberg 227) Toad Hall in 1929. In 1922 he wrote his writing, forcing him to rely on his own have officers and the offices of Coal- Collection available to me should I 1980). Apocrypha was “dedicated, in Adrian “considered himself the guardian only detective novel The Red House hastily and possibly poorly written Scuttle, Persian Slipper and Jack Knife, ever have occasion to need it, and the great admiration to John Bennett Shaw, of his father’s literary reputation [and] Mystery, which is described as a very notes when recording their adventures, but we’re not certain who holds which time has come to ask your assistance. respected Sherlockian, keeper of the was very critical of the views and activi- Sherlockian work. He also wrote a but his medical practice as well. position… to join you need only leave A local publisher and I are planning a lumber room and The Hans Sloan(sic) ties of Sherlockian enthusiasts, especial- number of other plays and short stories. this letter Unanswered, and you limited edition of the complete of His Age.” Jack Tracy went on to ly the Baker Street Irregulars whose Milne went on to give the facts known remain a member as long as we Sherlock Holmes apocrypha, and I’m start Gaslight Publications, which pub- dogma that his father had been merely a In October of 1952, Milne had a about Holmes beginning with his remember who you are.” Tracy also in want of the following texts: Angels lished a Sherlock Holmes Monograph literary agent for Dr. Watson was anath- stroke and lived as an invalid until his birthdate, citing that “internal evi- wrote, “Thank God I’m not a collector. of Darkness (play; 1890)… ‘Angels of Series and a Conan Doyle Centennial ema to him.” (Austin 105)* death on January 31, 1956. In 1966, dence…places the date in the early I don’t own 93.2% of myself, let alone Darkness’ is probably the most diffi- Series as well as many other books. Daphne sold the film rights to Winnie Fifties, and the most authoritative of Sherlockiana… My mania is com- cult. Having never been published, The final John Bennett Shaw Basic Alan Alexander Milne was born January the Pooh to Walt Disney, who liked opinion has fixed on 1852 as the actu- mentary, which consumes nothing there’s no authoritative text, and the Holmesian Library (1993) included 18, 1882 in London. He was schooled at the stories as a young man. That same more than time and paper.” Continued on page 7 Continued on page 7

6 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 3 From the President An Update from the Collections

ive years ago, as the new World Center for the study and ideal candidate to lead the Libraries to s we enter 2002, we also An additional advantage presents itself Internet may also notice some service President of the Friends of the research on Sherlock Holmes and the next level of excellence.” I served move into the final year of the by being farther ahead on the project interruptions during the transition. As Sherlock Holmes Collections, related subjects has stayed the same. on the University Librarian Search three-year cataloging project than planned. During the next few they say in the building trades, “please F I had my first meeting with I want to extend our gratitude to all of Committee and can report that it was A funded by a gift from the months the Libraries will be in the excuse our dust.” our Advisory Group in New York. the fine writers who have contributed an intensive national search process. Hubbs family. It has been an exciting midst of a massive undertaking: the The suggestion made at that meeting articles to these twenty issues, to We Friends of the Sherlock Holmes project and a wonderful partnership conversion and migration of 6 It was good to see many of you during was to consider doing a newsletter in everyone who has donated money and Collections look forward to welcoming that should see us, by year’s end, with a million computerized bibliographic the annual January festivities in New order to communicate our activities material to the Collections, and to our the new University Librarian. cataloged book and periodical collec- records from our current system York. I was especially pleased for Dick and highlight the current holdings of loyal Friends and subscribers. tion. The cataloging project staff contin- (NOTIS) to a new system (EX LIBRIS). Sveum and the recognition he received the Collections. The Friends of the The Friends Board is working on a ues to work ahead of expectations and This conversion project has (and will) (not to mention the fun we had together Sherlock Holmes Collections Board I am proud to report Wendy Pradt 2002 Plan to engage more volunteers predictions. This is evident in the total occupy a great deal of our attention for visiting any number of Manhattan book- decided to act immediately on the sug- Lougee has been named the new to work in the Sherlock Holmes number of items cataloged and in a period of about eighteen months. In shops). I continue to feel very fortunate gestion and I was fortunate that two University of Minnesota Librarian and Collections. Donations are always the cost-sharing contributions by the the past months we’ve been working on to have such Friends of the Collections people joined in the challenge. Bruce will hold the newly designated welcomed especially John Bennett Libraries. As of January, when we sent issues of data conversion and migration, who do so much to promote the Southworth volunteered to edit and McKnight Presidential Professorship in Shaw letters, scion society newsletters our regular six-month report to the interface design (what you see on the Collections in so many ways. For me, write, and Julie McKuras set out to Library Science to start in June 2002. and manuscript material. All new Hubbs family, library project team screen, the search options you’ll have, Dick Sveum and Julie McKuras and oth- find a printer, establish a database, Lougee is currently Associate Director money, unless otherwise designated, members had cataloged 12,232 items how the results of a search are present- ers from our local band of Norwegian and find out what the logistics were of the University Library with respon- will be directed to the E.W. out of an estimated total of 15,610. ed, etc.) and a host of other issues. Our Explorers are, indeed, true friends. for printing and mailing. We were sibility for digital library services at the McDiarmid Curatorship for the This represents 81% of the total, putting trainers—the staff who will train the rest extremely busy during the next few University of Michigan. She will Sherlock Holmes Collections us significantly ahead of our earlier esti- of us on how to operate the new sys- I hope that you’ll feel free to contact me weeks as we considered the format replace Thomas Shaughnessy who Endowment. mation of 67 % at this point. The tem—have received instruction from the or our staff if you have any questions and contents of this first issue. retired in late 2001 after 12 years as Libraries have also contributed nearly Ex Libris trainers. All of these activities about the new online system or about Unbelievably, in March of 1997, less University Librarian. The University Richard J. Sveum, M.D., B.S.I. $10,000 more in cost-sharing than ini- mean that during May and June no cat- anything else you’d like to see or know than two months after the suggestion of Minnesota Library, in addition to [email protected] tially agreed upon. So there is reason to aloging will be possible using the about the Sherlock Holmes Collections. was made, the Friends of the Sherlock the Andersen Library is housed in five celebrate. My thanks to all the members NOTIS system as the cut-over to the We’ll be happy to help you in any way Holmes Collections launched this major facilities and eleven branch of the Hubbs-Holmes cataloging project new system takes place. Those of you possible. newsletter. Since we began, our sites. Besides the Sherlock Holmes for their spirit and work. who use our catalog through the Editorial Board has evolved with the Collections its collections includes 6 Tim Johnson addition of Timothy Johnson, John million books making it the 17th Bergquist and Jon Lellenberg. Julie largest research library in North Musings McKuras has been the editor since the America. The Library employs 307 September 1999 issue as well as writ- staff members and it circulates more t doesn’t seem possible that it has tion but not limited to the John Bennett written by Christopher and Barbara ing most of the articles and acting as than 1 million volumes annually. been five years since Dick Sveum Shaw letters. As stated in the editorial Roden, please check on the web site business manager arranging produc- asked if anyone on the Friends note at the beginning our lead article, we www.bakerstreetjournal.com to order. tion, mailing and Friends correspon- Robert Bruininks, University of I Board was interested in working on cannot underestimate the value of dence. As I review the last five years Minnesota Executive Vice President a newsletter. It has been a tremendously Sherlockian personal papers and corre- In addition to Dick Sveum’s article about and twenty issues I am proud to say I and Provost said, “Wendy Pradt educational experience for all of us con- spondence to the Collections and its the Jack Tracy correspondence, the 50 believe we have communicated our Lougee is an outstanding and visionary nected with this newsletter and I hope users, and welcome the donation of orig- and 100 Years Ago columns feature sev- activities as well as highlighted the leader in the field. She has extensive the next five years will be as challenging inals and photocopies. eral interesting individuals. They also donations to and holdings within the experience in library administration and entertaining as the first five. share the common thread of having their Collections. A lot has changed in only and program development, and out- Jack Tracy was a complicated man whose origins in The New York Times. I would five years but our work to make The standing accomplishments in the acad- We are fortunate that Christopher and achievements are vital to Sherlockian like to thank S. E. Dahlinger for informa- Sherlock Holmes Collections the emic uses of technology. She is the Barbara Roden have included the writings. At the same time, his opinions tion regarding Charles Frohman. Sherlock Holmes Collections in their and statements were not always in agree- generous bequests of Jack Tracy material. ment with others, as indicated by the Last but not least, I would like to add my When John Bennett Shaw bequeathed newly received letters to Shaw. The note of congratulations to Dick Sveum, his correspondence files to the Sherlock Rodens’ On the Shoulders of Giants, Jack for his well-deserved irregular shilling Holmes Collections, they included only Tracy and The Encyclopaedia Sherlockiana, received in New York this past January. the letters written to him and not from The Baker Street Journal 2001 Christmas I can’t imagine anyone who would have photo by Julie McKuras Joe Eckrich, B.S.I., on a tour of the him. One of our goals is to have as com- Annual certainly points this out. Steve been either easier to work with or more Sherlock Holmes Collections. plete a record as possible of John Bennett Rothman, editor of The Baker Street consistently supportive than Dick these Joe is holding an original Shaw’s correspondence, and we would Journal, verified that there are a few past five years. Frederic Dorr Steele illustration. appreciate the donation of the originals copies of The Baker Street Journal or copies of letters written by Shaw. We Christmas Annual 2001 left. If you don’t Julie McKuras, A.S.H., B.S.I. welcome other personal papers in addi- have a copy of this wonderful edition

4 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 From the President An Update from the Collections

4 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 al year.” Milne believed that Holmes Henley House, and was inspired by one Christopher and Barbara Roden Donate Shaw-Tracy Letters died on May 4, 1891 at the of his teachers, H. G. Wells. Milne to Sherlock Holmes Collections Continued from Page 2 Reichenbach Falls. With the failure of graduated from Cambridge in 1903. his medical practice and his gambling That same year he submitted his first The exchange of letters reveals not John Bennett Shaw sent Tracy all the House of El Dieff isn’t about to Xerox losses, Watson was forced to invent “an Sherlock Holmes parody to Punch, only a mutually admiring if sometimes printed material from the 1977 Notre the original manuscript for me.” Shaw obviously absurd tale to account for which refused it, and then to Vanity strained relationship between two very Dame Sherlockian Workshop includ- responds, “Your idea of a one volume Holmes’ return to life, and kept up the Fair. He wrote in his autobiography different kinds of Sherlockians but also ing the Basic Holmesian Library and Holmesian apocrypha a dandy idea. 50 pretense by advancing the dates of some that not long after his submission, he YEARS AGO an insight into the growth of Tracy’s wrote, “anxiously awaiting your What about copyrights? …Yes I have of the adventures to years subsequent to casually paged through the latest issue publishing efforts. The file starts on Encyclopaedia. It is amazing how all the items you mention other than 1891.” Milne wrote of Watson that “he of Vanity Fair. He was disappointed to Among John Bennett Shaw’s collection March 13, 1971 when John Bennett much you have accomplished.” In the ANGEL(sic) OF DARKNESS. Lew may be described as sound on the main see that someone else had a Holmes of periodicals featuring Sherlockian Shaw wrote to Jack Tracy to get a copy autumn of 1977 Shaw wrote, “And Feldman kept a close watch on this… facts but a little uncertain as to detail”, a parody published but soon realized that related articles is the March 8, 1952 of his booklet Conan Doyle and the when will Encyclopaedia be out - I Naturally I am anxious to assist any comment that can also be used to it was his own story. This was his first New York Times Magazine. A. A. Milne, Latter-Day Saints, noted in the March have it on order and have for some Holmesian and especially one as cre- describe Milne’s error in regard to both “free-lance contribution” (Milne 160) who is best known for creating Winnie- 1971 Baker Street Journal. Shaw time.” Finally the long awaited book ative as you.” Tracy continues after the Conan Doyle’s and Holmes’ birthdates. and earned him fifteen shillings. the-Pooh, wrote an article titled “New enclosed one dollar plus 12 cents for appeared and Shaw wrote, “Yesterday manuscript finally writing, “The Explorations in Baker Street” with the postage and requested “Any other late in the afternoon I received my Apocrypha is being typeset right now. On board the S. S. America as it sailed From 1906 – 1914 Milne was the assis- subtitle “Holmes and Watson are con- Doyle material you may issue would copy of your Encyclopaedia!!!! It will not include “The Angels of to New York, Adrian Conan Doyle read tant editor of Punch, and contributed sulted on the life of the writer they also be of interest.” In December 1971 Excellent. I spent most of last evening Darkness,” I regret to say. We decided Milne’s article. His response to the many poems and essays. In 1913 he made famous – Conan Doyle.” Shaw wrote, “I am as you may know going through it - in fact I called Jon that to delay publication of all the New York Times Magazine appeared in married Dorothy “Daphne” de noted for few things but one thing is Lellenberg’s attention to the fact that it Apocrypha until we could get ‘Angels’ the March 30, 1952 issue. He wrote Selincourt, the goddaughter of Punch “And in plain fact a doctor called that I am a most serious (ie. mad) col- was out and that it was Canonical and was unsound business. So the pub- “I have read with amusement, not owner Owen Seamen. He served in the Doyle created a private detective who lector of anything Sherlockian. The well done and valuable. Poor old Dr. lished Apocrypha will compromise unmixed with a less than complimen- British Army as a signaling officer until came to life and swallowed him up.” forthcoming deWaal bibliography lists Park, his Encyclopaedia no longer of one collection, and when ‘Angels’ tary emotion, the laborious attempt of February 1919. The following year on Milne compared Sherlock Holmes to 4900 items in English about our Cult use. Really, my congratulations on a comes available I’ll see that it’s pub- A. A. Milne to patronize the memory of August 21 his son Christopher Robin the famous fictional creations and I have at present 93.2% of them. monumental job. I will now have to lished, probably by itself. Its legal sta- a world-famous man, whose fictional Milne was born. He told his son stories Pygmalion and Frankenstein, citing So please send me ANYthing add to the books I always say to my tus is so ambiguous that once I get my creation, Sherlock Holmes, represented about a little Canadian bear at the them as having similarly “usurped the Sherlockian you do, that is done about audiences are cornerstones - De Waal, hands on the manuscript I’ll go ahead but one facet in a life that was as bril- London Zoo, whom Christopher interest due to his creator.” Milne took you or the Scion and so on.” Tracy and Baring-Gould’s ANNOTAT- and publish and let the chips fall liant in its achievements as it was renamed “Pooh.” Milne spun more sto- the opportunity of what he understood ED. Your Investiture should be where they may.” noble in its purposes…The fact that ries from those experiences and to be the centenary year of the birth of Jack Tracy kept hand written draft changed to The Encyclopaedia Milne is apparently unaware of my Christopher’s toys, adding a character Conan Doyle to write the “facts” on copies of the letters he sent to John Britannica!!” In September 1978 Shaw The Angels of Darkness: A Drama in father’s correct surname (Conan Doyle) based on his son as the human compan- Holmes and Watson. Citing Watson’s Bennett Shaw. In a December 1971 wrote, “Oh yes, did I send the update Three Acts by Arthur Conan Doyle and that even the centenary date is out ion to the forest ensemble. Winnie-the- role as Boswell, Milne wrote that the letter which foreshadowed his own of my Basic Holmes Library list? I Edited, with introduction by Peter by seven years is wholly in keeping Pooh, 1926, and The House at Pooh good doctor’s errors in dating could be future problems with his publisher included the great Encyclopaedia Blau was published by the Baker Street with an article which is out of date in Corner, 1928, are considered “master- attributed to the Jezail bullet hitting Doubleday, Tracy wrote about his which, by the way, I now have in Irregulars in cooperation with the its whole misconception.” He conclud- pieces of children’s literature.” (Christ) him not in the shoulder or leg but in Scion society. He extended an invita- Japanese!!” (Tracy received his investi- Toronto Public Library in 2001, some ed with “In the meantime, the views of He also published his collections of chil- the head. Watson realized that the mention to Shaw for membership in The ture of A Case of Identity in 1976). twenty one years after Sherlock Holmes: Mr. Milne are valuable on the subject dren’s poems, When We Were Very Young tion of a head wound would cause pity Unanswered Correspondents, writing The Published Apocrypha by Sir Arthur of Christopher Robin.” in 1924 and Now We Are Six in 1927. and sympathy he could not bear, so he “We have no membership classifica- Another interesting thread began in Conan Doyle & associated hands, He adapted Kenneth Grahame’s The consequently “transferred the wound.” tions or responsibilities, no dues, no September 1977 when Tracy wrote, Selected and Edited by Jack Tracy The third son of Conan Doyle, “the Wind in the Willows into the play Toad of This wound not only hampered his Constitution, and no problems. We “you once offered to make the Shaw (Houghton Mifflin Company Boston sometimes volcanic” (Lellenberg 227) Toad Hall in 1929. In 1922 he wrote his writing, forcing him to rely on his own have officers and the offices of Coal- Collection available to me should I 1980). Apocrypha was “dedicated, in Adrian “considered himself the guardian only detective novel The Red House hastily and possibly poorly written Scuttle, Persian Slipper and Jack Knife, ever have occasion to need it, and the great admiration to John Bennett Shaw, of his father’s literary reputation [and] Mystery, which is described as a very notes when recording their adventures, but we’re not certain who holds which time has come to ask your assistance. respected Sherlockian, keeper of the was very critical of the views and activi- Sherlockian work. He also wrote a but his medical practice as well. position… to join you need only leave A local publisher and I are planning a lumber room and The Hans Sloan(sic) ties of Sherlockian enthusiasts, especial- number of other plays and short stories. this letter Unanswered, and you limited edition of the complete of His Age.” Jack Tracy went on to ly the Baker Street Irregulars whose Milne went on to give the facts known remain a member as long as we Sherlock Holmes apocrypha, and I’m start Gaslight Publications, which pub- dogma that his father had been merely a In October of 1952, Milne had a about Holmes beginning with his remember who you are.” Tracy also in want of the following texts: Angels lished a Sherlock Holmes Monograph literary agent for Dr. Watson was anath- stroke and lived as an invalid until his birthdate, citing that “internal evi- wrote, “Thank God I’m not a collector. of Darkness (play; 1890)… ‘Angels of Series and a Conan Doyle Centennial ema to him.” (Austin 105)* death on January 31, 1956. In 1966, dence…places the date in the early I don’t own 93.2% of myself, let alone Darkness’ is probably the most diffi- Series as well as many other books. Daphne sold the film rights to Winnie Fifties, and the most authoritative of Sherlockiana… My mania is com- cult. Having never been published, The final John Bennett Shaw Basic Alan Alexander Milne was born January the Pooh to Walt Disney, who liked opinion has fixed on 1852 as the actu- mentary, which consumes nothing there’s no authoritative text, and the Holmesian Library (1993) included 18, 1882 in London. He was schooled at the stories as a young man. That same more than time and paper.” Continued on page 7 Continued on page 7

6 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 3 use to the title and character of (1851-1940) and Gustave Frohman Continued from Page 2 (1855-1930). He started his career as Sherlock Holmes. Faced with a num- 50 Years Ago a box-office clerk and by 1883 was ber of productions utilizing the title working as an independent producer and character, Charles Frohman’s solic- year the Disney Company produced “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree”. They in New York. In 1890 he organized itors soon “were vigorously hunting released three more Pooh films, the last in 1982, as well as animated television the Charles Frohman Stock Company down every little music-hall sketch series and anthologies. Their items featuring the Pooh characters are available in and opened the Empire Theatre in and playlet that was using the name an astounding range of merchandise and lead the company’s licensed merchandise 100 January 1893. As author Michael Sherlock Holmes in the title or public- in sales, surpassing Mickey and Minnie Mouse. YEARS AGO Pointer notes in The Public Life of ity.” (Pointer 24) They were successful Sherlock Holmes “American impresario in their 1901 battle against the Julie McKuras, A.S.H., B.S.I. The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections John Bennett Shaw’s notebook of press is a quarterly newsletter published by the Charles Frohman [had] a remarkable Hopkins Amusement Company’s pro- clippings for the period before 1903 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections reputation for discovering and devel- duction of “Sherlock Holmes, Detective: *For additional information regarding Adrian Conan Doyle’s tumultuous relation- which seek to promote the activities, inter- has a small photocopied article from oping theatrical talent. He helped to or The Sigh(sic) of Four” (Pointer 25) ship with the B.S.I., please refer to the Archival History of the Baker Street ests and needs of the Special Collections the New York Times. Shaw’s accompa- and Rare Books Department, University of make stars of such players as Ethel based on “The Sign of Four.” In 1902 Irregulars by Jon L. Lellenberg, nying typed note states it ran on Minnesota Libraries. Barrymore, Billie Burke, Otis Skinner the Appellate Court in Chicago upheld October 25, 1902 on page 7, column References Mail editorial correspondence c/o: and William Gillette…[Gillette] had this decision. 2. Due to the poor quality of the copy, Editor written and, under Frohman’s aus- Julie McKuras Shaw typed the content of “Play is an Austin, James Bliss. “The Family’s Counterattack.” The Quest for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Ed. Jon L. Lellenberg. Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois University Press, 1987. 13512 Granada Ave. pices, appeared in the hugely success- Apple Valley, MN 55124 Infringement” and affixed it with the Christ, Carol Tecla. “Milne, A. A.” World Book Online Americas Edition, ful Secret Service.” (17) By 1915 Charles Frohman was the 952-431-1934 photocopy. It reads: http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wbol/wbPage/na/ar/co/362560, January 27, 2002. proprietor and manager of a number 952-431-5965 Fax Lellenberg, Jon L. Irregular Memories of the ‘Thirties. New York: Fordham University Press, 1990. When Conan Doyle wrote a Sherlock of theaters in New York and London. [email protected] Play is an Infringement. So Judge Milne, A. A. It’s Too Late Now. London: Methuen and Co., Ltd., 1939. Holmes play “towards the end of ’97” He managed the careers of 28 leading Decides in the Case of Editorial Board (Carr, 107) he sent the play to Herbert stars and paid out more than $35 mil- John Bergquist, Timothy Johnson, “Sherlock Holmes, Detective.” Beerbohm Tree, the actor-manager of lion per year in salaries to the 10,000 Jon Lellenberg, Richard J. Sveum, M.D. Special to the New York Times people on his payroll. He was known Copyright © 2001 Her Majesty’s Theater, but artistic dif- University of Minnesota Library ferences prevented the two from col- as an “exceptionally fair man whose CHICAGO, October 24 – When Christopher and Barbara Roden Donate The University of Minnesota is an Equal laborating. A. P. Watt, Conan Doyle’s word was his only contract.” Opportunity Educator and Employer. the Hopkins Amusement professional representative and the (Encyclopedia.Com) Charles Frohman Company advertised the production Shaw-Tracy Letters to Sherlock Holmes man “credited with having coined the was on board the Cunard steamship “Sherlock Holmes, Detective,” it term ‘literary agent’ (Stashower 121) Lusitania as it sailed from New York Collection Continued from Page 6 attempted to lead the public to encouraged him to forward the play to on May 1, 1915. On May 7, within believe the play was the same as Charles Frohman. Conan Doyle was sight of the southern coast of Ireland, both the Encyclopaedia and Apocrypha A special thank you is extended to Barbara Roden are well-known that collaborated by A. Conan “impressed with the extraordinary the Lusitania was torpedoed by the and many Gaslight titles. 1993 also Christopher and Barbara Roden for authors, editors and publishers. They Doyle and William Gillette, power of [Frohman’s] personality” German U-Boat U-20 and sank within marked the end of the correspondence their donation of the Tracy-Shaw let- live in Ashcroft, British Columbia, according to an opinion delivered (Higham 152). Frohman in turn pre- eighteen minutes. Frohman died between Tracy and Shaw. ters to the University of Minnesota. Canada where they direct the Ash Tree by Judge Freeman in the Appellate sented the play to William Gillette. along with 1197 others. His final The file of correspondence will join the Press (supernatural fiction) and the Court to-day. “Gillette was in California at the time, words were reported to be “Why fear Tracy wrote in August 1978, “I recol- letters from Tracy that John Bennett Calabash Press (books by Sherlockians The decision was given in a suit appearing in the farewell tour of Secret death? It is the most beautiful adven- lect your asking where I found out Shaw kept, as well as the books writ- for Sherlockians) and two literary soci- brought by Charles Frohman Service, and Frohman gave him leave ture in life.” He is buried in Union about The Stonor Case (that’s “Stonor,” ten by Tracy which were a part of the eties, the Arthur Conan Doyle Society against the Hopkins Company to of absence from the cast to complete Field Cemetery in Queens, New York. not “Stoner”). It’s mentioned in the John Bennett Shaw Collection, some of and the Ghost Story Society. The restrain the latter from announcing the writing of his new play.” (Pointer biographical archives list at the end of which carry affectionate notes to Shaw Rodens’ home page can be found at or promoting the play under the 18) Gillette’s rewritten version of the Pierre Nordin’s(sic) biography. I wrote by the author. Christopher and http://www.ash-tree.bc.ca/index.html name “Sherlock Holmes.” It play, which met with Conan Doyle’s Julie McKuras, A.S.H., B.S.I. to Dame Jean Conan Doyle about it with links to their activities. was alleged that the defendant approval, debuted at the Garrick and received an extraordinary nasty company was attempting to Theatre in 1899. In addition to his Carr, John Dickson. The Life of Sir Arthur reply, categorically denying permission deceive the public, and an injunction Conan Doyle. New York: Carroll and Graf productions starring Gillette, to publish. But I am a patient man. was secured in the Circuit Court. Publishers, 1990. Frohman’s touring companies in The last of the Holmes copyrights From this order an appeal was Higham, Charles. The Adventures of Conan England featured H. A. Saintsbury as Doyle. New York: W. W. Norton and Co., expire in the year 2002. I will be only taken to the Appellate Court, and Holmes and a young Charlie Chaplin Inc. 1976. fifty-eight.” Jack Tracy never saw his Judge Freeman sustained the lower Pointer, Michael. The Public Life of Sherlock as Billy the page. fifty-eighth birthday. He died in 1996 court. Holmes. London: David and Charles, 1975. Stashower, Daniel. Teller of Tales. New York: in a traffic accident. Gillette scholar S E. Dahlinger notes Henry Holt and Company, 1999. Charles Frohman was born June 17, that Gillette had a contractual agree- 1860 in Sandusky Ohio, the youngest

ment with Conan Doyle for exclusive photo by Julie McKuras brother of theatrical managers Daniel Jack Tracy's Gaslight Publications

2 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 7 March 2002 D S O F N Volume 6 Number 1 E T Acquisitions I H R E ue Vizoskie, A.S.H., donated copies of two booklets that she compiled and edited. Teas and Toasts with the 3 Garridebs F was completed for the 10th Anniversary Picnic and Victorian Tea that is held annually by the 3 Garridebs, and it includes toasts and recipes of items that have been made for the picnics. Her second booklet, Sherlockians Aboard: S Their Adventures on and Memoirs of The Sherlock Holmes Society of London Golden Jubilee Cruise 2001, contains essays by a number of Americans and Canadians who participated in the cruise. Michael Doyle donated a copy of It Commenced with Two…, The Story of Mary Ann Doyle, written by Bonaventure Brennan, Sherlock Holmes RSM. Mr. Doyle purchased this book and had it signed by the author for presentation to the Collections. Mary Ann Doyle, COLLECTIONS the great-aunt of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is noted in this book as a companion to Catherine McAuley, founder of the order of the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. “Your merits should be publicly recognized” (STUD) Don Hobbs presented Curator Tim Johnson with a copy of the Lithuanian magazine Veidas, which carried an article titled “Views of a Maniac Collector” and an accompanying picture of Don with Dorothy Rowe Shaw. While pursuing his own maniac collecting of foreign editions several years ago, Don was asked to write an article which he titled “Collecting Sherlock Contents Christopher and Barbara Roden Donate Holmes.” This ran in a different Lithuanian magazine in April 1997. The article proved so popular that Don was asked to do a follow-up for Veidas. Christopher and Barbara Shaw-Tracy Letters to Sherlock Holmes Roden Donate Shaw- Collections C. C. Williamsen donated a copy of his book Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of The Dozen Doctored Gutties. This is his first Tracy Letters to Sherlock Sherlock Holmes novel. The author lives in Minneapolis. Holmes Collections By Richard J. Sveum, M.D., B.S.I.

Remembrances 8 photo from Richard Sveum Richard photo from Richard Sveum, Barbara and Christopher Roden at the 2002 B.S.I. Cocktail Party Continued on page 6

8 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 1