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September 2000 D S O F N Volume 4 Number 3 E T Remembrances I H R In supporting the Sherlock Holmes Collections, many donors have made contributions either in honor or in memory of special per- E sons. Due to the number of people who made donations in Mac McDiarmid’s memory, we will list them as one group. F

IN HONOR OF FROM Anonymous Ted Friedman Nancy Beiman Laura Kuhn Dr. Howard Burchell Richard M. Caplan Bob Burr Laura Kuhn Sherlock Holmes Mark Conrad Laura Kuhn COLLECTIONS "The Insoluble Puzzles" Laura Kuhn Carole McCormick Laura Kuhn “Your merits should be publicly recognized” (STUD) Austin McLean Charles Press Bob Thomalen Paul Singleton 221Beach Alexian Gregory photo by Julie McKuras photo by Peter Blau, Mac McDiarmid, Michael Whelan Contents Some Personal Recollections of the Early August 1998 Founders' Footprints Conference IN MEMORY OF FROM Some Personal Days of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Errett W. McDiarmid Cheryl Anderson, Thomas Arlander, Pauline Cartford, Mary Cermak, Recollections of the Early By Andrew Malec, B.S.I. Susan Davern, Wendell and Marjorie DeBoer, Frank and Genevieve Di Gangi, Days of the Sherlock Pj Doyle, Karen Ellery, Joan Fabian, Aurelio and Marana Floria, Paul and Ruth Holmes Collections am pleased to be afforded this undergraduate days. I attended my initial Fonstad, Lisl Gaal, Alma Gaona, Belen Gaona-Keithley, Thomas and Lynda Garnett, opportunity to draw together some Norwegian Explorers meeting in 1975 Dennis and Caroline Gebhard, David Hammer, Robert Holloway, Karen Hoyle, 1 of my earliest memories of the (on the occasion of John Bennett Shaw’s Margaret S. Hubbs, Marjorie Jambor, Carol Johnson, Hugh Klein, Janice Dolejki, Idevelopment of the Sherlock first visit to Minnesota) but did not meet Bobbi Masquelier, Richard and Rosemary McHugh, D. E. Meyer, Robert Minish, 100 Years Ago Holmes Collections, as well as some of Mac though we had exchanged corre- Forrest G. Moore, Frederick and Lynda Morlock, Terry Mueller, Merlin and 2 my encounters with E.W. McDiarmid spondence—he was in the hospital recov- Gladys Nelson, Susan Nelson, Carol Pavlik, David and Margaret Peterson, ("Mac") and others who played vital roles ering from a heart attack. In those days Michael and Janice Pluta, Laura Rice, Lucy C. Robertson, Albert and Julia 50 Years Ago during this period. Rosenblatt, Sally Ruvelson, Edward Stanford, Richard J. Sveum, Mabel Thompson, Though I relate these Karen Titrud, Jane Von Hagen, Judith Brown-Wescott, 3 events from a person- Arthur Conan Doyle Leslie S. Klinger From the President al perspective, I am in Dennis France Julie McKuras fact recording the Dennis France J. L. Weiner 4 accomplishments of Capt. Wiley Sampson Robert F. Cairo, Jr. Acquisitions others who generally Dorothy Rowe Shaw Karen Ellery chose to downplay 4 their significant con- Musings tributions to the beginnings of what 5 has become the largest Sherlock For any inquiries contact: An Update from Holmes collection in Timothy J. Johnson, Curator the Collections the world. During 612-624-3552 or

most of the time in photo – John Bennett Shaw's Collection [email protected] 6 question I was more Andrew Malec and Mac McDiarmid, July 1983 Using the Sherlock an observer and ben- Sherlock Holmes Collections Holmes Collections Suite 111, Elmer L. Andersen Library eficiary of their tremendous labors than the Iraldi collection was housed in Walter University of Minnesota 8 an active participant. Holmes was lost Library under the supervision of Karen 222 21st Ave. S. without his Boswell and they, too deserve Nelson Hoyle, Curator of the Kerlan and Minneapolis, MN 55455 E.W. McDiarmid: a chronicler. Hess collections. I began to do volunteer photo by Julie McKuras Telephone: 612-624-7526 A Friend To All work with the collection but it cannot be E.W. Ziebarth, "Sigerson" Mac McDiarmid, Bryce L. Crawford, Jr. FAX: 612-626-9353 Who Knew Him Three of the Founders of the Norwegian Explorers My first indication that the University of said my endeavors then amounted to November 1998 9 Minnesota Library was demonstrating much. Timothy J. Johnson, Curator special interest in Sherlock Holmes came A McDiarmid Bibliography when I read of the acquisition of the Mac and I eventually met and kept in Mailing list corrections requested— 10 James C. Iraldi collection in The touch as I became active in the Explorers. Because of the high cost of returned newsletters, Minnesota Daily, in 1974, during my Indeed, it was largely due to his influ- we would appreciate being informed of changes Remembrances of address or other corrections. 12 Continued on page 10 12 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 1 incalculable", (Bell 45) and even 12) The 1955 publication of Irving Early Days of The Sherlock Holmes attempted to identify Jack the Ripper Wallace’s The Fabulous Originals, at the time of the crimes. Bell which included a chapter about Joseph Collections received numerous medical honors, Bell called "The Real Sherlock work by F.D. Steele, and the "particu- achieving the position of President of Holmes", prompted Adrian Conan larly noteworthy … William Gillette the Royal College of Surgeons, and Doyle to threaten legal action against material, which is primarily from the was well liked by patients, fellow fac- Wallace. Adamant in his quest to Gillette estate." Stern concluded with 100YEARS AGO ulty and students. have his father seen as the true model for Holmes, Adrian reacted negatively the opinion "the scope and quality of the Hench Collection could probably The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections One of those students was Arthur to Hesketh Pearson’s references to Bell John Bennett Shaw filed a copy of not be duplicated today." Though this is a quarterly newsletter published by the Conan Doyle. He was chosen by Bell in his 1943 Conan Doyle, His Life and Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections "The Making of Sherlock Holmes", was early in Stern’s career, and he to be his out-patient clerk, allowing Art, and called the book a "fakeogra- which seek to promote the activities, inter- written by A.M., in his notebook of phy", according to Jon Lellenberg. would subsequently participate in the ests and needs of the Special Collections him close observation of the doctor’s and Rare Books Department, University of periodical articles from the period Adrian had helped shape John formation of some equally important

interaction with patients. Bell was photo – John Bennett Shaw's Collection Minnesota Libraries. before 1903. In the Vol. 14, 1900 collections, it is still an indication of known for his powers of deduction, Dickson Carr’s 1949 The Life of Sir issue of The Young Man, A.M. noted the impression it made at the time. July 1983 Mail editorial correspondence c/o: impressing upon students the need to Arthur Conan Doyle, and in the same "Adventures on the Air" Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle's statement: Editor use all of their senses in making a fashion, insisted that William Baring- John Bennett Shaw, Austin McLean, Julie McKuras "Sherlock Holmes…is the literary The Hench bequest received consider- Edith Meiser, Mac McDiarmid 13512 Granada Ave. diagnosis. As Ely Liebow states, "Joe Gould review with him the introducto- embodiment of my memory of a able publicity among Holmes enthusi- Apple Valley, MN 55124 Bell gave Doyle the scientific method, ry chapters of The Annotated Sherlock 952-431-1934 Professor of Medicine at Edinburgh asts but not as well known is that cer- unenviable task of editing my text for the voice, the stoic face, but most of Holmes, excluding any reference to 952-431-5965 Fax University". tain valuable items listed in the 1966 the exhibit brochure, a composition [email protected] all the true touchstone, the aspect of Wallace’s book. He sent Baring-Gould Metzdorf appraisal did not come with replete with schoolboy howlers and Holmes that instantly and forever a manuscript, "The Real Sherlock Editorial Board That professor was Dr. Joseph Bell, a the rest of the collection in 1978. written in what he accurately described raised him above all other detectives Holmes", which was originally intend- Bruce Southworth, Dr. Richard Sveum, fourth generation physician in a family Included among the missing were two as my "turgid prose." This work, by Timothy Johnson and made him more recognizable than ed but not used as the introduction to known throughout Edinburgh, leaves from the manuscript to The the way, would have justifiably lapsed almost any other literary creation: the Pierre Nordon’s Conan Doyle. This Copyright © 2000 Scotland. He was born there on Dec. Hound of the Baskervilles, the full into permanent obscurity had it not University of Minnesota Library ingenious, insouciant, lightning essay and Adrian’s correspondence are 2, 1837, and was the eldest son of Dr. part of the Baring-Gould papers, manuscript to the non-Holmes story been posted on the Internet by a cur- The University of Minnesota is an Equal deduction…" (10) Opportunity Educator and Employer. Benjamin and Cecilia Bell. He attend- donated to the University of "The Horror of the Heights," a number rent incumbent of Special Collections. ed the University of Edinburgh, "the of significant early Arthur Conan Doyle John Jenson was much involved in the In May, 1892, Conan Doyle acknowl- Minnesota. In his pamphlet "The most celebrated medical school in the letters, and some 70 additional sketch- physical mounting of this and subse- edged that Bell was his model for the Real Sherlock Holmes", E. W. world" (Liebow 40) and graduated in es and drawings by Frederic Dorr quent exhibits, in the early days bene- Great Detective. Bell, a modest man McDiarmid questions the distinct pos- 1859. He became house surgeon, and Steele. These items were subsequently fiting from the invaluable input of who bore a tremendous physical sibility that "…it must have occurred What I hope is apparent from the in 1863, was appointed assistant sur- discovered in a bank vault and deliv- library assistant Kathy Tezla. resemblance to Holmes, stated fondly to him (Adrian) that Baring-Gould above account is the selfless manner geon to his father and to Dr. Patrick H. ered to the University in 1983 courtesy that Doyle had "…made a great deal might use it to help him in his cam- which characterized the involvement Watson. During a diphtheria epidemic of the Henchs’s son John Hench—and Mac meanwhile was busy with out of very little, and his warm paign to have his father universally of many of those who made such in 1864, Bell contracted the disease, thanks in large part to some quiet attempts to secure funding to allow remembrance of one of his old teach- accepted as Sherlock Holmes." significant contributions to the early which left him with a high pitched diplomacy on the part of Explorer Jack the collections to be catalogued and ers has coloured the picture." (Carr (McDiarmid 6) development of the Sherlock Holmes voice and jerky gait. In 1865, he mar- D. Key, our man in Rochester. otherwise made accessible. Equally 73). But others saw the same resem- collections at the University of ried Edith Murray, but their happy involved with these efforts was the late blance. In an April 5, 1893 letter to Dr. Joseph Bell died in his beloved Minnesota. I was fortunate to have union was short-lived; Edith died nine But what did come in 1978 was more Ronald M. Hubbs whose wise counsel, Conan Doyle, fellow University of Edinburgh on October 4, 1911, and been in the right place at the right years later. than enough to get started. The first personal integrity, and widely-respect- Edinburgh alumnus Robert Louis his funeral was one of the largest the time but it was people like Mac, exhibit was mounted and a related ed recommendations were crucial fac- Stevenson wrote "Only the one thing city had seen. Was he the only model Austin McLean and Ronald Hubbs Bell was the editor of The Edinburgh brochure was printed entitled "Arthur tors in obtaining the grants. Mac troubles me: can this be my old friend for Sherlock Holmes? The author of who were responsible for first bringing Medical Journal from 1873 through Conan Doyle: an Exhibit from the always acknowledged this, but Hubbs Joe Bell?" (Nordon 25) this featured 100 Year piece, A. M., the collections here and then ensuring 1896. He wrote a number of articles wrote of Dr. Bell "…however clever Mary Kahler and Philip S. Hench preferred to avoid the limelight even something could be done with them and authored two books, Manual of Collection July 18-September 30, more than our Sigerson. Their joint In the years to come, Conan Doyle’s the professor may be, it is not likely once they arrived. Patient efforts Surgical Operations and Notes on 1979". This exhibit set the pattern for success led to, among other things, my biographers would place varying that the world would have heard of behind the scenes yielded tremendous Surgery for Nurses, the latter reflecting most of my subsequent work with the gainful employment with Special degrees of emphasis on Bell’s influence him without the genius of the novelist, dividends, laying the groundwork for his life-long interest in bettering the collections and my relationship with Collections between 1979 and 1981 upon the character of Holmes. Jessie and it is due to Dr. Doyle, even more all that has been subsequently field of nursing. He was very religious, Mac and others at the Library. during which time an initial catalogue M. E. Saxby, a friend of Bell’s, wrote than to Dr. Bell, that we have such a achieved. This modesty was especial- had a good sense of humor, and dili- Whereas Mac remained in overall was prepared and numerous other her own recollection of the physician’s fascinating character as Sherlock ly true of Mac. He was usually happy gently kept a journal. He had an supervision of cataloging and develop- projects undertaken. More expansive kind nature to "…show his absolute Holmes in modern fiction." to take part in the work and fun but interest in criminal psychology and ment of the collections I worked on accounts of these and other adven- unlikeness, save in one respect, to let others take the credit. He played handwriting analysis, noting "The Continued on page 8 the technical side with Austin McLean tures, however, must be deferred to Conan Doyle’s masterpiece." (Saxby Julie McKuras the game for its own sake, perhaps the importance of the infinitely little is and John Jenson, the Special another time. truest indicator of a follower of the Collections Curator and Associate master detective Sherlock Holmes. Curator respectively. Austin had the

2 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 11 A McDiarmid Bibliography Business Law at the University of December 10, 1963, after a two year ill- Chicago from 1920 through 1950. He ness. The Two-Shilling Award was ac McDiarmid is well Edgar W. Smith. 34 – 43. Foreword by E. W. McDiarmid. became interested in both the BSI and bestowed upon him posthumously in known for his work with "Epithets In The Canon". The Baker "The Priory School: The Case of the Edgar W. Smith’s Profile by Gaslight after 1964. When Julian Wolff wrote of the Sherlock Holmes Street Journal. Vol. 19, #3 Classic Case". The Baker Street reading Vincent Starrett’s "Books Alive" Christ’s passing, he stated "We have lost MCollections and with the (September 1969). 144-148. Dozen, edited by Pj Doyle and column in the Chicago Tribune. In one of our immortals." Norwegian Explorers. Following is a "Are There Others? Sherlock Holmes’s E. W. McDiarmid. New York: 1944 he began corresponding with listing of his writings in books and Opinion of Watson". Cultivating Congdon & Weed, Inc. 1989. YEARS AGO Starrett, who invited him to join the BSI. Christ’s letters to Vincent Starrett are periodicals. Sherlock Holmes, edited by NOTE: The 1987 hardcover 50 Christ proved himself an esteemed part of the Vincent Starrett Collection at Bryce L. Crawford, Jr. and Joseph B. edition of The Baker Street Dozen Sherlockian scholar in the years to the University of Minnesota. In 1991, Mac McDiarmid donated his "Salute to Sherlock Holmes", E.W. Connors. La Crosse, WI: Sumac does not include this essay. come, contributing to The Baker Street Sherlockian books to the Sherlock McDiarmid and Theodore C. Press, 1978. "Sherlock Holmes’s Later Career". Journal and Sherlock Holmes Journal, as Julie McKuras Holmes Collections. Among the books Blegen. Sherlock Holmes: Master The Norwegian Explorers of Minnesota. Studies in Scarlet. Dubuque, IA: well as with his other writings. and booklets in his library was "The Detective, La Crosse, WI: Sumac Press, 1982. Gasogene Press, 1989. 147 – 153. Missing Three" written by Jay Finley edited by Theodore C. Blegen and "The Case of the Missing Text". Baker "Howard Haycraft, 1905 – 1991". He also wrote for the Chicago Tribune Christ, Alias Langdale Pike. It was E. W. McDiarmid. La Crosse, WI: Street Miscellanea, Winter 1982. Explorations. December, 1991. 8. column "A Line O’Type or Two" under printed in a small 4-page pamphlet Sumac Press, 1952. 1–6. "Bibliographical Note: ‘The Red-Headed the names "…J. A. Finch and Langdale titled Christmas 1950, and published by "Professor Sherlock Holmes, Ph.D." "The Real Sherlock Holmes". La Crosse, League’." Explorations. Pike whom he referred to as his Christ’s own Fanlight Press, which he Exploring Sherlock Holmes, edited WI: Sumac Press, 1984. March, 1992. 8-9. ‘agents’." (Terras 48) He authored a created for his Sherlockian writings. by E. W. McDiarmid and Medical Casebook of Doctor Arthur A Basic Holmesian Library. E. W. number of pamphlets under his pseudo- His article begins: Theodore C. Blegen. La Crosse, WI: Conan Doyle, by Alvin E. Rodin McDiarmid and Peter Blau. nyms, including "Flashes by Fanlight", Sumac Press, 1957. and Jack D. Key. Malabar, FL: Minneapolis: No Litter Press, 1995. "Gleanings by Gaslight", "Soundings in In 1935, in introducing a play "Reichenbach and Beyond". BSJ Robert E. Krieger Pub. Co., 1984. The Saga of a Sherlockian Scion Society. the Saga", "Sherlock’s Anniversaries" and edited by Vincent Starrett, Frederic Christmas Annual, 1957, edited by Foreword by E. W. McDiarmid. Minneapolis: The Norwegian "Finch’s Final Fling". Two of his works Dorr Steele wrote that he had The Sherlock Holmes Crossword, by Explorers. 1995. were published in 1947, and they illustrated 29 of the 33 Sherlock Albert and Julia Rosenblatt. remain milestones in Sherlockian schol- Holmes tales which were published La Crosse, WI: Sumac Press, 1985. Julie McKuras arship. His An Irregular Chronology of from 1903 onward. Edgar Smith’s Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street, pub- Baker Street Inventory (1945) lished by Fanlight House, is an ordering lists 26 of those 33 titles, under of the Holmes stories. An Irregular Early Days of The Sherlock Holmes Collections Continued from Page 1 Steele’s name. The discrepancy Guide to Sherlock Holmes of Baker need no longer exist, for, due to the Street was the first index to the Canon. ence, in addition to encouragement School, the year the Explorers antholo- A small delegation from the Library alertness of my good friends in the JournalPhoto compliments of The Baker Street This was published by Argus J. Finley Christ from rare book librarians Austin gy Cultivating Sherlock Holmes was went down to Rochester, Minnesota to photographic laboratory of the Books/Pamphlet House., and was an McLean, John Jenson, and Carol published. Philip Hench was among pick up the most important items University of Chicago, seven new idea proposed by Christopher Morley as Urness, that I chose to pursue the dedicatees of this book, which in while I waited impatiently during an Sherlockian drawings have turned early as 1938, according to Lellenberg. References: Librarianship as a profession and thus some ways represented the culmina- seemingly endless Library School class up…The drawings were published Jay Finley Christ devised the four-letter Christ, Jay Finley. "The Missing Three". Chicago: The Fanlight Press, 1950. was on hand for what was to come. tion of the wooing process which before I could rush over to see them in The Louisville Courier – reference key to the Canon, still in use Journal. Lellenberg, Jon. "Hounds Bounding from a Yellow brought the Hench treasures to (by now the Holmes materials had today. That same year, he was the first Fog: The Unleashing of Jay Finley Christ". During one of my visits to Mac I asked Minnesota. Events moved swiftly after moved to Wilson Library). Later John to teach a collegiate course devoted to Chicago, 9 Oct. 1993. him about a reference to the that for Mrs. Hench had decided to Jenson and I picked up the rest of the Christ goes on to identify these draw- the Master Detective. His six sessions Lellenberg, Jon, ed. Irregular Crises of the Late Norwegian Explorer archives which I donate the collection to the University collection and I took particular satis- ings, "one for each of the seven tales." were titled "Sherlock Holmes of Baker ‘Forties. New York: The Baker Street Irregulars, 1999. had come across in an essay by Philip thus fufilling what evidently had been faction in writing long letters to vari- Those missing from Mr. Smith’s invento- Street". ry were "The Sussex Vampire", "The Lellenberg, Jon, ed. Irregular Proceedings of the Hench. I inquired why the archives the intention of her husband, who ous correspondents describing it: Mid ‘Forties. New York: The Baker Street Three Garridebs", and "The Illustrious had not been deposited with the passed away in 1965. Soon I was sit- despite its significance, it was all but Christ was a member of The Sherlock Irregulars, 1995. Library and was given to understand ting in Mac’s office reading with grow- unknown to the Sherlockian world at Client". Holmes Society of London, Chicago’s Lellenberg, Jon, ed. Irregular Records of the Early that it was being held back in connec- ing excitement an inventory and large. The Hounds of the Baskerville (sic), and ‘Forties. New York: Fordham University Press, 1991. tion with the hoped-for eventual appraisal of the collection prepared by In Irregular Proceedings of the Mid one of the early members of Hugo’s ‘Forties, Jon Lellenberg describes J. Rabe, W. T., ed. 1961 S’ian Who’s Who and acquisition of a notable Holmes collec- Robert F. Metzdorf in 1966. Detailed The Hench collection was appraised Companions. He was instrumental in What’s What. Ferndale, MI: OLD SOLDIERS Finley Christ as "…one of the BSI’s pil- tion assembled by Hench and his wife were such splendors as four copies of by the antiquarian dealer Peter L. founding and participating in the early OF BAKER STREET, U.S.A., 1961. Mary. I further gathered that this Beeton’s Christmas Annual for 1887, Stern in January, 1979. In a letter lars in the late ‘Forties and ‘Fifties, and years of The Illustrious Clients of Terras, Donald J., ed. Hugo’s Companions effort had been quietly underway for a three copies of the even more elusive accompanying the appraisal Stern was one of its greatest contributors to the Indianapolis as well. In 1949, he Chicago. Evanston, IL: Windy City Press, 1999. number of years. first separate 1888 edition of A Study fulsome in his praise of the Henchs’s Writings About the Writings." (108). received his shilling and investiture of Born in 1884, Christ was a Professor of Wolff, Julian, ed. "Stand with Me Here Upon the in Scarlet, and many other rarities too accomplishment, noting the runs of "The Final Problem". He died on Terrace…". The Baker Street Journal. Volume The time shifts to 1978, shortly after I numerous to mention here. first editions, the "high quality" manu- 14, Number 1 (1964): 54. had entered the University’s Library script material, the "outstanding" art-

10 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 3 From the President E.W. McDiarmid: A Friend To All Who Knew Him

ased on a spoken appreciation next meeting and timidly introduced In early May of this year, Inez and I were he Annual Membership Curator Tim Johnson presented the delivered at the Annual Meeting myself to the esteemed former dean, looking forward to a trip to Switzerland Meeting of the Friends of the Volunteer of the Year Award, "With our of the Friends of the Sherlock who immediately put me at ease with to attend the Millennium Congress of Sherlock Holmes Collections Canonical Gratitude for Keeping Holmes Collections at the his gracious manner. I was so grateful Holmesian Societies. After a twenty-five Ttook place on August 2, 2000 Forever Green the Collections of the B University of Minnesota on August 2, 2000. that this learned, accomplished man year wait, I was finally going to see in the new Elmer L. Andersen Library, Master", to Lucy Brusic. The State of would treat a novice like me as a col- Reichenbach Falls, which Mac himself with a reception held in the Givens the Collections Address was given by In Pj Doyle’s moving eulogy, in Andrew league from the start. The stories of had never visited. Our high spirits were Conference Suite. Several Friends were Tim Johnson who announced plans to Malec’s informative article in this issue, other Norwegian Explorers’ introduc- dampened when we heard of Mac’s pass- given a tour of the underground stor- establish the Errett W. McDiarmid and in the various reminiscences deliv- tions to Mac are remarkably similar. ing only days before we were due to age area where the Sherlock Holmes Curatorship for the Sherlock Holmes ered at the annual meeting of the leave. Fortunately, though, the timing of Collections is kept. Collections. A Special Tribute to E. W. Sherlock Holmes Collections, a constant I was fortunate to join the Norwegian events gave me an opportunity to pay a McDiarmid was delivered by Pj Doyle, theme is the modesty of the man that Explorers at a time when Mac was seek- special tribute to our fallen mentor. As The Business Meeting started with a Julie McKuras, John Bergquist, J. many of us would come to know and ing contributions to the Explorers' third we listened to Pj Doyle give her eulogy review of our mission to support the Randolph Cox and Timothy Johnson. University of Minnesota Libraries and cherish as "Mac." This scholarly man of anthology. I hesitantly submitted my to Mac at his memorial service, mere Photo by Julie McKuras great accomplishment had a trait of true fledgling piece of Sherlockian scholar- hours before our plane was to take off, our goal to become the world center Tim Johnson and Lucy Brusic The meeting ended with our traditional nobility, the gift of treating others far less ship and was thrilled when Mac enthusi- the idea came to me to leave a memento for the study of Sherlock Holmes and auction, which raised $900 for the accomplished as fellow comrades. astically accepted it for publication. Just of him at Reichenbach. After the service related subjects. We sadly noted the McDiarmid Curatorship. I want to Committee presented the slate of can- as he had graciously accepted me as a I told Pj of my plans, and she generously death of Friends Dennis France, E.W. thank everyone who attended and didates and the membership approved I first met Mac in early 1978. As a recent fellow member, he had graciously gave me a copy of the eulogy. McDiarmid and Dorothy Shaw since helped us celebrate our most successful for officers: President Richard Sveum, graduate of the University of Minnesota accepted me as a fellow contributor. I, as our last meeting. We then reported on year and our new home in the VP Ruth Berman, Secretary Julie and novice Sherlock Holmes enthusiast, a novice scholar, was overjoyed to be Some days later, I stood at the very spot new business. Our current member- McKuras and Treasurer Timothy Andersen Library. ship stands at 325, an increase from I had done some research to determine appearing in a casebound, fine-print edi- above the "dreadful cauldron" where Johnson. The 2000 Friends Board will whether the Twin Cities had a scion tion alongside luminaries much my Holmes and Moriarty had waged their last year. The Finance report noted a Richard J. Sveum, M.D. include: John Bergquist, Judy Ham, society of the Baker Street Irregulars. I senior such as Mac, Bryce Crawford, Jr., titanic struggle. Inez and the rest of our fund balance of $23,100.03 in the Jamie Hubbs, Allen Mackler, Mike [email protected] John Bennett Shaw Fund and an acqui- had come upon a years-old reference to E.W. Ziebarth, Ronald Hubbs, Joseph international group had gone ahead McKuras, and Bruce Southworth. Our the Norwegian Explorers of Minnesota Connors, and John Bennett Shaw. toward the inn at the top of the falls. I sition budget of $3,617.06 from the special thanks go to Inez Bergquist for Philip S. Hench Endowment. Editor that mentioned the contact as one E.W. lingered, and alone with the swirling completing a three year term serving McDiarmid. Dr. McDiarmid? Professor Over the years Mac’s quiet enthusiasm mist and roaring torrent, I carefully Julie McKuras reported on the on the Friends Board. Newsletter. The Nominating McDiarmid? Dean McDiarmid?, I and gentle encouragement helped wedged my copies of Pj’s eulogy and the thought to myself with some trepidation. change for me what might have been program from the memorial service merely a passing interest into what has behind the white star that marks the spot When the Minneapolis Star published an grown into a fulfilling life-long avoca- of the struggle. I would like to think that entertaining article in January, 1978, tion. For that I’ll always be in his debt. Mac would have been pleased. about a Norwegian Explorers meeting at the U of MN Campus Club, I learned The last time I saw Mac was at the I have read that death can be compared Acquisitions that Professor McDiarmid was indeed Norwegian Explorers’ annual dinner last with a stone that has fallen into a pool. still the leader of the group that he had December. My wife, Inez, and I were for- The stone itself sinks from view, but it co-founded in the Forties. I mustered tunate to be seated at the same table sends out ripples that can spread far n the spirit of collectors such as Laura Kuhn of Allen Park, MI donated One mystery? Who donated the pam- my courage and wrote him a letter care- with Mac and Bryce Crawford, Jr., a fel- from their source. The ripples of scholar- John Bennett Shaw and Mac a number of playbills and newspaper phlet "The Adventure of the Ignoble fully listing my qualifications: my low co-founder of the Explorers. I was ship and genuine friendship that Mac McDiarmid, individuals continue clippings. Bachelor" by A. Conan Doylie. There Norwegian ancestry, my status as an touched as Mac, ever the gracious com- sent out will continue to energize and Ito donate materials to the was no identification with the pamphlet. alumnus of the U of M, and my knowl- panion, reminded Bryce of my own nurture the Norwegian Explorers and Sherlock Holmes Collections. The uncorrected proof of The Sherlock edge of the Canon. He promptly wrote modest contributions to the literature of the entire Sherlockian World as long as It is with their help that the Collections Holmes Triviography and Quiz Book by Jennie Paton's audio-visual collection me a cordial reply, stating that he would Holmes. (Editor’s Note: John Bergquist’s at least one Sherlockian strives to keep strive toward the goal of becoming the Kathleen Kaska was recently donated by has started to arrive, as noted in Tim be glad to add my name to the mailing "Holmes, Watson, and Wine" appeared green the memory of the Master. world center for the study of Sherlock the publisher, Taylor Publishing Johnson's column. We will have more list and that the only qualification for in Cultivating Sherlock Holmes, a 1978 Holmes. Company. information on this in a subsequent membership was "a true interest in the publication of the Norwegian Explorers.) John Bergquist issue. exploits of the Master." I attended the

Julie McKuras

4 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 9 100 Years Ago Continued from Page 2 Musings

In May of this year, the PBS program References: t is impossible to convey every- world’s largest collection of Mac. Two of Mac’s daughters, Anne "MYSTERY!" presented, as noted on Bell, Dr. Joseph. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes." Baker Street Journal, Vol. 2, #1 (1947): 45-49. thing that was special about Mac Sherlockiana. We hope that the pass- and Mary, and his grandson Jim Deleo their website, "a two-part drama based Blathwayt, Raymond. "A Talk with Dr. Conan Doyle". The Bookman May 1892: 50-51. McDiarmid. He spoke little of his ing of years will not dim the memory and family, joined us. It was with Carr, John Dickson. The Life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. New York: Carroll & Graf, 2nd edition, 1990. on Dr. Bell’s previously unknown Lellenberg, Jon L. The Quest for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Carbondale and Edwardsville: Iown accomplishments, and for of the man who guided the Collections delight that Anne McDiarmid showed undercover work, recently discovered Southern University Press, 1987. many, it is only after Mac’s passing that with a steady hand. us what she brought to keep Mac’s in private letters and papers and Liebow, Ely M. Dr. Joe Bell, Model for Sherlock Holmes. Bowling Green: Bowling Green University we learned how diverse those accom- great-granddaughter Kristiana busy; a brought dramatically to life on Murder Popular Press, 1982. plishments were. Mac was a librarian, John Bergquist’s article, taken from his Winnie-the-Pooh coloring book. Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock McDiarmid, E. W. The Real Sherlock Holmes. La Crosse, WI: Sumac Press, 1984. author and scholar, co-founder of a oral presentation made at the Annual Winnie is wearing a deerstalker, and so Saxby, Jessie M. E. Joseph Bell, An Appreciation By An Old Friend. Edinburgh and London: Oliphant, Holmes…Scriptwriter David Pirie notes Anderson and Ferrier, 1913. scion society, and bibliophile, to name Friends meeting last month, discusses begins the next generation of that Murder Rooms is ‘based on a true Wallace, Irving. The Fabulous Originals. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1955. some of his accomplishments. We have the man behind Mac’s titles, and the McDiarmid-inspired Sherlockians. story. It has been known for a long tried to cover each of these aspects with role he played in helping many discov- Tim Johnson, in his Update on the time that Joseph Bell…was a model for our choices in articles this issue. er the joys of being a Sherlockian. For Collections, gives our readers a glimpse Sherlock Holmes. What is not so well our 50 Year Article, we’ve chosen at his vision for the Collections, a known is that – alongside his medical Andrew Malec has written of the build- McDiarmid’s personal copy of J. Finley vision that I hope we can all share and work – Bell was carrying out secret ing of the Sherlock Holmes Collections, Christ’s "The Missing Three". Our 100 make possible. investigations for the Crown’." and those who played important roles. Year Old Article about Dr. Joseph Bell Mac’s leadership in the Norwegian is one of the earliest written references So, in one issue we have tried to touch Explorers, interest in Holmes, and to the man who was the model for upon the librarian, the author and position with the library enabled him Sherlock Holmes; Mac’s "The Real scholar, the co- founder of a 52 year- to attract Sherlockian collections and Sherlock Holmes" is one of the old scion society, and the bibliophile. collectors. Mac was instrumental in references. We were fortunate to have Mac obtaining the Hench library in 1978. McDiarmid with us for so many years, Austin McLean, former Curator of Richard Sveum has written of the and hope that we can carry with us the Special Collections and Rare Books, recent Annual Meeting of the Friends memory of what might have been his Using the Sherlock Holmes Collections still speaks with excitement of the drive of the Sherlock Holmes Collections. best gift; true friendship. with Mac and Bryce Crawford, Jr. to We were pleased to have special visi- Rochester, Minnesota to see Hench’s tors Paul Smedegaard and Fred and Julie McKuras ormer police detective Steve of The Great Alkali Plainsmen, visited collection. Austin recently described Sunnie Levin present with the Robinson of Gilbert, Arizona The Sherlock Holmes Collections Mac as "the key" in amassing the McDiarmid family as we remembered has turned his investigative and were given a tour by Curator Fskills to Vincent Starrett. Tim Johnson. Steve recently spent five days at the Elmer L. Andersen Library working on Angelo Barratta and Laura a comprehensive bibliography of Leigh Mason, of Phoenix, Vincent Starrett’s works, including Arizona, took time out from magazine and newspaper articles, and their Minnesota vacation to is considering a future biography of meet Tim Johnson and tour Starrett. Steve hopes that collectors of the Collections. Starrett materials will contact him, in hopes that they are able to provide him with additional bibliographical information on the newspaper and magazine articles. Steve can be con- tacted at 170 E. Guadalupe Rd., #144, Gilbert, AZ 85234, or by email at [email protected]

On June 29, Larry and Ann Koppers of Leawood, Kansas, former members Photo by Julie McKuras Photo by

Ann and Larry Koppers, with John Bennett Shaw's file Photo by Julie McKuras on the Great Alkali Plainsmen Paul Smedegaard, Tim Johnson, Fred and Sunnie Levin August 2, 2000

8 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 An Update From the Collections

t the Annual Meeting of the to create an endowed position, "The I met Mac for the first time in the early The memory was revived the day I came Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Errett W. McDiarmid Curator of the 1980s, while in library school here at the to interview for this position. Early in the Collections, I presented my Sherlock Holmes Collections," collected University. I was in a class on academic morning I was introduced to the staff of A"State of the Collections" $1,722 in memorial monies from the librarianship, taught by David Special Collections and during those address. Here, in abbreviated form, are McDiarmid family, received a first "lead" Berninghausen. During the class, I kept pleasantries my eye caught sight of some- the address highlights. estate planning gift from an anonymous seeing a man, moving almost ethereally thing on a far shelf. It was this--a desk donor of $25,000, and planned future through the stacks visible through the nameplate that read "E. W. McDiarmid." I am pleased to report that the state of the mailings announcing the endowment open door. Berninghausen, aware of the I knew, in a sense, that I had come full Collections is excellent. Since our campaign and inviting contributions. movement, finally commented: "That's circle and would again make a connec- August, 1999 meeting, we successfully You will be hearing more in the days and Mac McDiarmid, former University tion with that ethereal man of the stacks. moved most of the collection from months ahead about our efforts to estab- Librarian, who's interested in Sherlock Wilson Library to our new home in lish this endowed chair in honor and Holmes. We have a Holmes collection The reunion was short and sweet. I will Andersen Library, beginning in late memory of "Mac". and I believe he's working on it." There forever treasure those moments of reintro- September 1999 and finishing in early was a hint of envy or admiration in duction at the 1998 conference, the visits, March 2000. Some of the memorabilia, Finally, let me report that it was an Berninghausen's voice, but I couldn't the hushed conversation about the some framed pieces, movie posters, and honor and privilege to have members quite make out the connection. (Mary Collections during an event at Eastcliff file cabinets containing the Shaw corre- of the McDiarmid family present at McDiarmid informed me, after I shared (where Mac had the chance to meet my spondence are yet to be moved. We are the Annual Meeting of the Friends of these comments during the Annual wife), and that wonderful dinner with in the process of resizing shelving to the Sherlock Holmes Collections. Meeting, that Mac and Berninghausen Mac and Bryce at his condo and the lin- accommodate quarto and folio items and Mac meant so much to the were close friends and often played golf gering discussion after dinner about

consolidating the collections in our upper photo by Julie McKuras Collections, to the Libraries, and to together.) At the time I was intrigued, but Holmes and Leonard Merrick. I'll keep mezzanine storage area. As items are cat- Richard Sveum and Anne McDiarmid the profession at large. I was pleased my teacher's comment brought the class his nameplate by my desk as a constant aloged they will be reshelved by Library that the family could be with us as back into focus and I tucked Mac and reminder of his life and work. I will miss of Congress classification number, retain- we spent time together remembering a Holmes into the back of my mind. him. Hail and farewell. ing the DeWaal number in the biblio- On the staffing side of things Beth Bogle, pared this proposal. We should receive very special man. graphic record. New acquisitions and my Library Assistant, continues to offer word next Spring on the status and hope- Tim Johnson gifts continue to arrive, most notably the helpful service to those with an interest in ful acceptance of our proposal. audio/visual collection of Jennie Paton. the Collections. She has been assisted by our volunteers: Dick Sveum, Julie A true highlight of the year is the Hubbs Over the last year we mounted two McKuras, and Lucy Brusic. My continued Family gift that will facilitate cataloging a exhibits related to the Collections. In thanks goes to all of them. They make it a majority of the Collections and move us January we had the opportunity to dis- real joy as we work together on the various toward an endowed staff position. The play a number of items from the Shaw projects engendered by the Collections and project began in January and the first six- Collection for the annual BSI weekend in you, our very interested patrons. month report has been issued to the New York. (see the March, 2000 issue for In June we submitted a grant proposal to Hubbs Family and the Friends of the details) In June, with the wonderful con- the National Endowment for the Collections on our progress. Much of this tributions of Derham Groves and his Humanities to provide nearly $100,000 first period was used to establish policies architectural students in Australia, we in funding for a digital panoramic pho- and procedures, but even so 520 pieces mounted the exhibit "Better Holmes and tography project. The project aims to were cataloged through May. We expect a Gardens" in Wilson Library. A small cata- digitally photograph and place on the much higher count when we issue our log was produced in both print and Internet all of our three-dimensional next six-month report in January 2001. online versions, along with a web-mount- objects. These panoramic displays will Plans are also moving ahead on our ed photographic tour of the exhibit. This allow researchers Web access to the amaz- development goals. I am pleased to report exhibit, too, has been well received as is ing realia found in the Collections. My that we have: raised about $23,100 in evident by the declining number of print- thanks to those who wrote letters of sup- unrestricted funds, received permission ed catalogs. port and additional expertise as we pre- from both the family and the University photo by Julie McKuras

Jim Deleo, Mary McDiarmid, Tim Johnson

6 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 7 An Update From the Collections t the Annual Meeting of the to create an endowed position, "The I met Mac for the first time in the early The memory was revived the day I came Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Errett W. McDiarmid Curator of the 1980s, while in library school here at the to interview for this position. Early in the Collections, I presented my Sherlock Holmes Collections," collected University. I was in a class on academic morning I was introduced to the staff of A"State of the Collections" $1,722 in memorial monies from the librarianship, taught by David Special Collections and during those address. Here, in abbreviated form, are McDiarmid family, received a first "lead" Berninghausen. During the class, I kept pleasantries my eye caught sight of some- the address highlights. estate planning gift from an anonymous seeing a man, moving almost ethereally thing on a far shelf. It was this--a desk donor of $25,000, and planned future through the stacks visible through the nameplate that read "E. W. McDiarmid." I am pleased to report that the state of the mailings announcing the endowment open door. Berninghausen, aware of the I knew, in a sense, that I had come full Collections is excellent. Since our campaign and inviting contributions. movement, finally commented: "That's circle and would again make a connec- August, 1999 meeting, we successfully You will be hearing more in the days and Mac McDiarmid, former University tion with that ethereal man of the stacks. moved most of the collection from months ahead about our efforts to estab- Librarian, who's interested in Sherlock Wilson Library to our new home in lish this endowed chair in honor and Holmes. We have a Holmes collection The reunion was short and sweet. I will Andersen Library, beginning in late memory of "Mac". and I believe he's working on it." There forever treasure those moments of reintro- September 1999 and finishing in early was a hint of envy or admiration in duction at the 1998 conference, the visits, March 2000. Some of the memorabilia, Finally, let me report that it was an Berninghausen's voice, but I couldn't the hushed conversation about the some framed pieces, movie posters, and honor and privilege to have members quite make out the connection. (Mary Collections during an event at Eastcliff file cabinets containing the Shaw corre- of the McDiarmid family present at McDiarmid informed me, after I shared (where Mac had the chance to meet my spondence are yet to be moved. We are the Annual Meeting of the Friends of these comments during the Annual wife), and that wonderful dinner with in the process of resizing shelving to the Sherlock Holmes Collections. Meeting, that Mac and Berninghausen Mac and Bryce at his condo and the lin- accommodate quarto and folio items and Mac meant so much to the were close friends and often played golf gering discussion after dinner about consolidating the collections in our upper Julie McKuras photo by Collections, to the Libraries, and to together.) At the time I was intrigued, but Holmes and Leonard Merrick. I'll keep mezzanine storage area. As items are cat- Richard Sveum and Anne McDiarmid the profession at large. I was pleased my teacher's comment brought the class his nameplate by my desk as a constant aloged they will be reshelved by Library that the family could be with us as back into focus and I tucked Mac and reminder of his life and work. I will miss of Congress classification number, retain- we spent time together remembering a Holmes into the back of my mind. him. Hail and farewell. ing the DeWaal number in the biblio- On the staffing side of things Beth Bogle, pared this proposal. We should receive very special man. graphic record. New acquisitions and my Library Assistant, continues to offer word next Spring on the status and hope- Tim Johnson gifts continue to arrive, most notably the helpful service to those with an interest in ful acceptance of our proposal. audio/visual collection of Jennie Paton. the Collections. She has been assisted by our volunteers: Dick Sveum, Julie A true highlight of the year is the Hubbs Over the last year we mounted two McKuras, and Lucy Brusic. My continued Family gift that will facilitate cataloging a exhibits related to the Collections. In thanks goes to all of them. They make it a majority of the Collections and move us January we had the opportunity to dis- real joy as we work together on the various toward an endowed staff position. The play a number of items from the Shaw projects engendered by the Collections and project began in January and the first six- Collection for the annual BSI weekend in you, our very interested patrons. month report has been issued to the New York. (see the March, 2000 issue for In June we submitted a grant proposal to Hubbs Family and the Friends of the details) In June, with the wonderful con- the National Endowment for the Collections on our progress. Much of this tributions of Derham Groves and his Humanities to provide nearly $100,000 first period was used to establish policies architectural students in Australia, we in funding for a digital panoramic pho- and procedures, but even so 520 pieces mounted the exhibit "Better Holmes and tography project. The project aims to were cataloged through May. We expect a Gardens" in Wilson Library. A small cata- digitally photograph and place on the much higher count when we issue our log was produced in both print and Internet all of our three-dimensional next six-month report in January 2001. online versions, along with a web-mount- objects. These panoramic displays will Plans are also moving ahead on our ed photographic tour of the exhibit. This allow researchers Web access to the amaz- development goals. I am pleased to report exhibit, too, has been well received as is ing realia found in the Collections. My that we have: raised about $23,100 in evident by the declining number of print- thanks to those who wrote letters of sup- unrestricted funds, received permission ed catalogs. port and additional expertise as we pre- from both the family and the University photo by Julie McKuras

Jim Deleo, Mary McDiarmid, Tim Johnson

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

On June 29, Larry and Ann Koppers of Leawood, Kansas, former members Photo by Julie McKuras

Ann and Larry Koppers, with John Bennett Shaw's file Photo by Julie McKuras on the Great Alkali Plainsmen Paul Smedegaard, Tim Johnson, Fred and Sunnie Levin August 2, 2000

8 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 From the President E.W. McDiarmid: A Friend To All Who Knew Him

Julie McKuras

4 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 9 A McDiarmid Bibliography Business Law at the University of December 10, 1963, after a two year ill- Chicago from 1920 through 1950. He ness. The Two-Shilling Award was ac McDiarmid is well Edgar W. Smith. 34 – 43. Foreword by E. W. McDiarmid. became interested in both the BSI and bestowed upon him posthumously in known for his work with "Epithets In The Canon". The Baker "The Priory School: The Case of the Edgar W. Smith’s Profile by Gaslight after 1964. When Julian Wolff wrote of the Sherlock Holmes Street Journal. Vol. 19, #3 Classic Case". The Baker Street reading Vincent Starrett’s "Books Alive" Christ’s passing, he stated "We have lost MCollections and with the (September 1969). 144-148. Dozen, edited by Pj Doyle and column in the Chicago Tribune. In one of our immortals." Norwegian Explorers. Following is a "Are There Others? Sherlock Holmes’s E. W. McDiarmid. New York: 1944 he began corresponding with listing of his writings in books and Opinion of Watson". Cultivating Congdon & Weed, Inc. 1989. YEARS AGO Starrett, who invited him to join the BSI. Christ’s letters to Vincent Starrett are periodicals. Sherlock Holmes, edited by NOTE: The 1987 hardcover 50 Christ proved himself an esteemed part of the Vincent Starrett Collection at Bryce L. Crawford, Jr. and Joseph B. edition of The Baker Street Dozen Sherlockian scholar in the years to the University of Minnesota. In 1991, Mac McDiarmid donated his "Salute to Sherlock Holmes", E.W. Connors. La Crosse, WI: Sumac does not include this essay. come, contributing to The Baker Street Sherlockian books to the Sherlock McDiarmid and Theodore C. Press, 1978. "Sherlock Holmes’s Later Career". Journal and Sherlock Holmes Journal, as Julie McKuras Holmes Collections. Among the books Blegen. Sherlock Holmes: Master The Norwegian Explorers of Minnesota. Studies in Scarlet. Dubuque, IA: well as with his other writings. and booklets in his library was "The Detective, La Crosse, WI: Sumac Press, 1982. Gasogene Press, 1989. 147 – 153. Missing Three" written by Jay Finley edited by Theodore C. Blegen and "The Case of the Missing Text". Baker "Howard Haycraft, 1905 – 1991". He also wrote for the Chicago Tribune Christ, Alias Langdale Pike. It was E. W. McDiarmid. La Crosse, WI: Street Miscellanea, Winter 1982. Explorations. December, 1991. 8. column "A Line O’Type or Two" under printed in a small 4-page pamphlet Sumac Press, 1952. 1–6. "Bibliographical Note: ‘The Red-Headed the names "…J. A. Finch and Langdale titled Christmas 1950, and published by "Professor Sherlock Holmes, Ph.D." "The Real Sherlock Holmes". La Crosse, League’." Explorations. Pike whom he referred to as his Christ’s own Fanlight Press, which he Exploring Sherlock Holmes, edited WI: Sumac Press, 1984. March, 1992. 8-9. ‘agents’." (Terras 48) He authored a created for his Sherlockian writings. by E. W. McDiarmid and Medical Casebook of Doctor Arthur A Basic Holmesian Library. E. W. number of pamphlets under his pseudo- His article begins: Theodore C. Blegen. La Crosse, WI: Conan Doyle, by Alvin E. Rodin McDiarmid and Peter Blau. nyms, including "Flashes by Fanlight", Sumac Press, 1957. and Jack D. Key. Malabar, FL: Minneapolis: No Litter Press, 1995. "Gleanings by Gaslight", "Soundings in In 1935, in introducing a play "Reichenbach and Beyond". BSJ Robert E. Krieger Pub. Co., 1984. The Saga of a Sherlockian Scion Society. the Saga", "Sherlock’s Anniversaries" and edited by Vincent Starrett, Frederic Christmas Annual, 1957, edited by Foreword by E. W. McDiarmid. Minneapolis: The Norwegian "Finch’s Final Fling". Two of his works Dorr Steele wrote that he had The Sherlock Holmes Crossword, by Explorers. 1995. were published in 1947, and they illustrated 29 of the 33 Sherlock Albert and Julia Rosenblatt. remain milestones in Sherlockian schol- Holmes tales which were published La Crosse, WI: Sumac Press, 1985. Julie McKuras arship. His An Irregular Chronology of from 1903 onward. Edgar Smith’s Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street, pub- Baker Street Inventory (1945) lished by Fanlight House, is an ordering lists 26 of those 33 titles, under of the Holmes stories. An Irregular Early Days of The Sherlock Holmes Collections Continued from Page 1 Steele’s name. The discrepancy Guide to Sherlock Holmes of Baker need no longer exist, for, due to the Street was the first index to the Canon. ence, in addition to encouragement School, the year the Explorers antholo- A small delegation from the Library alertness of my good friends in the JournalPhoto compliments of The Baker Street This was published by Argus J. Finley Christ from rare book librarians Austin gy Cultivating Sherlock Holmes was went down to Rochester, Minnesota to photographic laboratory of the Books/Pamphlet House., and was an McLean, John Jenson, and Carol published. Philip Hench was among pick up the most important items University of Chicago, seven new idea proposed by Christopher Morley as Urness, that I chose to pursue the dedicatees of this book, which in while I waited impatiently during an Sherlockian drawings have turned early as 1938, according to Lellenberg. References: Librarianship as a profession and thus some ways represented the culmina- seemingly endless Library School class up…The drawings were published Jay Finley Christ devised the four-letter Christ, Jay Finley. "The Missing Three". Chicago: The Fanlight Press, 1950. was on hand for what was to come. tion of the wooing process which before I could rush over to see them in The Louisville Courier – reference key to the Canon, still in use Journal. Lellenberg, Jon. "Hounds Bounding from a Yellow brought the Hench treasures to (by now the Holmes materials had today. That same year, he was the first Fog: The Unleashing of Jay Finley Christ". During one of my visits to Mac I asked Minnesota. Events moved swiftly after moved to Wilson Library). Later John to teach a collegiate course devoted to Chicago, 9 Oct. 1993. him about a reference to the that for Mrs. Hench had decided to Jenson and I picked up the rest of the Christ goes on to identify these draw- the Master Detective. His six sessions Lellenberg, Jon, ed. Irregular Crises of the Late Norwegian Explorer archives which I donate the collection to the University collection and I took particular satis- ings, "one for each of the seven tales." were titled "Sherlock Holmes of Baker ‘Forties. New York: The Baker Street Irregulars, 1999. had come across in an essay by Philip thus fufilling what evidently had been faction in writing long letters to vari- Those missing from Mr. Smith’s invento- Street". ry were "The Sussex Vampire", "The Lellenberg, Jon, ed. Irregular Proceedings of the Hench. I inquired why the archives the intention of her husband, who ous correspondents describing it: Mid ‘Forties. New York: The Baker Street Three Garridebs", and "The Illustrious had not been deposited with the passed away in 1965. Soon I was sit- despite its significance, it was all but Christ was a member of The Sherlock Irregulars, 1995. Library and was given to understand ting in Mac’s office reading with grow- unknown to the Sherlockian world at Client". Holmes Society of London, Chicago’s Lellenberg, Jon, ed. Irregular Records of the Early that it was being held back in connec- ing excitement an inventory and large. The Hounds of the Baskerville (sic), and ‘Forties. New York: Fordham University Press, 1991. tion with the hoped-for eventual appraisal of the collection prepared by In Irregular Proceedings of the Mid one of the early members of Hugo’s ‘Forties, Jon Lellenberg describes J. Rabe, W. T., ed. 1961 S’ian Who’s Who and acquisition of a notable Holmes collec- Robert F. Metzdorf in 1966. Detailed The Hench collection was appraised Companions. He was instrumental in What’s What. Ferndale, MI: OLD SOLDIERS Finley Christ as "…one of the BSI’s pil- tion assembled by Hench and his wife were such splendors as four copies of by the antiquarian dealer Peter L. founding and participating in the early OF BAKER STREET, U.S.A., 1961. Mary. I further gathered that this Beeton’s Christmas Annual for 1887, Stern in January, 1979. In a letter lars in the late ‘Forties and ‘Fifties, and years of The Illustrious Clients of Terras, Donald J., ed. Hugo’s Companions effort had been quietly underway for a three copies of the even more elusive accompanying the appraisal Stern was one of its greatest contributors to the Indianapolis as well. In 1949, he Chicago. Evanston, IL: Windy City Press, 1999. number of years. first separate 1888 edition of A Study fulsome in his praise of the Henchs’s Writings About the Writings." (108). received his shilling and investiture of Born in 1884, Christ was a Professor of Wolff, Julian, ed. "Stand with Me Here Upon the in Scarlet, and many other rarities too accomplishment, noting the runs of "The Final Problem". He died on Terrace…". The Baker Street Journal. Volume The time shifts to 1978, shortly after I numerous to mention here. first editions, the "high quality" manu- 14, Number 1 (1964): 54. had entered the University’s Library script material, the "outstanding" art-

10 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 3 incalculable", (Bell 45) and even 12) The 1955 publication of Irving Early Days of The Sherlock Holmes attempted to identify Jack the Ripper Wallace’s The Fabulous Originals, at the time of the crimes. Bell which included a chapter about Joseph Collections received numerous medical honors, Bell called "The Real Sherlock work by F.D. Steele, and the "particu- achieving the position of President of Holmes", prompted Adrian Conan larly noteworthy … William Gillette the Royal College of Surgeons, and Doyle to threaten legal action against material, which is primarily from the was well liked by patients, fellow fac- Wallace. Adamant in his quest to Gillette estate." Stern concluded with 100YEARS AGO ulty and students. have his father seen as the true model for Holmes, Adrian reacted negatively the opinion "the scope and quality of the Hench Collection could probably The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections One of those students was Arthur to Hesketh Pearson’s references to Bell John Bennett Shaw filed a copy of not be duplicated today." Though this is a quarterly newsletter published by the Conan Doyle. He was chosen by Bell in his 1943 Conan Doyle, His Life and Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections "The Making of Sherlock Holmes", was early in Stern’s career, and he to be his out-patient clerk, allowing Art, and called the book a "fakeogra- which seek to promote the activities, inter- written by A.M., in his notebook of phy", according to Jon Lellenberg. would subsequently participate in the ests and needs of the Special Collections him close observation of the doctor’s and Rare Books Department, University of periodical articles from the period Adrian had helped shape John formation of some equally important interaction with patients. Bell was photo – John Bennett Shaw's Collection Minnesota Libraries. before 1903. In the Vol. 14, 1900 collections, it is still an indication of known for his powers of deduction, Dickson Carr’s 1949 The Life of Sir issue of The Young Man, A.M. noted the impression it made at the time. July 1983 Mail editorial correspondence c/o: impressing upon students the need to Arthur Conan Doyle, and in the same "Adventures on the Air" Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle's statement: Editor use all of their senses in making a fashion, insisted that William Baring- John Bennett Shaw, Austin McLean, Julie McKuras "Sherlock Holmes…is the literary The Hench bequest received consider- Edith Meiser, Mac McDiarmid 13512 Granada Ave. diagnosis. As Ely Liebow states, "Joe Gould review with him the introducto- embodiment of my memory of a able publicity among Holmes enthusi- Apple Valley, MN 55124 Bell gave Doyle the scientific method, ry chapters of The Annotated Sherlock 952-431-1934 Professor of Medicine at Edinburgh asts but not as well known is that cer- unenviable task of editing my text for the voice, the stoic face, but most of Holmes, excluding any reference to 952-431-5965 Fax University". tain valuable items listed in the 1966 the exhibit brochure, a composition [email protected] all the true touchstone, the aspect of Wallace’s book. He sent Baring-Gould Metzdorf appraisal did not come with replete with schoolboy howlers and Holmes that instantly and forever a manuscript, "The Real Sherlock Editorial Board That professor was Dr. Joseph Bell, a the rest of the collection in 1978. written in what he accurately described raised him above all other detectives Holmes", which was originally intend- Bruce Southworth, Dr. Richard Sveum, fourth generation physician in a family Included among the missing were two as my "turgid prose." This work, by Timothy Johnson and made him more recognizable than ed but not used as the introduction to known throughout Edinburgh, leaves from the manuscript to The the way, would have justifiably lapsed almost any other literary creation: the Pierre Nordon’s Conan Doyle. This Copyright © 2000 Scotland. He was born there on Dec. Hound of the Baskervilles, the full into permanent obscurity had it not University of Minnesota Library ingenious, insouciant, lightning essay and Adrian’s correspondence are 2, 1837, and was the eldest son of Dr. part of the Baring-Gould papers, manuscript to the non-Holmes story been posted on the Internet by a cur- The University of Minnesota is an Equal deduction…" (10) Opportunity Educator and Employer. Benjamin and Cecilia Bell. He attend- donated to the University of "The Horror of the Heights," a number rent incumbent of Special Collections. ed the University of Edinburgh, "the of significant early Arthur Conan Doyle John Jenson was much involved in the In May, 1892, Conan Doyle acknowl- Minnesota. In his pamphlet "The most celebrated medical school in the letters, and some 70 additional sketch- physical mounting of this and subse- edged that Bell was his model for the Real Sherlock Holmes", E. W. world" (Liebow 40) and graduated in es and drawings by Frederic Dorr quent exhibits, in the early days bene- Great Detective. Bell, a modest man McDiarmid questions the distinct pos- 1859. He became house surgeon, and Steele. These items were subsequently fiting from the invaluable input of who bore a tremendous physical sibility that "…it must have occurred What I hope is apparent from the in 1863, was appointed assistant sur- discovered in a bank vault and deliv- library assistant Kathy Tezla. resemblance to Holmes, stated fondly to him (Adrian) that Baring-Gould above account is the selfless manner geon to his father and to Dr. Patrick H. ered to the University in 1983 courtesy that Doyle had "…made a great deal might use it to help him in his cam- which characterized the involvement Watson. During a diphtheria epidemic of the Henchs’s son John Hench—and Mac meanwhile was busy with out of very little, and his warm paign to have his father universally of many of those who made such in 1864, Bell contracted the disease, thanks in large part to some quiet attempts to secure funding to allow remembrance of one of his old teach- accepted as Sherlock Holmes." significant contributions to the early which left him with a high pitched diplomacy on the part of Explorer Jack the collections to be catalogued and ers has coloured the picture." (Carr (McDiarmid 6) development of the Sherlock Holmes voice and jerky gait. In 1865, he mar- D. Key, our man in Rochester. otherwise made accessible. Equally 73). But others saw the same resem- collections at the University of ried Edith Murray, but their happy involved with these efforts was the late blance. In an April 5, 1893 letter to Dr. Joseph Bell died in his beloved Minnesota. I was fortunate to have union was short-lived; Edith died nine But what did come in 1978 was more Ronald M. Hubbs whose wise counsel, Conan Doyle, fellow University of Edinburgh on October 4, 1911, and been in the right place at the right years later. than enough to get started. The first personal integrity, and widely-respect- Edinburgh alumnus Robert Louis his funeral was one of the largest the time but it was people like Mac, exhibit was mounted and a related ed recommendations were crucial fac- Stevenson wrote "Only the one thing city had seen. Was he the only model Austin McLean and Ronald Hubbs Bell was the editor of The Edinburgh brochure was printed entitled "Arthur tors in obtaining the grants. Mac troubles me: can this be my old friend for Sherlock Holmes? The author of who were responsible for first bringing Medical Journal from 1873 through Conan Doyle: an Exhibit from the always acknowledged this, but Hubbs Joe Bell?" (Nordon 25) this featured 100 Year piece, A. M., the collections here and then ensuring 1896. He wrote a number of articles wrote of Dr. Bell "…however clever Mary Kahler and Philip S. Hench preferred to avoid the limelight even something could be done with them and authored two books, Manual of Collection July 18-September 30, more than our Sigerson. Their joint In the years to come, Conan Doyle’s the professor may be, it is not likely once they arrived. Patient efforts Surgical Operations and Notes on 1979". This exhibit set the pattern for success led to, among other things, my biographers would place varying that the world would have heard of behind the scenes yielded tremendous Surgery for Nurses, the latter reflecting most of my subsequent work with the gainful employment with Special degrees of emphasis on Bell’s influence him without the genius of the novelist, dividends, laying the groundwork for his life-long interest in bettering the collections and my relationship with Collections between 1979 and 1981 upon the character of Holmes. Jessie and it is due to Dr. Doyle, even more all that has been subsequently field of nursing. He was very religious, Mac and others at the Library. during which time an initial catalogue M. E. Saxby, a friend of Bell’s, wrote than to Dr. Bell, that we have such a achieved. This modesty was especial- had a good sense of humor, and dili- Whereas Mac remained in overall was prepared and numerous other her own recollection of the physician’s fascinating character as Sherlock ly true of Mac. He was usually happy gently kept a journal. He had an supervision of cataloging and develop- projects undertaken. More expansive kind nature to "…show his absolute Holmes in modern fiction." to take part in the work and fun but interest in criminal psychology and ment of the collections I worked on accounts of these and other adven- unlikeness, save in one respect, to let others take the credit. He played handwriting analysis, noting "The Continued on page 8 the technical side with Austin McLean tures, however, must be deferred to Conan Doyle’s masterpiece." (Saxby Julie McKuras the game for its own sake, perhaps the importance of the infinitely little is and John Jenson, the Special another time. truest indicator of a follower of the Collections Curator and Associate master detective Sherlock Holmes. Curator respectively. Austin had the

2 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 11 September 2000 D S O F N Volume 4 Number 3 E T Remembrances I H R In supporting the Sherlock Holmes Collections, many donors have made contributions either in honor or in memory of special per- E sons. Due to the number of people who made donations in Mac McDiarmid’s memory, we will list them as one group. F

IN HONOR OF FROM Anonymous Ted Friedman Nancy Beiman Laura Kuhn Dr. Howard Burchell Richard M. Caplan Bob Burr Laura Kuhn Sherlock Holmes Mark Conrad Laura Kuhn COLLECTIONS "The Insoluble Puzzles" Laura Kuhn Carole McCormick Laura Kuhn “Your merits should be publicly recognized” (STUD) Austin McLean Charles Press Bob Thomalen Paul Singleton 221Beach Alexian Gregory photo by Julie McKuras Peter Blau, Mac McDiarmid, Michael Whelan Contents Some Personal Recollections of the Early August 1998 Founders' Footprints Conference IN MEMORY OF FROM Some Personal Days of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Errett W. McDiarmid Cheryl Anderson, Thomas Arlander, Pauline Cartford, Mary Cermak, Recollections of the Early By Andrew Malec, B.S.I. Susan Davern, Wendell and Marjorie DeBoer, Frank and Genevieve Di Gangi, Days of the Sherlock Pj Doyle, Karen Ellery, Joan Fabian, Aurelio and Marana Floria, Paul and Ruth Holmes Collections am pleased to be afforded this undergraduate days. I attended my initial Fonstad, Lisl Gaal, Alma Gaona, Belen Gaona-Keithley, Thomas and Lynda Garnett, opportunity to draw together some Norwegian Explorers meeting in 1975 Dennis and Caroline Gebhard, David Hammer, Robert Holloway, Karen Hoyle, 1 of my earliest memories of the (on the occasion of John Bennett Shaw’s Margaret S. Hubbs, Marjorie Jambor, Carol Johnson, Hugh Klein, Janice Dolejki, Idevelopment of the Sherlock first visit to Minnesota) but did not meet Bobbi Masquelier, Richard and Rosemary McHugh, D. E. Meyer, Robert Minish, 100 Years Ago Holmes Collections, as well as some of Mac though we had exchanged corre- Forrest G. Moore, Frederick and Lynda Morlock, Terry Mueller, Merlin and 2 my encounters with E.W. McDiarmid spondence—he was in the hospital recov- Gladys Nelson, Susan Nelson, Carol Pavlik, David and Margaret Peterson, ("Mac") and others who played vital roles ering from a heart attack. In those days Michael and Janice Pluta, Laura Rice, Lucy C. Robertson, Albert and Julia 50 Years Ago during this period. Rosenblatt, Sally Ruvelson, Edward Stanford, Richard J. Sveum, Mabel Thompson, Though I relate these Karen Titrud, Jane Von Hagen, Judith Brown-Wescott, 3 events from a person- Arthur Conan Doyle Leslie S. Klinger From the President al perspective, I am in Dennis France Julie McKuras fact recording the Dennis France J. L. Weiner 4 accomplishments of Capt. Wiley Sampson Robert F. Cairo, Jr. Acquisitions others who generally Dorothy Rowe Shaw Karen Ellery chose to downplay 4 their significant con- Musings tributions to the beginnings of what 5 has become the largest Sherlock For any inquiries contact: An Update from Holmes collection in Timothy J. Johnson, Curator the Collections the world. During 612-624-3552 or