September 2006 D S O F N Volume 10 Number 3 E T I H

R E

F Sherlock Holmes COLLECTIONS

“Your merits should be publicly recognized” (STUD)

Contents Emory Lee

or some people, the collecting mania starts at a young age. It all began innocent- Emory Lee ly enough, with stamps, toy soldiers, and comic books for Emory Lee of Palo 1 Alto, California, but it quickly took a turn down the slippery path of collecting F items related to Sherlock Holmes. Emory noted “it was natural to collect Sherlockiana once I got into it…what got me started was buying a copy of Vincent Curiosity Camp Starrett’s The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes at a Stanford bookstore sale when I was a 2 graduate student. That led me to reading the Doubleday edition of the collected writings while neglecting my studies, I must admit.” 50 Years Ago 3 Using the Collections 3 Acquisitons 4 From the President 4 Musings 4 An Update from the Collections 5 Hammer Material Arrives at Library

7 Photo by Julie McKuras Emory Lee with The Sherlock Holms Collections’ four copies of Beeton’s Christmas Annual Remembrances 8 Continued on page 6

Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 1 Curiosity Camp ummer’s almost over, and by “rediscover how much fun learning od, or for the “naturally inquisitive.” the time you read this the can be!” “Why should kids have all It is a time to treat oneself “to a day of leaves will be turning and the the fun at summer camp?” says Margy productive play...where each adventure S crisp air of autumn will turn Ligon, director of Personal will engage your mind and refresh our minds towards such Enrichment Programs at the U’s your spirit.” The camp employs delights as fresh apple cider, the last College of Continuing Education. “We University and community experts and days of the baseball season, or the created these daylong experiences to focuses on an intriguing topic or many things that bring you joy during give adults an excuse to take a vaca- favorite place. There were twenty-one my most favorite season of the year. tion day and explore an interesting offerings this past summer, but of But for the moment, I want to linger topic. They’ll get a chance to hear course, my favorite course was the one over some thoughts of summer. from U experts, meet people with sim- I was asked to participate in: “More ilar interests, and tour the quiet cam- Than Elementary: Our Fascination When I was a young boy I went to a pus to discover beautiful gardens, fas- with Sherlock Holmes.” Joining me in number of camps: day camps run by cinating laboratories, and 150 years of our camp experience was author the local parks department, Boy Scout inspirational architecture and sculp- Larry Millett. and church camps full of hiking, ture. We’re hoping these Curiosity camping, fishing, Our camp, with swimming, and twenty registrants, other outdoor began at the activities. It was a Continuing time to explore, a Education and time to grow, and Conference Center a time to relax. I on the University’s was surrounded St. Paul Campus. by new sights and Following a brief sounds, and introduction, I things that went spent an hour talk- bump in the ing about “What’s night. It was a Up, Sherlock,” our time, as I look fascination with back, full of won- Holmes, the derful memories endurance of the and enriching Sherlockian legacy, experiences.

Photo courtesy of Tim Johnson Photo courtesy of Tim and the fun of Camps of one playing the great kind or another Game. Next on the have been, and agenda was Larry, continue to be, who talked about part of my life. “The Reincarnation Or, to put it into Larry Millett and Tim Johnson of an Icon,” his a Sherlockian con- experience as an text (quoting author and the challenges faced in Watson), “My experience of camp life Camps will encourage adults to take bringing Holmes and Watson to in Afghanistan had at least had the time for themselves and remember Minnesota through his various tales effect of making me a prompt and how incredibly stimulating and fun such as Sherlock Holmes and the Red ready traveler.” (BOSC) learning can be.” Demon or Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders. I was very pleased So it was no surprise to discover that Curiosity Camp is designed for adult that Larry could take time out from a the University of Minnesota offered a learners, for folks who need, or want, busy schedule, which includes work- camp experience in the form of the a summer vacation, but might not be ing on another book, to offer his College of Continuing Education’s able to get away for an extended peri- unique insights as an author. “Curiosity Camp,” where one can Continued on page 7

2 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Mr. Allan does not name the episode If the date is indeed correct, the BBC he listened to that sparked his enthusi- may have re-broadcast the series in astic review, but from his description 1956, with Mr. Allan not having been the story dramatized was clearly “The aware of the original broadcasts in Bruce-Partington Plans.” This episode 1954. (The first U.S. broadcast of the was especially interesting from the episode in question was on February standpoint of casting, in that John 5, 1955.) An exhaustive search has 50 Gielgud’s elder brother Val Gielgud, turned up several print and online ref- YEARS AGO who was one of the directors of the erences verifying the dates of the origi- series, played Sherlock’s elder brother nal broadcasts, but no dates of n “The Adventure of the Three Mycroft! rebroadcasts, so we can only surmise Garridebs,” Dr. Watson reports on this point. that Sherlock Holmes refused a The series was originally broadcast in I knighthood, but at least one actor the U.K. during the last three months Recordings of the series can readily be who portrayed the Great Detective did of 1954 and then in the U.S. during found for sale on cassette or CD. The not refuse the knighthood offered to the first six months of 1955. Only programs hold up well and are him. Some fifty years ago a radio series twelve episodes were broadcast in the remarkably faithful to the original sto- was broadcast that boasted not only a U.K., with an additional four episodes ries as written by Conan Doyle. knight of the realm portraying Holmes and six re-broadcasts being aired in the Gielgud’s Holmes is masterful, and but another portraying Dr. Watson! U.S. All episodes were dramatizations Richardson’s Watson is an intelligent This illustrious pair was Sir John of tales from the Holmes Canon. “The helpmate to Holmes – thankfully not Gielgud as Holmes and Sir Ralph Bruce-Partington Plans” (alternative in the bumbling Nigel Bruce mold of Richardson as Watson. title: “The Traitor”) was the fourth earlier radio broadcasts in the U.S. episode broadcast and was originally How the listener of today wishes that Among the shelves and shelves of John aired in the U.K. on October 26, 1954, the BBC and this illustrious pair of Bennett Shaw’s collected ephemera that eighteen months before the hand-writ- actors had gone on to record the entire compose a large part of the Collections ten date on our copy of the review, in Canon! was found a yellowed clipping from which Mr. Allan states that the series the Sunday Times (of London), hand has “been on the air for several weeks.” John Bergquist, BSI dated April 8, 1956. The clipping is of If the hand-written date of April 8, “John Allan’s Radio Review” column, in 1956 is accurate, Mr. Allan’s statement which Mr. Allan extols the virtues of is puzzling. (As Watson said to Holmes the Gielgud-Richardson series on the in “The Adventure of the Creeping BBC. Mr. Allan writes, “This must be Man,” “As to your dates, that is the one of the most distinguished Holmes biggest mystification of all.”) The most series ever broadcast….The players likely explanation is that Shaw – or who take the part of the principals are whoever sent him the clipping – was from that rare strata of actors who mistaken about the date of the review. make theatre great.”

Using the Collections Ron Levitsky of Lake Forest, Illinois toured the Collections in June.

Also this summer, Sara Janes, a graduate student in archival studies at McGill University, was able to view the holdings of the Sherlock Holmes Collections.

Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 3 Acquisitons

erham Groves added to the Hugo Koch forwarded copies of his lat- His latest contribution consists of over Collections’ holdings of his est pamphlet, “The Real Irene Adler: 400 Sherlockian Periodicals and 72 books with the addition of Caroline Norton née Sheridan” or books, as well as other items from the D what Curator Tim Johnson “Some Observations Upon a Three Pipe 1980s. described as “two artist’s books. They’re Problem: The Extra-Canonical Identity really quite wonderful and unique. ‘Tire of ‘the Woman’.” 115 numbered copies Periodicals continue to arrive at the Eye’ (the title I’m working with at the were privately printed. Collections and include the latest issues moment) was printed in twenty copies. of The Crier from the Criterion Bar The other, ‘McPherson’s Guide for the Andy Peck, one of the generous donors Association, material from Hugo’s Handyman’ was printed in sixteen highlighted in the March 2006 issue of Companions, the Summer 2006 copies.” this newsletter, has sent additional Canadian Holmes, and The Whaling materials to the Holmes Collections. News, the newsletter of The Harpooners of the Sea Unicorn, July 2006. From the President ark your calendars for Books and Manuscripts Section since we are part library, part archive Monday, October 23, 2006 Conference titled “Libraries, Archives and part museum, as we mount at 7 PM as the Annual and Museums in the 21st Century: exhibits. I also attended a special M Membership Meeting of the Intersecting Missions, Converging workshop on fundraising for libraries. Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Futures?” The University of Minnesota Collections at the Andersen Library. Libraries staff present included Curator I hope that everyone will be able to The Keynote address, “Dr. Arthur Tim Johnson and Andersen Librarian attend our Annual Membership Conan Doyle: A Self Portrait” will be Kris Kiesling. I was able to tour the Meeting and renew their connection given by C. Paul Martin, MD, BSI. Dr. Harry Ransom Center at the University with the Friends. Together we can Martin is a founding member of the of Texas and see their exhibition on make the Sherlock Holmes Collections Friends and Past-President of the the Technologies of Writing, including the World Center for the Study and Norwegian Explorers. a display of Arthur Conan Doyle mate- Appreciation of Sherlock Holmes. rial. The theme of a converging future Please consider an additional donation In June of this year, I flew to Austin, fits our Sherlock Holmes Collections of money or material. Texas to attend the 47th annual Rare Richard J. Sveum, MD, BSI Musings

t’s always a pleasure to find out Guiness, at the Old Vic Theatre in theater” with Gielgud and Richardson. that a generous donation has London. It is interesting to note two The cost is listed as $26.95. been received at The Sherlock things: one, that Orson Welles, who Holmes Collections. It’s an even had portrayed Sherlock Holmes in the Richard Sveum provides an update on I his work this summer on behalf of the greater pleasure to have the opportu- 1938 Mercury Theatre production, nity to meet the person behind the played Professor Moriarty in this Friends group. We’ve omitted our reg- donation. That was the case when I series; and two, the first actor to ular article, 100 Years Ago, in order to met Emory Lee in June, when he visit- become a knight of the realm was Sir highlight the Curiosity Camp that Tim ed Minneapolis and the Holmes Henry Irving. He was knighted in Johnson and Larry Millett helped con- Collections. 1895, and among his many accom- duct. From the comments received plishments was the theatrical success after the session, it seems it was a great John Bergquist’s 50 Years Ago article of Conan Doyle’s A Story of Waterloo. day of productive play. Our thanks go discusses the Gielgud and Richardson Gielgud and Richardson’s final project to Tim for his outstanding work in portrayals of Holmes and Watson, and together was the 1985 film “Invitation bringing the Holmes Collections to an the problematic dating of a review. to the Wedding.” The latest Signals ever growing audience, both through Their professional association, which catalog (www.signals.com) carries item the camp and through his work with lasted even longer than that of Holmes HD0462, “Sherlock Holmes: A Baker Nostalgia Ventures. and Watson, began in the early 1930s, Street Dozen,” described as “12 along with Laurence Olivier and Alec timeless classics performed as radio Julie McKuras, ASH, BSI

4 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections An Update from the Collections hroughout the history of the leagues Tom Mittelstaedt and Danny This project with Nostalgia Ventures Holmes Collections, the Henry on a project to produce com- marks the latest effort by the Libraries University Libraries’ have mercially available recordings of the to make the recordings from the T explored and implemented ways Sherlock Holmes radio shows from Meiser Collection available to collec- to make materials more accessible to 1948-1949. These episodes, part of the tors of “old-time” classic radio pro- interested researchers. Recent examples Edith Meiser Collection, feature John grams. Earlier recordings from the of this kind of activity include cata- Stanley in the role of Holmes. The Collection were distributed through loging the book collection and creating 1948-49 season included such canoni- the “Radio Spirits” company and the online finding aids to much of the cal adventures as “The Bruce- Smithsonian Institution. These pro- manuscript material. Books from the Partington Plans” and “Black Peter” as grams are still available. For additional Collections can be discovered through well as non-canonical tales such as information, consult the “Radio Spirits” the Libraries’ main web site “The Case of the Unwelcome web site (http://www.radiospirits.com/) (http://www.lib.umn.edu/) and manu- Ambassador” and “The Logic of for a catalog of available shows. script materials can be found through Murder.” the Holmes Collections web site Finally, speaking of web sites, readers (http://special.lib.umn.edu/rare/holmes The original recordings of the shows will soon notice a new look to our site. .phtml). A very simple, but often effec- are on sixteen-inch transcription disks This is part of the Libraries’ overall tive way of making people aware of and require special equipment for communications and visual identity our collections comes by granting per- playback. It was our good fortune to program. This last winter, the Libraries mission to authors and publishers for discover that the Pavek Museum has Communications Advisory Committee the use of material or images from our such equipment and was very interest- worked with Minneapolis-based design collections in the publication of a book ed in participating in the project. The firm Yamamoto Moss to devise a visual or article. The acknowledgement, cred- disks were carefully transported to the identity system for the Libraries a set it line or footnote that accompanies Pavek where Steve, Tom, and Danny of graphic ‘marks’ that, when used this material alerts scholars to addi- oversaw the digital re-recording of the consistently, reinforce our brand in the tional material held by the Libraries. episodes onto compact disks. I espe- minds of our users. The visual identity And, occasionally, these activities cially enjoyed my time with Danny, the system is made up of several elements, include commercial ventures. recording engineer for the Pavek, as we including a new University Libraries listened to a number of adventures logo, two typefaces and a color palette One such venture is now underway together. As we listened to the original that are used consistently on all print with Nostalgia Ventures of Encinitas, disks, we were delighted with the qual- and electronic publications, and other California, and the Pavek Museum of ity of the recordings. Once the re- graphic elements and layout parame- Broadcasting in St. Louis Park, recording process was completed these ters. In addition to the new look, we’ve Minnesota. Baker Street Irregular mem- “raw” disks were sent to Dennis Levin added additional resources and items ber William Nadel (“Bartholomew where other engineers are digitally of interest to the site for your use and Sholto”) originally put us in contact enhancing the recordings to remove pleasure. We plan on adding additional with Dennis Levin, president of any hiss, cracks, or pops that are com- material in the near future. We hope Nostalgia Ventures, and for that con- monly found in early sound materials. you’ll like the new look and find the tact we are especially grateful. Over the The final product should be stunning. added resources helpful. past few months we have been work- We do not yet know when these ing with Mr. Levin and his staff, along recordings will be available for sale, Timothy Johnson with Stephen Raymer, managing direc- but we will let readers of the newslet- tor of the Pavek Museum, and his col- ter know when that might be.

Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 5 Emory Lee... Continued from Page 1

Emory, who has spent more than thirty was astounding, and keeping things emphasize the importance of collec- years collecting Sherlockiana, had the organized and catalogued will always tions development for historians and opportunity to meet the ultimate col- be a challenge as more people donate history. This is a way that historians lector John Bennett Shaw in 1987 at their personal holdings. The most eye- can write history.” Gámez said that the Centenary Sherlock Holmes opening impression was seeing the people often recycle material unwit- Conference held at Stanford. He used John Bennett Shaw Collection and its tingly that historians later must go to Shaw’s “The Basic Holmesian Library” ‘informal’ but comprehensive nature.” great lengths to obtain. list as a guide in his own collecting, and cites Bruce Parker, Ted Schulz and Comprehensive not only applies to The same is true of the Sherlock Richard Rutter, all fellow members of Shaw’s collection, but to Mr. Lee’s Holmes Collections and the important The Knights of the Gnomon in interests as well. Despite his claims to role that donors play. Several months California, as well as Peter Blau, for ignoring his studies so that he could after his visit to Minnesota, Emory Lee their help as he built his library. immerse himself in the Canon and the wrote “I had initial doubts about John Bennett Shaw wasn’t only his writings upon the writings, Emory cur- donating my material to the University guide in amassing a Sherlockian rently serves as the Executive Officer of of Minnesota and its Collections library, but an inspiration in another the Office of the Regional Director, because of concerns that many items direction as well. In May of this year, Region IX, of the U. S. Department of in my collection may be duplicative. Emory Lee donated his Holmes library Health and Human Services. His office I went ahead with the belief that I to the University of Minnesota’s represents the Health and Human wanted to help build a ‘critical mass’ Sherlock Holmes Collections. The list Services Secretary in Region IX, which so researchers around the world could of his books, notebooks, photographs, is comprised of Arizona, California, conduct comprehensive studies at a tapes, booklists, posters, magazines Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific territo- single location. I reasoned any dupli- and journals fills five pages. Timothy ries of Guam, American Samoa, cates could also be sold to purchase Johnson, Curator of Special Collections Commonwealth of the Northern other materials. I know I made the and Rare Books, stated “We’re so Marianas, Federated States of right choice after seeing the pleased to receive Mr. Lee’s collection. Micronesia, the Republic of the Collections.” Each collection comes with its own Marshall Islands and the Republic of story, full of rich associations and the Palau. His area is the largest in the ten Julie McKuras, ASH, BSI collector’s unique expression of their regions under the HHS Secretary. own interest in Holmes, Doyle, and the Mr. Lee also founded the Stanford Sherlockian canon. This is a welcome Asian Pacific American Alumni Club. addition.” Several years ago, he donated his large Reference: collection of Asian American periodi- http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/ One month after his library arrived in cals and newspapers, printed from the 2002/may1/emory-51.html Minnesota, Emory was able to visit The 1970s onward, to the Stanford Sherlock Holmes Collections. “I was Libraries. The May 1, 2002 online obviously thrilled to see the Stanford Report noted that donation. Collections first hand after having read Alicia Gámez, curator of American and about it through your newsletters for British history at the Cecil H. Green the past few years. The breadth of it Library at Stanford wrote, “We want to

6 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Curiosity Camp.. Continued from Page 2 Questions and follow-up discussions The “campers” all enjoyed themselves peppered the morning, during class during the day, given their comments and into the breaks. Following Larry’s in the course evaluation. “A day well presentation, campers had a chance to spent! Good level of presentation rela- talk more about Holmes over a leisure- tive to audience. Very well organized. . ly lunch at the Conference Center . . excellent presenters, and a chance to before boarding a bus to the Andersen see the archives. It was a stimulating The Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections Library and an afternoon spent with day in the company of so many curi- is a quarterly newsletter published by the the Holmes Collections. ous and intriguing lifelong learners. . . Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections which seek to promote the activities, inter- . . This was very informative and most ests and needs of the Special Collections Once at the Andersen Library, we gath- enjoyable. . . . Excellent! Great one and Rare Books Department, University of ered in the Givens Conference suite, day intellectual break for me. . . . Minnesota Libraries. the site of our last Holmes conference. Interesting and fun. If you are fascinat- Mail editorial correspondence c/o: After a morning spent hearing about ed with Holmes, you will learn much. . Editor Julie McKuras Holmes, participants had a chance to . . This was an informative, relaxing 13512 Granada Ave. see some of the treasures from the and fun day. . . . I had a great time.” Apple Valley, MN 55124 Collections. I chose items which 952-431-1934 952-431-5965 Fax everyone in the class, whether a novice I am grateful to Margy Ligon at the [email protected] or expert in their knowledge of College of Continuing Education for Sherlock Holmes, would understand the opportunity to lead one of the Editorial Board John Bergquist, Timothy Johnson, and appreciate. I included the original University’s Curiosity Camps. Margy Jon Lellenberg, Richard J. Sveum, M.D. leaves from The Hound of the and I have worked together for a num- Baskervilles, our copies of the Beeton’s ber of years with the University’s Christmas Annual, some original art- “Compleat Scholar” program, which is work by Frederic Dorr Steele, and another opportunity for adult learners Copyright © 2006 copies of the original Strand magazines to explore the vast riches of the University of Minnesota Library which gave our campers a chance to University of Minnesota. I’ve had the The University of Minnesota is an Equal see the actual materials which excited opportunity, through this program, to Opportunity Educator and Employer. readers when the stories were first talk about both Sherlock Holmes (co- published. Also included were various taught with our esteemed editor, Julie Conan Doyle letters, the manuscript McKuras, and Larry Millett) and the from The Horror of the Heights (to give Lewis and Clark expedition. campers a sense of items from the Collections outside of the Canon), and Margy Ligon and the team who works a number of other rarities. Each item with her in organizing the Curiosity came with its own story which was Camps maybe say it best. “Your day-to- shared with campers before we ended day work may have nothing to do with the afternoon session with a journey unraveling the makings of a who-done- down into the underground storage it novel or getting your hands dirty in facility and the opportunity to view the a gardening experiment. But taking a collection first hand. Before we knew day this summer to nurture new inter- it, the afternoon came to a conclusion ests may be the best thing you can do and campers boarded the bus for the for your career, or life in general. The return trip to the Conference Center University’s Curiosity Camps offer that on the St. Paul campus. opportunity.”

Timothy Johnson

Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections 7 Hammer Material Arrives at Library

year ago we reported on the • Extensive correspondence and notes arrival of what we thought of British Holmesian scholar Michael would be the last shipment of Harrison, whose works David pub- A material generously donated to lished in Harrison’s later years the Collections by David Hammer, BSI, lawyer, author and publisher. The • Selected manuscripts of David’s own plan to contribute his library to the published Sherlockian writings Holmes Collections began in 1998 and along with correspondence between was the subject of the lead article in author and editor the December issue that year. Over the years, additional shipments from •A whimsical ceramic Sherlock Hammer including manuscript materials, books, correspondence Once more, we thank David for acting and journals have been received at on his belief that the proper repository the Elmer L. Andersen Library. for a significant collection should be in a public institution such as the As it turns out, David wasn’t quite University of Minnesota, where many finished with his largesse. Earlier this can access and enjoy it. And, although year, David informed us that he had David swore that this was the last ship- still more material for us, so my wife, ment of material, he also swore that Inez, and I gladly made the drive to The Worth of the Game would be the scenic Dubuque, Iowa to retrieve eight last in his excellent series of boxes of additional material. David, Sherlockian travel books – three his wife, Audrey, and their spirited books ago! dachshunds, Hansi and Wolfgang, welcomed us to Laurel Cottage, their John Bergquist, BSI comfortable home on the bluff.

While we have not yet been able to thoroughly inspect or catalog the new material, it does include the following

items among others: Photo by Julie McKuras A statue of Holmes, from David Hammer’s collection

For any inquiries contact: Remembrances Timothy J. Johnson, Curator 612-624-3552 or In supporting the Sherlock Holmes Collections, many donors have [email protected] made contributions either in honor or in memory of special persons. Sherlock Holmes Collections In Memory Of From Suite 111, Elmer L. Andersen Library Henry Boote, Sr. Henry Boote, BSI University of Minnesota 222 21st Ave. S. Trish Pearlman Laura Kuhn Minneapolis, MN 55455 Trish Pearlman Warren Randall Telephone: 612-624-7526 Robert Schultz BSI Mike and Julie McKuras FAX: 612-626-9353

Timothy J. Johnson, Curator

Mailing list corrections requested— Because of the high cost of returned newsletters, we would appreciate being informed of changes of address or other corrections. 8 Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections