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Created page with " ''The Inner Room: Editorial [Vol. 3]'' is an article written by Christopher Roden & David Stuart Davies published in the A.C.D. - The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (Vol. 3, 1992). This editorial argues for wider access to Arthur Conan Doyle's letters and manuscripts, and calls for the eventual creation of a national Conan Doyle collection for researchers. It also marks an editorial transition in the journal, introducin..."

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''The Inner Room: Editorial [Vol. 3]'' is an article written by [[Christopher Roden]] & [[David Stuart Davies]] published in the [[A.C.D. - The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society]] (Vol. 3, 1992).

This editorial argues for wider access to [[Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s letters and manuscripts, and calls for the eventual creation of a national [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Conan Doyle]] collection for researchers. It also marks an editorial transition in the journal, introducing Barbara Roden as co-editor and publishing [[David Stuart Davies]]'s farewell message.

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== Editorial ==
[[File:Acd-society-journal-1992-vol3-p3-the-inner-room.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[A.C.D. - The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society]] (Vol. 3, 1992, p. 3)]]
[[File:Acd-society-journal-1992-vol3-p4-the-inner-room.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[A.C.D. - The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society]] (Vol. 3, 1992, p. 4) Christopher Roden & Barbara Roden]]
[[File:Acd-society-journal-1992-vol3-p5-the-inner-room.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[A.C.D. - The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society]] (Vol. 3, 1992, p. 5) David Stuart Davies]]
[[File:Acd-society-journal-1992-vol3-p6-the-inner-room.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[A.C.D. - The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society]] (Vol. 3, 1992, p. 6)]]

It is always an exciting time when the Journal reaches the stage where the editorial can be considered. It's a time to look back on weeks of work and months of planning: the commissioning and bringing together of work from contributors all over the world; contributors with whom contact is often only by letter. An organisation like [[The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (1989-2003)|The Arthur Conan Doyle Society]] certainly generates files of correspondence. This can only be a good thing, as the exchange of ideas and information builds into a record for the future - a point of reference.

Unknowingly, ACD also provided a point of reference with his voluminous correspondence. There are, of course, many single letters scattered in all comers of the globe, but the major sets of correspondence, such as those held by the Metropolitan Toronto Reference Library and the Harry Price Library are available for research, and they enable detailed study to be carried out in the way that Cameron Hollyer and Philip K. Wilson have done in this issue.

There must be other sets of important correspondence hidden away in private collections and available only to the privileged few. How great a service could be done to our study of [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Conan Doyle]] the man, the author, the letter-writer, if the owners of these important documents would share them with those prepared to carry out the necessary work of assimilating and commenting on their contents.

The past year has seen the publication of facsimile editions of two original [[Sherlock Holmes]] manuscripts, '[[The Dying Detective]]' and '[[The Lion's Mane]]', bringing to three the number of original manuscripts now available for study. This is an important beginning — but it is only a beginning. The Sherlockian stories formed only a small part of [[Arthur Conan Doyle|ACD]]'s output, and it is important that we now consider the possibility of a facsimile of a non-Sherlockian manuscript. With what ease, for example, did [[Arthur Conan Doyle|ACD]] write a [[Brigadier Gerard]] story, or a [[Professor Challenger]] novel? Are there any illuminating alterations in those particular manuscripts? The generosity and interest of individual owners and collectors may one day enable us to answer those, and other, questions.

Our dream should be to see a national [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] Collection, housed in a relevant location, and available to researchers. The heart of such a collection should be original manuscripts and letters, and we believe there are those who would be prepared to lend material which it might, at some future time, be possible for the Collection to acquire on a permanent basis.

The incentive for such a Collection already exists and dreams do have a way of becoming reality!

Christopher Roden 
November 1992

=== Editorial Changes ===

This issue of [[Arthur Conan Doyle|ACD]] is the first produced by the new editorial partnership of Christopher and Barbara Roden. The former name will already be familiar to readers, while the latter has, since her arrival in Britain from Canada in June, been actively involved in the day-to-day running of the [[The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (1989-2003)|Society]].

Barbara hails from Vancouver, British Columbia, and has been a part of the Sherlockian scene since 1985 when she joined the Bootmakers of Toronto. In 1987 she became one of the founder members of the now thriving Stormy Petrels of British Columbia, was President from 1988-1991, and edited the group's newsletter, ''The Petrel Flyer'', from 1990-1992. In recognition of her work in the Canadian Sherlockian world and her regular contributions to ''Canadian Holmes'', Barbara was awarded Canada's highest Sherlockian honour when she was made a Master Bootmaker in January 1990. An enthusiastic and knowledgeable Doylean and Sherlockian, Barbara is relishing the challenges of her new role.

[[David Stuart Davies]], who has jointly edited [[Arthur Conan Doyle|ACD]] since the first issue in September 1989, will continue to contribute articles. David's contribution to the Journal over the past three years is greatly appreciated, and he leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future. We are taking this opportunity to publish David's 'farewell message' to members:

When Christopher Roden first invited me to help him edit the new journal of [[The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (1989-2003)|The Arthur Conan Doyle Society]], I was both excited and flattered. I was conscious that here was a unique undertaking. I had been involved in the world of Sherlock Holmes for some years and, indeed, I had recently taken on the mantle of Co-Editor and Co-President of ''The Northern Musgraves'', but to be in at the start of a society devoted not to Holmes but to his creator was something very special. I knew from the start that Christopher's concept of the Society was one that would deal in all aspects of [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Conan Doyle]], not only his phenomenal fiction output, but also his public and private life and, of course, his fascination with the world of Spiritualism. Helping with the journal was an enjoyable chore and a stimulating learning process.

When Christopher told me that Barbara Alder was to become resident in this country, and would shortly become Mrs Roden, it seemed logical to me to hand over my role to Barbara, whom I knew to be a highly literate and enthusiastic Doylean. It was a sensible and practical arrangement: the difficulties and problems of two co-editors living some sixty miles apart would be eliminated. Previous editorial discussions, carried out via lengthy telephone calls, had been enjoyable but far from ideal - and very costly.

I am proud to have been in at the beginning, to assist, in some small way in helping to set the course of the Journal. I am also sad to relinquish my role. However, I have no doubt that ACD will go from strength to strength in the future. I certainly do not intend to be idle and will contribute articles in the coming years. I also hope that the close relationship between this society and The Northern Musgraves Sherlock Holmes Society will continue and flourish.

I raise my glass to ACD and [[The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (1989-2003)|The Arthur Conan Doyle Society]] Best Wishes and God Bless.

David Stuart Davies

=== Air Cmdt. Dame Jean Conan Doyle and Mr Julian Symons ===

The Society wishes to offer its warmest congratulations to [[Dame Jean Conan Doyle]] and Mr Julian Symons who both celebrate their eightieth birthdays during 1992.

Our thanks are insufficient acknowledgement of their contribution and encouragement.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday.

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The Inner Room: Editorial (ACD Journal vol. 3) - Revision history