Sherlock Holmes card series (J. Miguel Arnau)

J. Miguel Arnau's Sherlock Holmes cards (1908)

This Sherlock Holmes card series is a Spanish set of 10 numbered advertising cards combining popular fiction and commercial promotion. Each card bears on the front a colored Sherlock Holmes illustration with caption, while the reverse contains a section of a continuous Spanish prose narrative about the detective, accompanied by advertisement for a brand. While the narrative text and numbering remain constant, the advertisements on the reverse differ according to the sponsoring business. Among the surviving cards are backs advertising the establishments of Farmacia Rafael Sanromá (Pharmacy) and Drogueria Manuel Sanromá (Drugstore) of Tarragona; Fabricante de Chocolate Esteban Sabater (Chocolate) and Fabrica de Chocolates Luis Comet (Chocolate) of Figueras; and Chocolate Viladás of Agramunt, and probably others...

These names identify advertisers or distributors of particular issues, not necessarily the publisher of the series itself. The reverse imprint reads "Tip. Lit. J. Miguel Arnau – Muntaner, 66 – Barcelona," identifying the Barcelona printing and lithographic house responsible for production. The series may therefore be attributed, in printing terms, to J. Miguel Arnau, though the actual publisher or issuing firm remains uncertain.

The cards were probably handed out by the sponsoring businesses to customers, either directly in the shop or in connection with purchases; however, the precise distribution method is not yet documented for this series.

Card List

The card story is not an original Conan Doyle text, but a shortened and altered adaptation of The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton (1904).

Front	Back	Text
		1. El detective Sherlock Holmes — El detective Sherlock Holmes, ha sido uno de los policias que más fama han obtenido, no solo por su gran tacto en descubrir los crimenes más misteriosos, sino tambien por su gran serenidad y presencia de animo en todas cuantas aventuras peligrosas se ha visto. Hombre de gran valor, rayano en temeridad, no le han arredrado nunca los peligros, muy al contrario, parece que su mayor afán era buscarlos aun que para ello fuere necesario exponer su vida, y con tanto tesón seguia la pista del crimen o asunto que se proponia descubrir que no quedaba satisfecho de mismo hasta que lograba ver realizados sus propósitos. Dotado de rara habilidad, cambiaba facilmente de tipo y trajes, de tal manera que hasta para sus más allegados se hacía completamente desconocido. 1. The detective Sherlock Holmes — The detective Sherlock Holmes has been one of the most famous policemen, not only for his great tact in solving the most mysterious crimes, but also for his great composure and presence of mind in all the dangerous adventures he has faced. A man of great courage, bordering on recklessness, he was never daunted by danger; quite the contrary, it seemed his greatest desire was to seek it out, even if it meant risking his life. He followed the trail of the crime or matter he set out to uncover with such tenacity that he was never satisfied until he had achieved his goals. Endowed with remarkable skill, he easily changed his appearance and attire, so much so that even to his closest associates he was completely unrecognizable.
		2. Su criado le entregó una tarjeta... — Un día al volver Holmes de una pequeña excursión con su intimo amigo el doctor Watson, su criado le entregó una tarjeta, al fijarse en el nombre de la misma hizo un gesto desdeñosos volvió la tarjeta y en su reverso leyó estas palabras "Vendré a las siete y media, Milton." — ¿Y quién es? preguntó el doctor Watson. — El Hombre más vil del mundo — dijo Holmes en tono de desprecio. Y arrellanarse en su sillón llenó su pina y contó a su amigo y confidente la historia de Milton. Era este, hombre de gran posición social y de immensa fortuna. Sus ocupaciones consistian en averiguar vidas y hechos de personas de la más alta sociedad, comprando cartas y documentos comprometedores, para vender sus secretos a las familias, esposos, etc., de sus victimas, si estas no lo pagaban crecidas cantidades para que no los divulgase. En esto un criado anunció al señor Milton. 2. His servant handed him a card... — One day, upon Holmes returning from a short excursion with his close friend Dr. Watson, his servant handed him a card. Noticing the name on it, he made a disdainful gesture, turned the card over, and on the back read these words: "I will come at half past seven, Milton." — And who is he? asked Doctor Watson. — The vilest man in the world, — said Holmes contemptuously. And settling back in his armchair, he filled his head and told his friend and confidant the story of Milton. He was a man of high social standing and immense wealth. His occupation consisted of discovering the lives and deeds of people in the highest society, buying compromising letters and documents, and selling their secrets to the families, spouses, etc., of his victims, unless they paid him large sums to prevent their disclosure. At this point, a servant announced Mr. Milton.
		3. Se situó al lado de la puerta... — El señor Milton entró en la estancia y después de saludar, dijo al detective: — La cantidad que exijo para entregar a V. los documentos que comprometen a Lady Elli, son treinta mil duros. — Le ofrezco diez mil duros por ellos. — Lo siento mucho, — replicó Milton — pero me veré obligado a entregarlos al Marqués, quien en vista de ellos romperá toda suerte de relaciones con ella. — Holmes dió un salto y dirijiéndose a Watson exclamó — ¡No le dejéis escapar! Pero Milton con un rápido movimiento se situó al lado de la puerta y apuntando con un revólver al detective dijo: Sin duda creían Vds. cojerme de sorpresa; Además tampoco llevo encima los documentos. Por lo tanto no tengo que añadir nada a lo dicho — Y desapareció de la habitación. 3. He stood next to the door... — Mr. Milton entered the room and, after greeting the detective, said: — The sum I demand for the documents that incriminate Lady Elli is 30,000 pounds. — I offer you 10,000 pounds for them. — I'm very sorry, — replied Milton, — but I will be obliged to hand them over to the Marquess, who, upon seeing them, will sever all ties with her. — Holmes jumped up and, turning to Watson, exclaimed, — Don't let him get away! But Milton, with a swift movement, stood beside the door and, pointing a revolver at the detective, said: — You certainly thought you had taken me by surprise; besides, I don't have the documents with me. Therefore, I have nothing more to add to what has already been said. — And he disappeared from the room.
		4. Un joven vestido de obreto... — Después de la anterior escena Holmes quedó pensativo como quien medita el plan que debe seguir para llegar al logro de sus deseos. Watson no se atrevía a dirigirle la palabra a fin de no distraerle en sus meditaciones. Al cabo de largo rato, Holmes se levantó de su asiento con la cabeza erguida y el rostro radiante como quien ya ha formado su plan y dirigiéndose a una habitación contigua desapareció. Al poco rato salió de aquella un joven vestido de obrero, dirigióse a la mesa llenó la pipa, la encendió y volviéndose a Watson que le miraba atentamente, dijo — ¡Volvere! Y sin decir nada mas salió dirigiéndose a la calle. 4. A young man dressed as a laborer — After the previous scene, Holmes remained thoughtful, like someone pondering the plan he must follow to achieve his desires. Watson didn't dare speak to Holmes so as not to distract him from his thoughts. After a long while, Holmes rose from his seat, head held high and face beaming, like someone who had finally formed his plan, and went to an adjoining room. A short while later, a young man dressed as a laborer appeared, stepped into the room, filled his pipe, lit it, and turning to Watson, who was watching him intently, said, — I shall return! And without another word, he left, heading for the street.
		5. Para ello empezó a enamorar a la criada — Pasados algunos días Holmes dió cuenta a Watson de su plan: este consistía en apoderarse de los documentos que comprometían a Lady Ellie y que Milton tenía: para ello empezó a enamorar a la criada de éste, consiguiéndolo de tal modo que a los pocos días logró conocer en sus menores detalles el interior de la casa de su adversario y saber sus costumbres. Sabido todo esto no había más que determinar el día en que se apoderaría de los documentos. Determinaron hacerlo aquella misma noche a las doce, pues Milton tenía la invariable costumbre de acostarse a las diez y media. La caja donde aquel guardaba los documentos estaba en la habitación inmediata a su dormitorio y como Milton tenia un sueño profundo, a pesar de lo arriesgado de la operación, ésta resultaba de fácil ejecución. Llegada la hora tomaron todos los útiles necesarios y se dispusieron a marchar. 5. To this end, he began to seduce the maid — After a few days, Holmes revealed his plan to Watson: it consisted of seizing the documents that compromised Lady Ellie and that Milton possessed. To this end, he began to seduce Milton's maid, succeeding so successfully that within a few days he knew every detail of his adversary's house and his habits. Having learned all this, all that remained was to determine the day on which to seize the documents. They decided to do it that very night at midnight, as Milton had the invariable habit of going to bed at half past ten. The box where he kept the documents was in the room next to his bedroom, and since Milton was a deep sleeper, despite the risk of the operation, it was easy to carry out. When the time came, they gathered all the necessary tools and prepared to leave.
		6. Abrieron la verja y penetraroa en el jardin... — A cierta distancia tomaron un coche que los condujo al barrio donde vivía Milton. Al llegar a esta siguieron a pie hasta el chalet de aquel. Con una llave que Holmes tenia, abrieron la verja y penetraron en el jardin: siguiendo los paseos y por entre las sombras de los arboles llegaron a una puerta que comunicaba con el interior de la casa. Alli se aseguraron de las armas de fuego que llevaban y se cubrieron la cara con un antifaz. Hecho esto abrieron la puerta y penetraron dentro: como que el detective en sus entrevistas con la criada ya habia recorrido toda la casa, sabia por donde tenia que ir para llegar al despacho de Milton. E fuego que ardia en la chimenea iluminaba el suelo y las paredes por lo cual veían perfectamente todo cuanto habia en la habitación: es el centro una mesa de trabajo y enfrente, adosada a la pared, una gran caja de hierro, armarios con libros, sillas, etc., completaban al mobiliario. 6. They opened the gate and entered the garden... — At a certain distance, they took a car that drove them to the neighborhood where Milton lived. Upon arriving, they followed the path to his house. With a key Holmes possessed, they opened the gate and entered the garden: following the paths and through the shadows of the trees, they reached a door that led to the interior of the house. There, they secured the firearms they were carrying and covered their faces with masks. Having done this, they opened the door and entered: as the detective had already explored the entire house during his interviews with the maid, he knew which way to go to reach Milton's study. The fire burning in the fireplace illuminated the floor and walls, so they could see perfectly everything in the room: in the center was a work table, and opposite it, against the wall, a large iron box; cabinets with books, chairs, etc., completed the furnishings.
		7. Púsose a abrir la puerta de la caja de hierro... — Holmes se dirigió al dormitorio de Milton escuchó atentamente y nada oyó. Seguro de que podía obrar sin cuidado alguno, dió las necesarias instrucciones a Watson para el caso de una sorpresa Saco de su bolsillo un estuche y de el varias herramientas con las que púsose a abrir la puerta de la caja de hierro, Energicamente trabajo durante media bora hasta que la puerta pudo abrirse sin dificultad alguna. En los departamentos de la caja habia multitud de paquetes sellados y con un rotulo cada uno. ¡Aquellos eran los documentos que tenían aterradas a tantas victimas! De pronto Holmes se puso a escuchar: en un momento volvió a colocar los paquetes en su sitio, cerró la puerta de la caja y llamanda a Watson se escondieron detras de una cortina que habia delante de la ventana. Un ruido de pasos sebalaba un nuevo visitante. 7. He proceeded to open the iron box door... — Holmes went to Milton's bedroom, listened intently, and heard nothing. Certain that he could act without any care, he gave Watson the necessary instructions in case of a surprise. He took a watch from his pocket and several tools with which he began to open the iron box door. He worked energetically for half an hour until the door opened without any difficulty. In the compartments of the box were a multitude of sealed packages, each labelled. These were the documents that terrified so many victims! Suddenly Holmes began to listen: in a moment, he quickly put the packages back in their place, closed the box door, and Watson and his companion hid behind a curtain in front of the window. A clanging noise signalled a new visitor.
		8. Que empulaba un pequeño revolver... — Con sumo cuidado Holmes entreabrió los cortinajes y con gran sorpresa vió que quien acababa de entrar era Milton. ¡Y ellos que creian que estaba en la cama y profundamente dormido! Milton se dirigió a la mesa, se sentó en el ancho sillón y abriendo uno de los cajones sacó unos papeles que se puso a examinar. Al cabo de un rato Milton daba muestras de impaciencia consultando el reloj a menudo. Indudablemente esperaba a alguien. De pronto Holmes vió abrirse la puerta del despacho y una mujer vestida de negro y con un largo velo qué la cubría se dirigió hacia Milton. Este se levantó y exclamó: — ¡Por fin! ¡habéis venido! — Si — respondió la dama, levantando su velo — vengo a entregaros el precio de vuestra infamia — y con un movimiento rápido levantó la mano que empuñaba un pequeño revolver disparando todas sus cápsulas sobre el cuerpo de Milton que sin exhalar una queja cayó pesadamente sobre el sillón 8. Who was wielding a small revolver... — With the utmost care, Holmes parted the curtains and, to his great surprise, saw that the one who had just entered was Milton. And they, who had thought him in bed and fast asleep, Milton went to the table, sat down in the wide armchair, and opening one of the drawers, took out some papers which he began to examine. After a while, Milton showed signs of impatience, frequently checking his watch. He was undoubtedly waiting for someone. Suddenly, Holmes saw the study door open and a woman dressed in black, with a long veil covering her, approached Milton. He stood up and exclaimed: — At last! You have come! — Yes, — replied the lady, lifting her veil, — I have come to deliver the price of your infamy — and with a swift movement, she raised the hand that held a small revolver, firing all its cartridges into Milton's body, who, without uttering a complaint, fell heavily back into the armchair.
		9. Buscaros un sisio por donde escalario... — Repuestos de la sorpresa que les había causado la anterior escena, Holmes y Watson salieron de su escondite al mismo tiempo que la dama desaparecía del despacho cerrando la puerta tras de si. Rápido como el pensamiento, Holmes cerró las puertas por dentro y volviendose a la caja la habrio sacando de ella todos los papeles arrojándolos al fuego. Luego fue a la mesa hizo lo mismo con los que en ella habia de esta manera se consumió aquel cúmulo de pruebas infamatorias, devolviendo en un momento la tranquilidad a las victimas del que acababa de expiar sus crimenes En tanto los criados atraidos por las detonaciones golpeaban las puertas para entrar en la habitación. Los dos amigos abrieron la que daba al jardin, salieron cerrandola por fuera, y dirigiéndose al muro buscaron un sitio por donde escalarlo, hallándose a los pocos momentos en la parte opuesta y libres de toda persecución. 9. Find a place to climb... — Recovering from the surprise caused by the previous scene, Holmes and Watson left their hiding place at the same time as the lady disappeared from the office, closing the door behind her. Quick as thought, Holmes closed the doors from the inside and, turning to the box, opened it, taking out all the papers and throwing them into the fire. Then he went to the table and did the same with what was on it. In this way, that mass of incriminating evidence was consumed, restoring tranquillity for a moment to the victims of the one who had just atoned for his crimes. Meanwhile, the cries, attracted by the explosions, pounded on the doors to enter the room. The two friends opened the one that led to the garden, went out, closing it behind them, and, bending down to the wall, looked for a place to climb, finding themselves a few moments later on the opposite side and free from all pursuit.
		10. Al senor Stapleton, inspector de policia... — Al día siguiente de los sucesos que acabamos de relatar, Holmes y Watson se hallaban almorzando tranquilamente cuando un criado anunció al señor Stapleton, inspector de policia. Una vez en presencia de los dos amigos, el Inspector suplicó al detective que le acompañase a Regent's Street con el fin de hacer indagaciones respecto a un crimen cometido la noche anterior en la persona de Milton. Holmes pretextó ocupaciones muy perentorias para no ir allí, alegando además que como conocia perfectamente el infame trabajo a que Milton se dedicaba no queria mezclarse en un asunto en el que simpatizaba más con le asesinos que con la victima. Asi terminó esta aventura sin que nadie llegase a sospechar los misterios de tan tenebroso drama. 10. To Mr. Stapleton, Inspector of Police... — The day after the events we have just related, Holmes and Watson were having a quiet lunch when a servant announced Mr. Stapleton, Inspector of Police. Once in the presence of the two friends, the Inspector begged the detective to accompany him to Regeni's Street in order to make inquiries regarding a crime committed the previous night against Milson. Holmes feigned very pressing matters to avoid going there, arguing further that, as he was perfectly aware of the infamous work Milton engaged in, he did not wish to involve himself in a matter in which he sympathized more with the murderer than with the victim. Thus ended this adventure without anyone suspecting the mysteries of such a dark drama.