The Parish Magazine No. 5
The Parish Magazine No. 5 is the newsletter of the The Arthur Conan Doyle Society published in august 1991.
The Parish Magazine No. 5
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE SOCIETY
ISSUE NUMBER FIVE: AUGUST 1991
Editorial
When the Scottish branch of the Federation of Master Builders chose to commission a statue of Sherlock Holmes, as a way of acknowledging Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's connections with Edinburgh, and also to commemorate the Centenary of the Federation, Doyleans had good reason to be pleased — even if many of us would have regarded a statue of ACD as a more suitable tribute.
The lack of publicity surrounding the unveiling itself was as remarkable as the Federation's failure to either acknowledge, or even consult, those who continue to work to promote the name of Conan Doyle. The list of people who declined the Federation's invitation to unveil the statue is a Who's Who in its own right and yet the Federation decided to make capital of this major snub by announcing that they had buried, beneath the statue, a time capsule which contained the letters of rejection from the prominent people concerned.
It is to be hoped that the Federation was more accurate in its dating of the documents placed inside the time capsule than it was with the detail of Conan Doyle's life which had been engraved on the plaque affixed to the statue. There, ACD's birth date was announced as 22 May 1841, some eighteen years before his actual arrival into the world on 22 May 1859.
The Federation could have been spared embarrassment had it chosen to consult with us rather than to blithely ignore the approaches which were made when news of the statue project was first released.
The knowledge which exists within The Arthur Conan Doyle Society is readily available to those who are considering ventures of this nature. Our expertise would have helped to avoid so farcical a situation and our involvement may, perhaps, have ensured that the press, always willing to treat our Sherlockian colleagues with tongue-in-cheek journalism, would have been able, for once, to give prominence to the creator rather than the creation.
Dame Jean Conan Doyle's observations at the recent opening of the Sherlock Holmes Museum in Meiringen, that there were too few references to her father, emphasise, once again, how easy it is just to play the game.' Thankfully, recent trends particularly with The Northern Musgraves in England — seem to indicate a keenness to temper 'the game' by acknowledging that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was the creator of Sherlock Holmes rather than the Literary Agent of a fictional Doctor Watson. The genius which created Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson deserves wider recognition than Sherlockian enthusiasts have been prepared to allow it in the past and it is all the more pleasing, therefore, to see recognition emanating from within Sherlockian groups.
As awareness of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society grows, its objectives will become that much easier to achieve. We are fortunate in the quality of our membership, and it seems that quality, rather than quantity, should be our aim. Having said that, however, membership is set to reach 250 for the first time and there has been a remarkably low level of non-renewals following this year's subscription reminders.
This issue of The Parish Magazine announces various opportunities to help the Society grow still further, and offers members the first items in the Society's range of merchandise. Each purchase will benefit the Society in a small way, enabling us to promote ourselves on a wider scale than has previously been possible.
The latter half of 1991 promises to be an exciting time: the Society's joint publishing venture with Marylebone Library (details appear elsewhere in the newsletter) is well underway, and publication of the facsimile of the holograph manuscript of The Dying Detective is scheduled for September. August sees the publication of two important works: Cannongate of Edinburgh is issuing The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard in a new paperback edition with an introduction by Owen Dudley Edwards; and MacMillan looks set to finally produce Professor Harold Orel's Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Interviews and Recollections. In September, Robinson will offer Peter Costello's The Real World of Sherlock Holmes The True Crime Casebooks of Arthur Conan Doyle. Oxford University Press has two major volumes of interest due to be in the shops before Christmas: Strange Tales from The Strand and Detective Stories from The Strand — between them, these two books contain some fifty four stories, including six from ACD. Then, as a seasonal treat for Society members, something very special is being planned to drop on your mats just before Christmas. I think I detect more than just a little interest in ACD!
DAVID KIRBY
David Kirby, who was known and respected by everyone with an interest in the books of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, died suddenly on 3 June 1991. Our world has been saddened by the news, and we have all lost a very good friend. The Society would like to extend its sympathy to David's wife, Paula.
News from Crowborough
by Malcolm Payne
Curator, The Conan Doyle (Crowborough) Establishment
Our first appearance in The Parish Magazine (Issue 4) resulted in even more contacts, requests for information, and visitors to The Conan Doyle Room. We are pleased to thank Christopher Roden for allowing us this facility, and for his support to our aims. It seems we are beginning to become more into the public eye. In the final days of December 1990, we appeared in a feature by Maev Kennedy in The Guardian, complete with picture of yours truly, noted in the caption as 'a fan'! Earlier we had featured in Psychic News, with the accent on some of our exhibits revealing Sir Arthur's interests in the after-life.
January saw us with the Conan Doyle Room filled with lights and cameras from TVS, who featured us on Coast to Coast. In the same month, BBC Radio Sussex did a number of features on us and our activities. This was followed by similar broadcasts on other radio programmes. We have also featured much in the Sussex press, and more local papers. All of this is good publicity, and has given more people the opportunity to use our services. It has also given many the idea that we are a commercial concern: nothing could be more wrong or further from the point. We are here as a service, collecting, collating, indexing, and storing information, artifacts and memorabilia, including photographs etc., recording some of Sir Arthur's life and work. This we can use to give the widest possible idea to writers, students, and the press on almost any aspect of Conan Doyle. We ask no fee for this but do give those who require such information the opportunity to make a donation to our Arthur Conan Doyle Memorial Fund. We do not produce souvenirs; we do not reproduce our photographs for collectors; but we can supply copies to illustrate press features and there is a reproduction fee for this service.
We have reached a point where we can no longer reply unless return postage is enclosed with enquiries. So far this year, over £180 has been spent in replying to people who needed help. None of the cash used in funding the Conan Doyle (Crowborough) Establishment comes from our funds. All funds required, be they for up-keep, postage, stationery, publicity world-wide etc., come from my own earnings in the writing field. We aim to keep all cash that does come into our Memorial Fund for the memorial no expenses have been taken out, or will be taken out, until the memorial is erected. Those abroad can enclose International Reply Coupons (IRCs) which are available from your Post Office. One coupon will bring you up to 10 gms weight of reply (1 A4 sheet + 1 envelope) by surface mail. If you want a heavier, or air mail, reply you MUST put in more IRCs to cover. Or we can send up to 3 sheets of information and air mail reply for a $5 (US) bill or equivalent.
The memorial plans take shape slowly. We still await full planning permission, but this now appears to be but a formality. We have had to change our stone to be of granite, and smaller in size than we initially anticipated, all to please planners. We have also had to select a safer site, still central, on a landscaped area of the town known as Terrace Montargis, and dedicated to our French twin town. We felt we could accommodate both changes, granite from Edinburgh the birth place, and the French connection to the ancestors. Funds still come in, albeit slowly, as a recognition of conditions in general, no doubt.
Bad news on the book Conan Doyle in Crowborough another publisher has gone out of business. North Weald Publications, who were dealing with the book, no longer function. The photographs, and type-set script are with the printers, Baker Bond of Walsall, and at present we are trying to get them back. It may take some long time. We now feel we have more information to add, plus other illustrations we can put with those already chosen. This means that the book, two years into its tries at publication, will be withdrawn for a complete overhaul and rescript. How long this takes will depend on when/if we get the present photographs back. One could be forgiven for feeling there could be such things as jinx. We remain optimistic however. In the meantime, we have presented a number of MSS of articles written for publication in the UK and US, to the Marylebone Library.
E. W. Hornung — The Final Chapter?
Members will recall the correspondence which has been exchanged in an effort to halt the levelling of E. W. Hornung's grave at St. Jean de Luz. Mr. Stephen Hornung has now advised me that he has authorised work to repair the whole grave, with new foundations, and work will commence as soon as possible.
It is encouraging to think that The Arthur Conan Doyle Society has been able to play a small part in ensuring that a part of our literary heritage has been preserved and will continue for some years to come. Our thanks to our colleagues around the world who joined us in publicising the problem.
Christmas Caption Competition
The Christmas Caption Competition, based on two of Sidney Paget's illustrations for The Final Problem, produced an interesting response.
The winner is Michael W. Homer of Utah, U.S.A. whose two suggested captions were considered to be of most Doylean relevance. Michael's captions were as follows:
Picture 1:
Watson: 'Holmes, where did the train go?'
Holmes: 'Elementary. It was 'The Lost Special.' We shall have to work under cover on this one!'
Picture 2:
Holmes: 'Moriarty, who sent you to do this to me?'
Moriarty: 'Conan Doyle! He said he has more serious literary matters to pursue!'
Congratulations Michael. A copy of The Conan Doyle Stories is on its way to you.
Gaslight Publications
The ACD Society is now able to offer Gaslight Publications' 'Conan Doyle Centennial Series' to British members. Titles published to date are: The Mystery of Cloomber, The Firm of Girdlestone, The Tragedy of The Korosko, The Stark Munro Letters, The Doings of Raffles Haw, Beyond The City and A Duet — with an occasional chorus.
Each volume is handsomely bound and is complete with an authoritative afterword.
A full review of the Centennial series, and other Gaslight titles, will appear in the Autumn issue of ACD.
Meanwhile, orders are being taken for any of the titles mentioned above, although it will be a few weeks before initial supplies arrive from America. Contact Christopher Roden for further information.
Wanted
Christopher Roden is keen to hear from anyone who can offer a copy of Trevor H. Hall's Ten Literary Studies and Ernst & Carrington's Houdini and Conan Doyle which they no longer need. Please contact CR at 'Grasmere', 35 Penfold Way, Dodleston, Chester CH4 9ML (Tel: 0244-660988).
Allen Mackler, 324 2nd St. NE, Osseo, MN 55369, USA is looking for a copy of The War in South Africa, Its Causes and Conduct. Allen will be quite happy with any edition of this book, but his preference is for a 'reading copy' in good condition. Please contact him direct with any offers.
Michael Digby, 3 Barrymore Walk, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 8YF has asked if anyone can help him to complete his set of Carleton Hobbs/Norman Shelley recordings of the BBC Radio series of Sherlock Holmes stories. He's looking for six or seven titles. Please telephone Michael on 0268 777554 if you can help.
Periquito Hotel, Barnsley, South Yorkshire
An Introduction to Conan Doyle Evening
British members will already have received details of the special evening which is being arranged jointly by The Arthur Conan Doyle Society and The Northern Musgraves in conjunction with Periquito Hotels on 21 September.
Originally, Periquito Hotels asked us to arrange a themed dinner but, following discussions, the hotel will be at our disposal from early afternoon on Saturday 21 September until late morning on Sunday 22 September.
The hotel is offering remarkable value for money. A three-course Victorian banquet and overnight accommodation for an inclusive £25 per head. We have now arranged that afternoon tea will be available on Saturday for a small supplement, and the hotel also offers facilities for Sunday lunch should anyone which to partake before the journey home.
The programme for the weekend is now being drawn up. We plan to include discussions, a presentation of David Stuart Davies' play Fixed Point: The life and death of Sherlock Holmes, and readings from a variety of ACD's works. There will be an opportunity to inspect and purchase many of the latest publications and, in addition, both Societies will have a range of merchandise available.
Full details of the programme will be issued in due course to those attending. If you have not already booked, don't delay. Contact the hotel direct, enclosing £25 in payment of your booking:
Kevin Williams, General Manager, Periquito Hotel, Regent Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2HQ. (Tel. 0226-731010).
The Arthur Conan Doyle Society Lapel Pin
At long last, and in response to many requests, the Society now has its own lapel pin.
Each pin bears the attractive 'ACD' motif (as it appears on the cover of the Journal), and is available either in sterling silver or 18ct gold-plated finish.
A full specification is as follows:
The Arthur Conan Doyle Society lapel pin; sterling silver with hardened silver pin or 18ct gold-plated; silver or gold design on black background; individually hand carved monogram and 100% hand crafted and finished; cold enamel gloss finish; self-locking security button (silver version has a silver coloured button with detachable chain and bar); individually gift-boxed; size 20 x 15mm oval; made to individual order.
Prices, which include postage and packing, are as follows:
| Silver | Gold-Plated | |
|---|---|---|
| U.K. | £24.25 | £23.25 |
| Europe | £25.00 | £24.00 |
| U.S.A. & Rest of world | £25.30 | £24.30 |
Orders, enclosing full payment, should be sent to:
Roger Worland, Touchstone Jewellery, 49 Bouldrewood Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 5UA
The following payment methods are acceptable:
- (1) In sterling, drawn on a U.K. Bank
- (2) In U.S. Dollars, drawn on a U.S. Bank (Rate of Exchange =1.75)
- (3) In Eurocheques drawn in sterling on a European Bank
- (4) By Girocheque
Cufflinks, in the same design, could be made available on enquiry. Orders will normally be despatched within 28 days.
An order form is enclosed with this issue of The Parish Magazine.
Notes from a Lumber-Room
by Catherine Cooke
'A man should keep his little brain attic stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library where he can get it if he wants.' — Five Orange Pips
Inevitably, I suppose, media attention over the last few months has been directed to the Sherlock Holmes Society of London's recent trip to Switzerland and to the opening of the Meiringen Sherlock Holmes Museum. It was a refreshing change, therefore, when a cutting, albeit from March this year, dropped out of a letter not long ago.
Teresa McLean's short item The strange case of the flaming flannels (Financial Times, 2 March 1991, Sport section) was a rapid, slightly quirky overview of Conan Doyle's sporting activities, focussing on cricket in particular, and pointing out his excellence at both cricket and football. The first incident recounted is a well-known one: the inspiration behind The Story of Spedegue's Dropper, though why the story is regarded as 'bizarre' by Ms McLean is beyond me. (Briefly, for anyone who has not heard it, the incident occurred when Conan Doyle was playing for J. M. Barrie's Allahakbarries (Barrie's Heaven Help Us Brigade). A. P. Lucas, bowling to Conan Doyle, presented him with an unplayable ball that 'fell from the clouds', got him out both bowled and hit wicket and caused him to break his bat into the bargain).
The incidents chosen seem very much to have been picked on for their bizarre or outré features. The time Conan Doyle was bowling against United Holland at the Hague is recounted, but the point is less his successful bowling which caused the last four players to be caught out, thus saving the game, than the fact that his enthusiastic colleagues, moved to carrying him off the field in triumph, dropped him (due, it is maintained, to his sixteen stone weight). The little silver hat given to honour his three consecutive clean-bowled wickets against the gentlemen of Warwick receives brief mention, it is true, but is related to one of his victims complaining about Conan Doyle's pink shirt, an incident which, from Memories and Adventures, seems to come from a different match; this victim's defence, that he had thought Conan Doyle left-handed, is perhaps too tame. Another incident chosen from the cricketing side is when
Walter Bradley, Kent's fast bowler, bowled a ball which hit Conan Doyle on the thigh, igniting a tin of matches in his pocket. Ms McLean remarks 'He was peeved when he discovered that he was not the first to have had this happen to him,' and wonders if Conan Doyle had acted deliberately in carrying the matches in his pocket, hoping for a fire.
Though only briefly mentioned, Conan Doyle's other sporting activities receive the same treatment. Eugene Sandow is referred to as 'a fanatic' in training 'whose muscle-building techniques included rolling cars over and chucking cannon-balls about'. While boxing and skiing receive only passing mentions, Ms McLean maintains that Conan Doyle 'helped to satisfy his taste for the frozen by going on whaling expeditions to the Arctic'. This seems something of an exaggeration if it refers to the one voyage on the whaler Hope as ship's surgeon, undertaken for practical medical experience, and which he was asked to take on by a fellow student. Ms McLean then goes to the other extreme by referring to Conan Doyle enjoying 'many other forms of fishing'. Referring to whaling as 'fishing' strikes me as a distinct understatement, if not, zoologically, downright inaccurate (though it is an error Conan Doyle himself makes). More to the point, Conan Doyle only says in his autobiography that he was 'in sympathy' with fishing. Conan Doyle's shooting receives a few lines as well — the fact that he once shot his gardener by accident is noted with glee, as is a gadget he once invented, a cross between spring-gun and matchbox, which apparently set fire to the billiard-room. 'Undaunted, he reached the third round of the amateur billiards championship', Ms McLean continues.
One might very well ask why, in an article on Conan Doyle's sporting achievements, there is no mention of some of his real achievements? Where, for example, is there mention of the Conan Doyle Cup, a squadded competition, shot on the middle Saturday of the two weeks of the National Rifle Association (Imperial) Meeting? The cup was presented by his friend Sir John Langman (and I am indebted to fellow ACD Society member David Bentata for the details here). The competition normally attracts over 1,000 competitors from all over the Commonwealth. Squadded, by the way, means that there is a set time and target on which to shoot. Two competitors take it in turns to shoot at the target, which is now 1,000 yards away though, until recently, it was only 900 yards away. The bull's eye at this distance is 24" across and the total visible black circular aiming mark against the white of the rest of the target 40" across. Two sighting shots are permitted, then 10 shots which count. Each bull's eye scores 5 marks, the highest possible score being 50. Being an outdoors event, the vagaries of the weather have their part to play sun, rain, wind or whatever. The prize, donated by Sir Arthur in 1906, is a Challenge Statuette and £40 cash. Medals are also awarded.
The point of the Financial Times article comes out in the final paragraph: 'Doyle needed to be odd. He made a career out of eccentricity and cricket was his ideal field of play, providing him with infinite opportunities for oddities, and his friends and spectators with the chance to see a memorable cricketing eccentric in action, a man for whom a straight bat might well mean a bat facing straight up to the sky'. 'Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent' — and many perfectly normal people can recount odd or bizarre incidents, which have occurred in their lives. (Having breakfast submerged to the shoulders in a Swiss swimming pool springs to my mind as one of those in mine, but that is another story). This does not mean that they set out to be eccentric. Conan Doyle, while admitting to being 'a second-rater in all things' since he never specialised, wrote in his autobiography that he had had as much fun out of sport as many an adept.' Surely this was one of his motives — enjoyment? 'Sport,' he wrote, 'gives health and strength, but above all it gives a certain balance of mind without which a man is not complete. To give and to take, to accept success modestly and defeat bravely, to fight against odds, to stick to one's point, to give credit to your enemy and value your friend these are some of the lessons which true sport should impart.' One wonders just who made Conan Doyle's career eccentric, Conan Doyle or, perhaps, Teresa McLean?
David Kirby
It was with shock and a deep sense of sadness that I learnt of Dave Kirby's death from a heart attack on Monday 3 June at the age of 43. Dave was known to Doyleans and Sherlockians the world over as the proprietor of Rupert Books. His knowledge of his subject was immense and his advice could always be trusted; if a book was to be had on the second-hand market, Dave seemed to be able to turn it up sooner or later. I once remember suggesting to a publisher that he try Rupert Books for all the Strand Magazines containing Holmes stories; Dave supplied them within a few weeks. But the strength of Rupert Books was not only in the second-hand market — Dave dealt regularly with America and supplied material normally nearly impossible to obtain through the standard channels in this country, as well as removing all the hassles associated with raising cheques in foreign currency. He was always willing to track down some small, privately printed pamphlet. He invariably seemed cheerful, despite a history of heart problems. He was a mine of information about Sherlockian and Doylean goings-on and, in the six years or so during which I regularly dealt with him, made my life a lot easier. His kind are not easily found and his death leaves a major void in the world of Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes.
The Arthur Conan Doyle Society Membership Questionnaire 1991
As an aid to planning and, of course, to gauge opinion, it would be helpful to us if you would reply to this questionnaire as soon as possible. A reply form is enclosed to save your mutilating your copy of The Parish Magazine.
1. What prompted you to join The Arthur Conan Doyle Society?
- (a) An interest in Sherlock Holmes
- (b) An interest in, and desire to find out more about, Arthur Conan Doyle (c) Other (please specify)
2. To what extent do you feel that the Society's Journal has improved your knowledge of ACD?
- (a) Considerably
- (b) A little
- (c) Not at all
- (d) Other (please specify)
3. Regarding the Society's Journal, which regular features do you most enjoy? (Specify one or more)
- (a) The Inner Room
- (b) Retrospect
- (c) In Conversation With...
- (d) Through The Magic Door
- (e) A Point of Contact
- (f) A Duet, with an Occasional Chorus
4. Which major articles, or series of articles, which have appeared in the Journal's first four issues, did you most enjoy?
5. Please indicate your views on the balance of articles dealing with ACD's spiritualist interests which have appeared in the first four issues of the Journal:
- (a) Too many articles on spiritualism
- (b) Balanced selection of articles
- (c) Too few articles on spiritualism
6. Please indicate your views on the balance of articles dealing with Sherlock Holmes which have appeared in the first four issues of the Journal:
- (a) Too many articles related to Sherlock Holmes
- (b) Balanced selection of articles
- (c) Too few articles related to Sherlock Holmes
7. Of the many topics relating to ACD which we have not, so far, covered in the Journal, which would you most like to read?
8. How do you think that the Society's Journal could be improved?
9. Do you feel that the Society's publications offer value for money?
10. Which is your favourite story/collection of ACD's non-Sherlockian works?
11. Do you, within the next twelve months, intend to submit an article for publication?
12. Ilow important do you regard the publication of 'Letters to the Editors'?
- (a) Very important
- (b) Quite important
- (c) Not at all important
13. Do you feel that the Society's publications help you to find out what is going on in the Doylean/Sherlockian world?
14. How do you regard your own knowledge of ACD?
- (a) Very knowledgeable
- (b) Quite knowledgeable
- (c) Interested, but not very knowledgeable
- (d) A beginner
15. What suggestions would you like to make regarding the way the Society operates? Should the Society hold regular meetings? Would you attend?
And finally, remember that The Arthur Conan Doyle Society is your Society. Please feel free to contact us at any time with suggestions, letters, and articles for both ACD and The Parish Magazine. Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire.
The Dying Detective Facsimile Project
The joint project between The Arthur Conan Doyle Society and City of Westminster Marylebone Library is due to reach its climax in September with the publication of the facsimile edition of Conan Doyle's manuscript of The Dying Detective.
Members will recall that two manuscripts have been loaned to the library's Sherlock Holmes Collection the second being The Lion's Mane. The owner has now consented to facsimile editions, thus providing the first opportunity for a publication of this nature since Marvin P. Epstein's The Adventure of The Priory School in 1985. It is understood that a facsimile of The Lion's Mane will be published as a joint project between Marylebone Library and The Sherlock Holmes Society of London sometime in 1992.
The Dying Detective will have two editions, each with an Introduction by the Society's President, Mr. Julian Symons, and an Afterword by Mr. Owen Dudley Edwards.
The De Luxe Edition, limited to one hundred copies, individually numbered, will be signed by Julian Symons, Owen Dudley Edwards and Dame Jean Conan Doyle. Casebound in light cream buckram, with sewn binding, dust jacket and a slip case to match the binding, the front cover will be blocked in black with a facsimile of ACD's manuscript endorsement. The signature sheet will be tipped in.
The Standard Edition will have an initial print run of five hundred copies and will be un-numbered and un-signed. Casebound in a paper to simulate vellum, with sewn binding, this edition will be presented in a dust jacket.
Orders for the De Luxe Edition will be dealt with strictly as they are received. Please make sure that you return the order form enclosed with this Journal, as soon as possible, to avoid disappointment. All orders must be accompanied by payment in full. Books will be despatched following the publication launch in early September.
Price Information is given in the enclosed publicity flyer and order form.
The Arthur Conan Doyle Tie
The Society now has available a small number of the attractive tie bearing a facsimile of the signature of A. Conan Doyle. The tie, navy blue with the signature in gold, in a good quality polyester, is a splendid way of identifying your interest in ACD. At the present time, supplies of the tie are limited to British and European members of the Society. US and Canadian members should contact Bob Hess at 559 Potter Blvd., Brightwaters, NY 11718.
The cost of the tie is a very reasonable £ 9.75 including postage. Cheques should be made payable to The Arthur Conan Doyle Society.
The Sherlock Holmes Gazette
The second issue of this exciting new magazine is now on sale. SHG looks set to become a regular purchase by anyone interested in Holmes and his world. Elizabeth Wiggins, the Gazette's editor also promises regular features on ACD. Go on, spoil yourself a subscription is well worth while. Contact Theme Publications, 5 Park Road, London NW1.
Laboromnia Launches Bust of Conan Doyle
Jack Stoddart's Laboromnia has announced the launch of a solid bronze bust of ACD. The bust, mounted on a slate plinth, with a plaque bearing the wording 'Steel True, Blade Straight. Knight, Physician, Man of Letters' will make a very attractive addition to any collection. The price is £140 plus freighting costs.
For further information contact Jack Stoddart, Laboromnia & Co., 15 Wallingford Avenue, London W10 6QA. (Tel. 081-969-1588)
The David Kirby Memorial Essay Competition
A brief announcement of the death of Dave Kirby appears elsewhere in this newsletter. Dave was known, loved and respected within Doylean and Sherlockian circles, and it has come as little surprise that a number of people have enquired whether anything specific is intended to acknowledge the benefit which Dave enabled so many of us to derive from our particular hobby.
Rupert Books has disappeared, leaving a void in the Doylean and Sherlockian world but I am pleased to announce that, with the whole-hearted support of Dave's widow, The Arthur Conan Doyle Society will run an annual 'David Kirby Memorial Essay Competition' which will be open to all-comers, whether or not they are members of the Society.
Indications are that a number of Dave's friends would like to make a small donation to assist in launching the competition which, it is intended, will be self-financing from year to year. It is envisaged that a prize of £100 will be offered for the winning essay on a topic related to Conan Doyle (Sherlockian or non-Sherlockian, but strictly no pastiche); that there will be runners-up prizes, and that the best dozen or so essays will be published in book form and sold to finance the following year's competition.
If you would like to support this venture, by means of a small donation, you will be helping to ensure that the competition becomes the fitting tribute we would wish it to be. Donations, in favour of 'The David Kirby Memorial Essay Competition' should be sent to The Arthur Conan Doyle Society, 'Grasmere', 35 Penfold Way, Dodleston, Chester CH4 9ML, England.
Full details, entry forms etc., will be available before the end of the year, and the closing date for entries for the first year's competition will be 31 May 1992.
If you want to ensure that you receive details and an entry form as soon as they become available, please write to me, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope (or sufficient LRCS if writing from outside the UK).
Mr. Owen Dudley Edwards and Mr. Richard Lancelyn Green have already indicated that they are willing to join the competition judging panel.
Book News
BOOK NEWS adopts a slightly different format for this issue in a space-saving exercise. It is hoped that you will find all of the following information of use and interest.:
Return to the Lost World (Nicholas Nye; The Self Publishing Assn (1991); 256pp; £13.95): It had to happen sooner or later we now have a pastiche of Professor Challenger which sees the intrepid heros returning to South America. Their adventures lead to the discovery of an underground city, a prehistoric death ray and see Malone seduced by the Ape Queen. Disappointing to see ACD's characters handled in this way. Not recommended.
Sherlock Holmes and the Hentzau Affair (David Stuard Davies; Ian Henry Publications (1991); £9.95: A dual pastiche involving Holmes and Anthony Hope's Rudolf Rassendyll. Colonel Sapt comes to Britain but fails to find Rassendyll who has vanished. Holmes and Watson journey to Ruritania where Holmes plays his part in preventing Rupert of Hentzau's bid for the throne. A fast moving plot, and an enjoyable read.
Fixed Point: The Life and Death of Sherlock Holmes (David Stuart Davies; Thumbprints (1991); 28pp; £4.50 (inc. postage) from David at 'Overdale', 69 Greenhead Road, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 4ER: The revised and expanded version of this short one act play has photographs from the Granada series, a short introduction from Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke's reflections on playing Watson. The action revolves around an interview of Dr. Watson by a brash young reporter. Watson has just learned of Holmes' death. The conception and execution produce a moving experience for anyone with a remote interest in, or knowledge of, Sherlock Holmes.
In August, Macmillan Press will publish Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Interviews and Recollections (Ed. Harold Orel; hardcover £45). 'What emerges most clearly from this anthology of more than fifty selections is that the gusto of Conan Doyle's personality matched the liveliness of his writing style. The selections by writers such as Bram Stoker, Jerome K Jerome and JM Barrie, inclue interviews by many journalists.
On 2 September, Robinson publishes The Real World of Sherlock Holmes — The True Crime Casebook of Arthur Conan Doyle (hardback £14.95). The cases include how ACD indicated the hidden grave in the Moat House Farm case, The Langham Hotel Mystery, George Smith the Brides in the Bath killer, Jack the Ripper, George Edalji and many others.
Eagerly awaited is Canongate's The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, edited and introduced by Owen Dudley Edwards (paperback £5.95), and due to appear in early August. This an other titles will be fully reviewed in the Autumn issue of ACD — The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society.
C.R.
THE PARISH MAGAZINE THE ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE SOCIETY 1991 PUBLISHED FROM 35 PENFOLD WAY, DODLESTON, CHESTER.CH4 9ML, ENGLAND EDITED BY CHRISTOPHER RODEN.
- Article courtesy Christopher Roden, founder of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (1989-2003).
