The Parish Magazine No. 9
The Parish Magazine No. 9 is the newsletter of the The Arthur Conan Doyle Society published in december 1993.
The Parish Magazine No. 9
Australia Post's recent stamp issue.
Andrew Davidson's artwork for a stamp illustrating 'The Cardboard Box'.
Andrew Davidson and Christopher Roden pictured at the launch of the Sherlock Holmes stamps on 11 October 1993.
THE PARISH MAGAZINE
ISSUE NUMBER NINE: DECEMBER 1993
Editorial
The reputation of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society is growing strongly; there can be no doubt about that. That we were the only Society invited to speak at the launch of the Post Office's Sherlock Holmes postage stamps, at Granada Studios in Manchester on 11 October 1993, is just one example of the growing awareness of the Society. The stamp issue itself was one in which the Society was heavily involved. As early as June, Britain's two major producers of First Day Covers approached us to ask if we would allow them to produce covers on behalf of the Society: they would bear the cost for the privilege of working with us. The Society's covers were advertised well in advance of their availability, and the response from members (particularly in North America) was exceptional. We should like to thank all of those who supported the venture, thereby helping the Society in a positive way.
It seemed obvious to us that the Society should be involved in a major stamp issue — even if the subject of that issue was Sherlock Holmes — but we have been made aware of some suggestions that the Society was merely boarding the Sherlock Holmes bandwagon.
Why, one has to ask, should a Society dedicated to the creator of Holmes not play a major part in events dealing with Holmes? We suspect that there is a two-pronged answer: die-hard Sherlockians are hell-bent on defending what they see as their 'territory', and they cannot countenance Holmes in any context other than the Sherlockian 'game'. Both arguments are, of course, nonsensical. The Society has made it clear from the very beginning that Sherlock Holmes has his place in a wider discussion of ACD — not necessarily the major place, but a place nevertheless. And Holmes, as The Oxford Sherlock Holmes has attempted to show, can be very much alive outside the "game".
We have noted that there have been a number of voices raised of late (both in the UK and in North America), supporting the view that Conan Doyle should be given greater acknowledgement by Sherlockians. The feeling appears to be growing a feeling which we whole-heartedly support that Conan Doyle is done a dis-service by those who refuse to admit anything other than that Dr Watson wrote the stories and that ACD was merely the literary agent. It is patently obvious that events in ACD's life bore on what he wrote. And yet, even as recently as September, in a reply to a letter of mine to The Times, an American Sherlockian living in Britain wrote:
- The fact that Conan Doyle's father was an alcoholic, though sad, is of no consequence to true Sherlockians. It is Holmes himself who draws us, not Watson's rather clumsy literary agent, Doyle.
We know that a great number of 'true' Sherlockians would raise their hands in horror at such a suggestion. Indeed, a number of Sherlockian societies now include regular features on ACD in their publications, and even the most cynical among us would not assume that it is because they have exhausted available Sherlockian material. We also know that a great number of 'true' Sherlockians are capable of looking, and do look, far beyond the peaks of their deerstalkers to speak up against so uninformed an opinion.
It does not stop there. There are many ways of enjoying Sherlock Holmes and, more often than not, groups find their enjoyment in organised meetings, at a dinner table, or over a drink. We can all have fun enjoying Sherlock Holmes in our own way. However, just as strong criticism has been levelled at me in recent months because I have voiced dissent over the way in which some Sherlockian societies' meetings offer little choice, so, too, should those levelling the criticism recognise that an opposing viewpoint to their own is equally valid. Societies have a duty to cater for their entire membership. This is what we try to do in The Arthur Conan Doyle Society. We recognise that there are members who are interested in ACD as a war correspondent, just as there are those who are not; those who are interested in, and sometimes those who believe in, Spiritualism, just as there are those who do not; those who want to read about Sherlock Holmes in our Journal, just as there are those who do not. We have always tried to cater for a complete range of tastes and interests, both in publications and at meetings and we shall continue to do so. Those who are now taking the opportunity to speak out against their own particular groups perhaps feel that they do not receive the same consideration from other societies. The world will go in its own way. One cannot help feeling, however, that it would be a better world without the kind of spite, and the amusement some derive from it, which has recently been shown against one particular Sherlockian group — The Franco Midland Hardware Company: attempts have been made, on more than one occasion in the last year, to sabotage that group's meetings by telephoning cancellations to various venues. If that is what is meant by 'playing the game', it is a game in which I, and I suspect a good many others, would rather not be involved.
Christopher Roden
Notes and News
The success of Jurassic Park has brought a resurgence of interest in Conan Doyle's The Lost World. Alan C. Olding reports that on 1 October 1993, Australia Post issued a series of six new stamps under the heading 'Australia's Dinosaur Era'. The stamps feature some of the creatures from the Jurassic Period whose remains have been found in the country. Mr Olding writes, 'In light of the fact that in those days. the southern continents were connected together in one super-continent, "Gondwanaland" (or so we are told), it is hardly suprising that the animals depicted upon these stamps bear an uncanny resemblance to those described by members of the Challenger Expedition, as recorded by Mr Edward Malone in Conan Doyle's The Lost World.
Members are reminded that Canongate Press of Edinburgh published a paperback edition of The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, with a thirteen page introduction by Owen Dudley Edwards, in 1991. That edition is still available and may be purchased direct from the Society. The price, including postage and packing, is: UK — £6.15; North America (Airmail) — £7.40 (US$12, Cdn$15); Australasia (Airmail) — £7.70 (US$12); Surface Mail (Worldwide) — £6.50 (US$10, Cdn$13). Canongate is hoping to publish The Adventures of Gerard late in 1994, and we are told that there are also plans afoot for a spoken word version of The Exploits early in the new year. (Cheques should be made payable to The Arthur Conan Doyle Society and sent to the usual address.)
Glenliffer Press announces a companion volume to 'The Three Students', which was published in 1992. The new title will be 'Silver Blaze' and will be produced in the same miniature format as before. The limited edition of 200 numbered copies, each measuring 7/8" high by 5/8" wide, will cost £15 (UK) or US$25 (Airmail). The book will be set in tiny 2 point type and illustrated with line drawings. The previous volume sold out within weeks, so do not delay your order for the second volume. Orders and cheques direct to Glenliffer Press, 11 Low Road Castlehead, Paisley, Scotland PA2 6AQ. (Visa and Mastercard accepted).
Tiger Books, Yew Tree Cottage, Westbere, Canterbury, Kent CT2 OHH (Tel. 0227 710030) announces the publication of their Abbreviated Bibliographic Check List of A. Conan Doyle. The information in the 60-page card covered booklet has been culled mainly from the pages of Green & Gibson's A Bibliography of Conan Doyle. However, this check list is extremely useful as its notes of magazine contributions are listed in chronological order of the articles' appearances within various magazines. Additionally, of course, a 60-page booklet is far handier to carry around when visiting second-hand bookshops. And, with Green & Gibson currently changing hands for in excess of £100, the £16.50 asked by Tiger Books offers a more affordable alternative.
Roger Dobson reports: Edward Hardwicke, Granada's Dr Watson, has recently been playing another boon companion — Warren ("Warnie') Lewis, brother of C. S. Lewis, in Lord Richard Attenborough's film version of Shadowlands, the Lewis/Joy Davidman love story.
Coincidentally, Edward's father, the distinguished actor Sir Cedric Hardwicke, who died in 1964, bore a remarkable resemblance to the creator of The Chronicles of Narnia.
Sir Anthony Hopkins — a friend of Edward Hardwicke's plays C. S. Lewis in the $20 million film. Shadowlands, filmed in Oxford this summer, will be released in North America at Christmas and in Britain next spring.
Incidentally, the Holmes adventures were the only detective stories Lewis enjoyed, and reading Sir Nigel as a boy was the beginning of his life-long love of heroic romance.
The Directors of The Franco-Midland Hardware Company extend an invitation to all members of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society to take part in their annual multi-society excursion from London on Sunday 16 January 1994. The coach will depart from Baker Street at 9.30 am, stop for coffee at Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's former home of 'Undershaw', then travel to Portsmouth to visit the birthplace of Holmes and a dozen other sites with Doylean and Sherlockian connections. Lunch will be taken overlooking '... the shingles of Southsea ... '. A small monograph will be provided. The fully inclusive cost is £20 (US$40) per head. Sterling cheques should be payable to 'Sherlock Publications', US dollar payments in US dollar bills only please. Places are limited to 50 and are allocated on a first-come basis. Apply direct to Sqn Ldr Philip Weller, 6 Bramham Moor, Hill Head, Fareham, Hampshire PO14 3RU (Tel: 0329-667325).
We have been sent details of a Sherlock Holmes Weekend taking place between 25-27 March 1994 at Blackaller Hotel, North Bovey, Devon TQ13 8QY (Tel: 0647-40322). It seems to be the usual mix of talks, visits, and mini-bus-borne searches for those Canonical sites that may or may not exist. Contact the hotel direct for further details.
The Northern Musgraves announce that their meeting on 26 March 1994 will be entitled 'Mr Holmes & Dr Doyle'. The meeting, to be held at The George Hotel, Huddersfield, will have lunch, papers and other activities related to the theme of the author and his creation, although we are told that the concentration will, primarily, be on Holmes. As is usual with this particular group, details of the programme are unlikely to be available until nearer the day itself.
Over fifty members took advantage of the Society's specially negotiated price for The Oxford Sherlock Holmes Chris Redmond's review of the series will appear in the 1993 Journal, which will be mailed early in the new year.
Although we firmly believe that The Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street serves a purpose in introducing Sherlock Holmes to a wider public, we have never been apologists for the Museum's proprietor. Aidiniantz's latest claim is that Conan Doyle actually stayed in the house which he now markets as 221B Baker Street. No evidence has been produced to support the claim and, at best, we have to consider it doubtful.
Still in Baker Street, the latest mail-order catalogue from The Sherlock Holmes Memorabilia Company is to hand. Three particularly attractive chess sets are on offer in this issue, at prices ranging from £97 £235. Ah, the joys of collecting! Postage and packing are extra on all items and members should beware: some of the postage rates quoted, particularly for items weighing less than 500g, seem to be a little on the high side. The catalogue, priced at £2 (for 12 pages!) is available from the Company at 230 Baker Street, London NW1 5RT (Tel: 071-486-1426).
WESTERN WANDERINGS
We are preparing a new edition of the series of articles by Conan Doyle, which appeared in The Cornhill Magazine, in four instalments, between January and April 1915. It is hoped to have the edition ready by the time of the Toronto Convention. Final costings have not yet been prepared, but the volume is expected to sell at around £15. It would be helpful in assessing the size of print run if members would advise us whether they would like to reserve a copy.
The Final Problem and The Passing of Sherlock Holmes
Readers will need no reminding that 1993 is the Centenary of the first publication of Conan Doyle's story 'The Final Problem'. We could not let so important an event pass without recalling the consternation caused by the report of Sherlock Holmes's death when it appeared in the December 1893 issue of The Strand Magazine. It is often difficult to offer something with which readers may not be familiar, but through the generosity of our friend Richard Dalby we are able to reprint the following cartoon, which appeared in To-Day on 30 December 1893.
Through the Magic Door
Studies in the Life and Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Arthur Conan Doyle Society's Toronto Convention: 29 April-1 May 1994
Early bookings indicate that the Toronto Convention will be well supported. Full details of the event were given in the Special Newsletter, which was sent to all members in September. However, The Parish Magazine provides us with an opportunity for an update of plans. Members should note that there has been a revision to the price for one of the convention packages (the accommodation and breakfast package designed for spouses and partners who do not wish to attend convention events).
Speakers
Our original list of speakers has been reduced by one: Richard Lancelyn Green has withdrawn for personal reasons. However, some additions have been made: Catherine Cooke will be joining Cameron Hollyer and Victoria Gill to discuss the day-to-day problems of those who run major Doylean and Sherlockian collections. A special additional event has been planned for late evening entertainment on Saturday 30 April: Mark McPherson will be presenting the latest version of his one-man play, 'The Mystery of Conan Doyle: A Study in Darkness'. Full details of Mark's play are appended below. Our list of speakers now reads as follows:
Michael Coren, Conan Doyle's newest biographer, will be joining our panel discussion on the biographical problems.
Michael W Homer proposes to examine Conan Doyle's attitudes to North America. Jon L Lellenberg will chair the panel discussion on the biographical problems. Ely M Liebow will be examining the relationship between Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini.
Roy E Pilot will present his view of Professor Challenger.
Chris Redmond, in an after-dinner presentation, will examine aspects of our interest in Conan Doyle which are sure to make for good discussion.
Barbara & Christopher Roden propose to look at some of Conan Doyle's neglected work.
Alvin E Rodin will be looking at ACD's lifetime of medical involvement.
R Dixon Smith will take a fresh look at Beyond the City and A Duet.
Thomas R Tietze hopes to argue for a new way of reading The Edge of the Unknown and The Maracot Deep.
Catherine Cooke, Victoria Gill, Cameron Hollyer and Donald A Redmond complete the impressive list of speakers at the event, and there may yet be a few last minute surprises.
The Hotel Plaza II
Our hotel is situated in the heart of Toronto on Bloor and Yonge, a block away from the Metroplitan Toronto Library. It is minutes away from art galleries, museums and high fashion shops in Yorkville Village, and sits atop 200+ underground shops. The Hudson's Bay Centre and movie theatres adjoin the hotel.
Accommodation is in 256 superbly appointed rooms (with three non-smoking floors). Each room has individual climate control, dual line telephones with modem outlet, voice mail, remote control TV with cable and in-house movies, and a self-serve mini-bar. Sports facilities are available.
There is an Underground valet parking service (a small fee will be payable), limousine service, laundry valet, car rental service, and, for those of you with a non-stop lifestyle, a business and secretarial service.
The Packages:
PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE NO SURCHARGES FOR SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY
PLEASE NOTE: ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE MARK MCPHERSON PLAY ARE NOT INCLUDED. A MODEST CHARGE WILL BE MADE FOR THIS EVENT.
Option 1: THE FULL CONVENTION: inclusive of two nights' accommodation, all meals, taxes and activites:
COST: Cdn$295; US$235; UK£155 per person.
Option 2: NON-ACCOMMODATION CONVENTION PACKAGE: Those not requiring accommodation may attend all of the Convention activities and meals (except breakfast) at a cost of: Cdn$99; US$80; UK£55 per person.
Option 3: ACCOMMODATION AND BREAKFAST PACKAGE: Designed for spouses and partners who do not wish to attend convention activities, but prefer to get out and see Toronto.
COST: Cdn$115; US$95; UK£65.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PRICES OF THIS OPTION HAVE BEEN CONSIDERABLY REDUCED TO THOSE QUOTED IN THE SPECIAL NEWSLETTER.
Option 4: SATURDAY EVENING GALA DINNER ONLY at a cost of Cdn$50; US$40; UK£27.
NOTE: The full convention package includes accommodation on the nights of 29 & 30 April, American Breakfast on 30 April & 1 May, Buffet Lunch on 30 April, Gala Dinner on 30 April, and scheduled coffee breaks.
BOOKINGS AND DEPOSITS
We have to give the hotel some idea of our final numbers at the end of January. PLEASE DO NOT DELAY YOUR BOOKING ANY LONGER. At this stage, deposits are no longer acceptable, and the cost should be remitted in full.
CANCELLATION:
Attendees are advised to make private insurance arrangements to cover cancellation. Cancellations will be accepted up to 40 days prior to the event, provided that advice of such cancellation is sent to the Society by registered or recorded mail. All cancellations will be subject to the following minimum deductions: Cdn$60; US$50; UK £30.
REGISTRATION:
The Convention programme will begin at 8.00 pm on Friday 29 April. Registration will be from 7.00 pm onwards. It is envisaged that the programme proper will end at 1.00 pm on Sunday 1 May.
ADDITIONAL NIGHTS' ACCOMMODATION
Members wishing to spend additional nights in Toronto, either before or after the Convention, may like to know that Hotel Plaza II offers the following rates for accommodation only: Single Occupancy Cdn $85 per room; Double Occupancy Cdn $95 per room (exclusive of taxes).
We shall be happy to arrange for additional nights' accommodation on your behalf — please specify your requirements on the booking form. However, it will be your own responsibility to settle accounts for additional accommodation, and any incidental expense incurred during your stay, before your departure from the hotel.
SATURDAY EVENING DINNER
To help with your packing arrangements, formal dress for dinner on Saturday evening is optional. Lounge suits for gentlemen will be perfectly acceptable.
FURTHER INFORMATION
A full Convention timetable and joining information will be despatched approximately one month before the Convention. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. (Telephone: 0244-545210).
We look forward to seeing you in Toronto for our trip Through the Magic Door.
Sir Arthur 'Returns' to Toronto
The latest addition to The Arthur Conan Doyle Society's Toronto Convention list of luminaries is none other that 'Sir Arthur' himself in the person of actor/ playwright/explorer Mark McPherson. Mr McPherson's previous play, 'An Evening with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle', has earned him plaudits throughout America and Canada, and a specially abbreviated version of the play was presented at the Society's 1992 meeting in Tunbridge Wells.
For our group's upcoming meeting in Toronto, Mark McPherson will debut his latest Doylean outing, entitled 'THE MYSTERY OF CONAN DOYLE; A STUDY IN DARKNESS'. We are informed that this new vehicle will be a sequel of sorts to the first play, which concerned itself largely with Sir Arthur's early life, education and medical career. 'MYSTERY' will focus upon the 'established' ACD on the eve of his real-life investigation of the Edalji case, including as well more of the author's psychical interests and extra-Sherlockian literary quests.
'THE MYSTERY OF CONAN DOYLE' will be presented to Society members and the general public on the evening of Saturday 30 April at Toronto's Plaza II Hotel, which will host our activities. Tickets for the play will be available at the door.
'Here is a play written by a man who thinks like, looks like, and speaks like the real Conan Doyle,' said American aficionado John Bennett Shaw of Mark McPherson's performance. What could be a more tantalising invitation to join 'Sir Arthur' on 30 April?
Supper at Waterloo
'I had some supper at Waterloo.' — Sherlock Holmes in 'The Crooked Man'
Chris Redmond
The question of the day is, have you ever read Pheneas Speaks? No, I thought not. How about Our African Winter? Have you even read The Coming of the Fairies? Or, to restrict our attention to fiction for a moment, what do you know of The Maracot Deep? Could you say with confidence whether or not Arthur Conan Doyle wrote something called "Touch and Go: A Midshipman's Story', or 'The Bully of Brocas Court', or 'The Last Resource'? What about a pamphlet titled An Incursion into Diplomacy, or a note in the Daily Mail about 'Lifebelts in Men-of-War', or 'Justice at Mark Cross' in the Sussex County Herald?
You'd have to be a bibliographer, or have the Green and Gibson Bibliography at hand as I have, to identify all those items, selected from among a thousand or more that would serve the purpose equally well. Sometimes it seems that the very extent of ACD's writing weighs us down. For myself, quite apart from Sherlockiana, of which I have mountains, I can report three shelves packed solidly with books with the name of Arthur Conan Doyle on their title-pages. When I came home from a recent bookstore visit with a new acquisition (an American Publishers edition of The Firm of Girdlestone, inscribed 'Xmas 1897' and inexplicably bound upside-down) I could hardly squeeze it into its place. Even allowing for multiple editions of the same text, of which I have a good number, that's a lot of books. And have I read them all? I confess that I have not.
There is just so much to read and to do, even if one could restrict oneself to ACD and eliminate all other scholarship, recreation, family life and legitimate employment! I promised a year ago that I would assist a colleague by reading The Parasite line-for-line to compare British and American editions. How many pages have I completed so far? In a phrase borrowed from Monty Python, 'Nearly one.' I want to write a note on the name 'Raffles', as in Raffles Haw, Raffles the gentleman burglar, and Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, and what progress have I made? You can guess the answer. Perhaps you can also guess my answer when a Sherlockian acquaintance asked me recently whether I had read an ACD story entitled 'How It Happened' or 'The Way Things Happened' or something of the sort. How dare I call myself an expert!
Few readers outside Canada indeed, perhaps few readers inside Canada will be familiar with the satirical little volume Sarah Binks by Paul Hiebert. It is the entirely fictional biography of an entirely fictional poetess, 'the Sweet Songstress of Saskatchewan', whose overwhelmingly banal lyrics are quoted throughout the book. along with interpretation based on her small-town background. The biographer makes clear, however, that all interpretations of Sarah Binks are preliminary. After all, her greatest work, 'Up from the Magma and Back Again', is so immense that it 'has never yet been read in its entirety. Of the canto written in Mound-Builder only a few paragraphs are as yet available to the reader in English ... Of those cantos of "Up from the Magma" which have already been read the best-known is that dealing with the Red Brother of the plains.'
Well, I have rather that feeling sometimes when I contemplate the work of ACD: that it has never yet been read in its entirety. Certainly it has not all been read by me, who (to tell the truth) has not even been able to stomach Micah Clarke. I grant that none of ACD's work is written in Mound-Builder (a tongue which I gather the archaeologists of North America now think never existed anyway), but some of it might as well be. Some readers will find the artificially mediaeval speech of Sir Nigel and his archers unintelligible, while others who can manage that vocabulary will balk at the fusiliers and garrisons in one important genre of ACD's non-fiction work, or the mists and vibrations in another. Gratefully we turn back to Round the Red Lamp and Beyond the City, if not all the way back to Sherlock Holmes.
I had best not say in public which other books I have so far neglected, but few readers will be surprised to hear that I have done little more with The British Campaign in France and Flanders than admire the blue-and-gold binding of its six learned volumes. Some day I intend not merely to read them but to study them, side by side with the twenty-odd volumes of the Times History of the Great War which is another of the neglected treasures of my library. My heart has had a soft spot for the Times History ever since I dipped into a complete set of it which graced the library in a house my family rented for a year when I was a small child. Thus I do look forward to making a thorough study of the First World War, so important to the history of our world. But not just yet. Perhaps not until I retire — and from what I see of the scholarly schedule my father has been keeping since his retirement, perhaps not then, either.
Sherlock Holmes Stamps
The Sherlock Holmes postage stamps issued by Royal Mail on 12 October 1993 captured the imagination of Doyleans and Sherlockians everywhere. Demand for the Society's own First Day Covers exceeded all expectations. Judging by the time special hand-stamp centres took to deal with covers, the issue was extremely popular.
A wide choice of special frankings was available. Besides the Society's two frankings, those interested could obtain frankings from Minstead, burial place of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; St Bartholomew's Hospital; Baker Street, London; 221B Baker Street; The Sherlock Holmes Museum; Granada Studios; The Strand Magazine; Windlesham Manor, and many more. Benham, the First Day Cover specialist which produced one of the Society's covers, enclosed a leaflet bearing the Society's address in all of their envelopes. This bore fruit for the Society in the form of several new memberships. The stamps were also the subject of a special readers' offer by The Radio Times.
The Independent carried letters from Tim Owen of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London and Christopher Roden who, perhaps not surprisingly, considered the issue from somewhat different viewpoints:
- Sir: Centenary of the death of Sherlock Holmes? 12 October 1993? Poppycock! As the whole world knows, Sherlock Holmes met his supposed death, at the hands of his arch-enemy Professor Moriarty, on 4 May 1891. So Royal Mail has missed the centenary by two years, five months and eight days. That's rather longer than the expected delay to the opening of the Channel Tunnel, whose commemorative philatelic issue this Sherlock Holmes series has hastily replaced.
- Yours faithfully,
- TIM OWEN
- Sir: So Tim Owen feels it is "poppycock" to celebrate the centenary of the death (or, more appropriately, the disappearance) of Sherlock Holmes in 1993?
- This is "ineffable twaddle", as Holmes himself might have said. December 1993 is the centenary of the publication of The Final Problem in the Strand Magazine. Surely the majority of people are more interested in the factual, rather than the fictional, event?
- This is an occasion where it seems more appropriate to congratulate Royal Mail, and the stamps' designer, Andrew Davidson, on a superb tribute to English Literature's greatest fictional character — the creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle than to carp over Sherlockological trivialities. Yours faithfully,
- CHRISTOPHER RODEN
The Independent also ran a competition based on the stamps, which required contestants to solve a number of cryptic and numeric clues. The prize was a week's holiday in Switzerland.
The Baker Street set of Granada Studios Tours in Manchester was the venue chosen by Royal Mail to launch the Holmes stamps on 11 October. The invited guests, seemingly drawn principally from Royal Mail's larger business customers in the northern region, were treated to a display which included original artwork, proof stamps, the set authorised by Her Majesty the Queen, and the stamp that never was.
Andrew Davidson, the stamps' designer, explained to us that the original conception was that as the stamps were being issued in 1993, only stories written one hundred years earlier, in 1893, would be illustrated. Once someone realised that this would exclude the illustrative opportunities provided by The Hound of the Baskervilles, policy changed. Andrew had already completed a drawing based on "The Cardboard Box', which was, sadly, not used in the final set.
The Doylean and Sherlockian societies were represented by Christopher and Barbara Roden (The Arthur Conan Doyle Society), David Stuart Davies and John Addy (the Northern Musgraves) and Stanley McKenzie (the Sherlock Holmes Society of London). Michael Cox, the man behind Granada's early dramatisations of the Holmes stories, was Guest of Honour. Kevin Doherty, Royal Mail's Director of Stamps and Personal Mail, introduced the stamps and praised Andrew Davidson's designs, which, he said, 'capture all the characters perfectly as well as the tension and atmosphere of Conan Doyle's superb stories.'
Christopher Roden had been invited by Royal Mail to speak on behalf of the Arthur Conan Doyle Society. The text of his speech follows. Once speeches were over, Kevin Doherty presented framed sets of postcards of the Holmes stamps and an official First Day Cover to Andrew Davidson, Michael Cox and Christopher Roden.
Christopher Roden's speech, on behalf of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society. Sherlock Holmes Postage Stamps Launch — 11 October 1993
Sherlock Holmes would, I think, have approved.
'I have it in me to make my name famous,' he remarked on one occasion, and we may conclude from the evidence before us Sherlock Holmes commemorated on a set of British Postage stamps that he succeeded. But, of course, the fame of Sherlock Holmes is entirely due to the very special creative abilities of one man: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
One hundred years ago, Conan Doyle had just put the finishing touches to his story entitled 'The Final Problem', which was to appear in the Christmas 1893 issue of The Strand Magazine. In that adventure, Holmes was despatched to his death following a struggle with his notorious adversary, Professor Moriarty, at the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland.
Conan Doyle wanted to be free of the character who tied him to a regular output of magazine stories: free to write the historical novels he felt to be more important. As we know, however, Sherlock Holmes was resurrected: the public simply would not accept Holmes's death, and the pressure on Conan Doyle to produce further stories of the Great Detective was unrelenting. Eventually Conan Doyle succumbed. The Hound of the Baskervilles appeared in 1901 and was followed, in October 1903, by 'The Adventure of The Empty House', the first story in the series collectively known as The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
In a way then, this stamp issue commemorates two anniversaries: the Centenary of Sherlock Holmes's 'death' — which would be better termed his 'disappearance' — and the 90th anniversary of his 'Return'.
A good many Sherlockians will disagree with that statement, pointing out that Sherlockian chronologies indicate that 'The Final Problem' described events which took place in 1891, and not 1893. However, the Society which I founded in 1989 studies these matters from the factual, rather than the fictitious, viewpoint. Sherlock Holmes was, dare I say it, a fictional character. But the traditional Sherlockian approach is to acknowledge that Holmes really existed; that the stories were written by Dr Watson, and that Conan Doyle merely acted as the Literary Agent for Watson. Whilst this approach is amusing in its own way, it does Conan Doyle a great injustice. Indeed, there are those who feel that the Sherlockian approach has, over the years, contributed to the resistance of the Literary 'Establishment' to accept Conan Doyle as the fine writer he was.
Thankfully, that situation shows signs of changing, and with the support of eminent scholars such as the late Professor Wallace Robson, Conan Doyle's work is at last being accorded its true status as fine literature.
By rights, today should be the day on which The Royal Mail launches its series of Channel Tunnel stamps. Unfortunately, delays in the completion of the tunnel led to an alternative subject being sought. And, as on so many occasions, Sherlock Holmes was called on to solve the problem.
The choice of Holmes to replace the Tunnel issue was a fitting one, for there is a link between the Tunnel and Sir Arthur, of which I suspect Royal Mail was unaware at the time it made the decision to 'go with Sherlock'. Conan Doyle was a man interested and involved in all manner of things. As early as March 1913, he wrote, in a letter to The Times:
'The matter seems to me to be of such importance that I grudge every day that passes without something having been done to bring it to realisation.'
Conan Doyle would, I think, have been horrified that the tunnel has taken so long to reach completion: but he would have been amused that his Sherlock Holmes was on hand to step into the breach and assist Royal Mail in its hour of need.
It is interesting to note here that one other subject in which Conan Doyle was greatly interested has played a part in another major event which has occurred this year. The interest in pre-history, which led to his writing The Lost World, undoubtedly played its part in the creation of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park, so successfully filmed by Stephen Spielberg. One wonders whether Spielberg's film would have been born, had Willis O'Brien not created the dinosaurs for the 1925 film of The Lost World. And, of course, O'Brien would have been lost for his subject without the creative vision of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
It is to film and television that we should now move, for Sherlock Holmes has, of course, featured in many film and television adaptations. Perhaps it is from the medium of television that many modern-day Holmes enthusiasts first develop their interest in Conan Doyle's detective. Actors from William Gillette, through Basil Rathbone and Peter Cushing, to the present interpretation by Jeremy Brett, have influenced the public's conception of Sherlock Holmes, just as various illustrators over the years have conjured up the picture of Holmes which many of us have in our minds.
The iconography of Sherlock Holmes is extensive, and began when Conan Doyle's father, Charles Doyle, provided illustrations for the very first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet. By far the most recognisable picture we have of Holmes, in Britain at least, is that given to us by Sidney Paget, who based his conception of Holmes on his brother Walter when producing illustrations for The Strand Magazine. I feel sure that enthusiasts will welcome Andrew Davidson's new interpretation of Sherlock Holmes: an interpretation which makes this issue so appealing. The five illustrations wonderfully capture the mood of the stories chosen, and I would single out for special mention those for The Hound of the Baskervilles and 'The Final Problem'. And I am pleased to see that Watson has been presented as being a relatively youthful figure, rather than as the bumbling old doctor which many film makers assume him to be. Andrew's illustrations will, I am sure, kindle an even greater interest in Sherlock Holmes among the British public.
The introduction of a 25p first class postage stamp within a short time of this issue's launch means that the stamps will, perhaps, have a shorter 'shelf-life' than would otherwise have been the case. Perhaps Royal Mail will consider a further Sherlock Holmes or Conan Doyle issue at some future date: they may like to bear in mind that 2005 will be the 75th anniversary of Conan Doyle's death.
Certainly the silhouette of Sherlock Holmes is as instantly recognisable as that of 'the certain gracious lady' who presently adorns our postage stamps. Holmes is so recognisable, so permanent, and so quintessentially British, that one feels it would not be unreasonable to suggest he should appear on all our postage stamps.
All joking apart, it is a great pleasure to speak on behalf of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society on this occasion. May I congratulate Andrew Davidson and The Royal Mail on this special issue. Not only has it captured the imagination of many designers of special first day covers, it has also thrilled the growing band of Doyleans and Sherlockians, both in Britain and abroad, and will, hopefully, bring a touch of nostalgia to those around the world whose letters will, for a short time, bear the image of Sherlock Holmes: 'the best and wisest man I have ever known.'
News from Crowborough
Malcolm Payne
As some measure of the regard held for 'The Conan Doyle Establishment' at Crowborough, the Conan Doyle Room there was selected by Royal Mail as one of the venues for the publicity launch of the new Sherlock Holmes stamps. Floodlights, flash-bulbs, and the general melée of photographers and journalists slightly upset the normal quiet atmosphere of the museum/archive bar, but Sir Arthur looked on kindly from his many portraits. He also appeared to be there in person, disguised as Malcolm Payne, along with the bright-eyed Holmes, who could have been Philip Weller. Dr Watson was evidently on call, and Moriarty did not put in an appearance until all was finished, so he went off in a huff.
This new Sir Arthur was very kindly received by local residents who had known him, and there were comments on the good likeness. Holmes was said to have looked far younger than would have been thought, but the detective was extremely well turned-out in Inverness-caped top-coat, deerstalker, and comfortable-looking Victorian-styled boots.
Our Treasurer, Richard Greep, had been very busy arranging our First Day Cover for the Holmes stamp issue. Publicity was sent out all over the world, design of the cancelling stamps was approved, and the design of the other hand stamps and the features on the Cover was carried out by Richard, who even spent a day standing outside our local post office selling covers. By the time you read this there may still be a few covers left. Should you wish to make a purchase, the price is £6.75 in the UK, and £10.00 or US$15.00 overseas (cash with order please). Orders should be sent to Richard Greep, The Limes, Eridge Road, Crowborough, East Sussex.
We are very pleased to say that at last we have managed to get around to publishing the transcripts of interviews given over the years by members of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's staff, and friends, at Crowborough. Dame Jean Conan Doyle has approved the content and made comments on it, which are reproduced in the book. In a letter to me after reading Recollections of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, by Residents of Crowborough, she wrote, 'What a joy to read the enclosed. I was so moved by the memories of my father so vividly expressed by the various contributors. Over the years I have often felt sad that so few people remain who actually knew my father. As his daughter, anything I say about him is likely to be dismissed as a biased view-point of a loving off-spring. Surely it is the people one works with day in, day out, who have a unique knowledge of a person's character.' The book, in A4 format with card covers, is illustrated on the front with a new portrait of Sir Arthur by artist Troy Taylor, while the back cover has a sketch of Windlesham Manor, made on 22 May a few years ago by yours truly. Philip Weller has edited the collection, which I made by interviewing the people concerned between 1957 and 1991. The recollections range over the period 1907 to 1930, the years in which Sir Arthur lived in Crowborough.
Other interviews have taken place since the book was put together, and it is possible that these will be contained in a future extended version. I have had interesting and long recorded conversations with John R. Isted, who at the age of four joined his family as caretakers at Windlesham whenever the Conan Doyle family was abroad. I have also had one interview (a further one is booked) with Cissie Weller who, in 1910, was born in Quarry Hill Farm, formerly Lockyer's and now Fey House, which is situated just opposite Windlesham Manor. Cissie has some unique memories of the Conan Doyle family and the area up until the 1920s, when she moved from the area. Cissie's parents were tenants of Sir Arthur, who bought the farm with them in situ, thus adding about eight acres to the Windlesham grounds.
Recollections of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, by Residents of Crowborough is available in the UK at a cost of £4.50, plus postage and packing. Overseas the price is £10.00 or US$15.00, inclusive of postage. Cheques should be made payable to ACD Memorial Fund', and orders (cash with order please) should be sent to The Curator, Cross Hotel, Crowborough, East Sussex. (Recollections of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle will be reviewed in the 1993 edition of ACD, currently in the course of preparation.)
Gone are the dark and heavy brows, the thin hawk-like nose, the sharp piercing gray eyes. Gone, too, is the beard (although close observers will note that this is intended to be only a temporary arrangement). No, this is not a dress rehearsal for the Royal Shakespeare Company's innovative interpretation of Hamlet, or a publicity shot for 'Skull' the tobacco enriched with aromas of the grave!
Our photograph shows a scene dreamt up for the cameras at the Anatomy Library, Edinburgh Medical School, for the launch of the Sherlock Holmes postage stamps in Scotland. The particular film-like qualities portrayed were provided for the occasion by the every-youthful Owen Dudley Edwards, who was able to relax following his traumatic stint as General Editor of The Oxford Sherlock Holmes.
Our thanks to Mr Edwards for providing the photograph — and our commiserations to his colleague.
Notes from a Lumber-Room
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'
The usual polite little reminder dropped through my door the other day: could I let the editors have the copy for 'Notes from a Lumber-Room' within about a month, please?
Unusually this time, inspiration seems a bit lacking. Not that things have been exactly quiet. For one thing, said 'lumber-room' has been moved, with all the consequent disruption that sort of thing causes. No longer sharing a smallish office with the Reference Library staff on the first floor of Marylebone Library, the Sherlock Holmes Collection now, after forty-odd years, has a room all to itself, in the basement, next to the playgroup. This is not as gloomy as it may sound. There are two large windows, giving on to the base of the building's light-well, and the rather subdued natural lighting is much better for the books: with any luck, our already much-faded Strands won't fade too much more!
Two glorious, if tiring, days were spent a couple of weeks ago dusting and polishing. One of the nicest things about having a room to yourself is that you can hang up a few of the really attractive pictures and photographs that the Reference Librarian really would not have wanted to stare at day in, day out.
We expanded in the process, too. The Collection had just about out-grown its four and a quarter bookcases (again). One new one was donated by my boss, who was having a well-timed clearout of his office. A second was rather er acquired from Archives while they weren't looking. I deny any part in commuting this felony, being otherwise occupied with the installation of a major computer system at the time. Archives are reported, however, to be perfectly happy with the microfilm reader they were given in recompense.
I find myself faced with two possible themes for this short piece, both very obvious: Jurassic Park and the influence of The Lost World (wouldn't Spielberg have done an excellent job with the latter? Just imagine, a whole flock of computer-animated pterodactyls! Maybe someone will pick it up in the current dinomania: the Irwin Allen version is, after all, nearly thirty years old now); or the stamps.
They are really rather good, and can well stand the enlargement to postcard size (they are pretty big as stamps go anyway). They represent an interesting choice of subjects. The Hound of the Baskervilles was no surprise, and a truly 'enormous' hound it is, with nicely fiery eyes. 'The Final Problem' was probably inevitable as well, even if Holmes's baritsu has rather more of a straight right to it. They are at least on the right side of the Falls, unlike some illustrations and portrayals. The Six Napoleons is a good choice; the artistically smashed bust adds interest, as do Lestrade's official notebook and whistle. That fleur-de-lys on Holmes's dressing-gown is a nice touch, too: this illustrator knows his subject. 'The Greek Interpreter' seems a rather more esoteric choice, though it does give a rare opportunity to bring in Mycroft and a suitably dark and sinister location. Watson, one supposes, is off in search of the brandy. (He must be a member of a Holmes Society — Ed.) Why choose 'The Reigate Squire' as the last illustration, though? And why use the original Strand title in favour of the more usual (British) title as used in The Memoirs? For that matter, why has Holmes taken his Stradivarius off to someone else's house, anyway? Or are he and Watson now back in Baker Street and just reviewing the clues before putting them away in the relic-chest? Among non-Holmesians the story probably isn't even very well known. Television is usually a fairly good indication of popular taste, and Granada Television has not dramatised it yet. Neither did the BBC in the middle to late 1960s, come to think of it, though they did in the 1951 Alan Wheatley series, and it has been done for radio several times, including by Carleton Hobbs and, of course, Clive Merrison.
The eagle-eyed, not to mention those who had a crack at The Independent's competition to mark the release of the stamps, will have seen that Conan Doyle is not forgotten on the stamps themselves, even if you do have to look pretty hard for the Y and D. He gets proper mention in the official presentation pack from the Royal Mail as well, even if they do perpetuate the story of him failing as a doctor. The reference in the pack to the publication of 'The Final Problem' in 1893 raises a question. What exactly is the Royal Mail celebrating? The centenary of that publication?
Earlier this year, however, the story was that the stamps were due for next year, 1994, which would imply that the Royal Mail was playing the game and celebrating Holmes's return to London in April 1894. The stamps' release was brought forward to October 1993, so the story went, as the Channel Tunnel had been delayed, thus making the release of the stamps in honour of that feat of engineering rather premature. It could be said, therefore, that the Sherlock Holmes stamps were celebrating the non-opening of the Channel Tunnel!
In view of Conan Doyle's interest in the idea of a tunnel under the English Channel, this is not inappropriate. Such a tunnel, he felt, would bring profit to the country, stimulating trade and tourism. The sending of military forces to the Continent would be much easier, should it ever be required, as would the importation of food, even after a naval defeat (quite prophetic comments for March 1913). There was the danger of invasion. This can of course only mean invasion by France, which cannot surely be regarded as a serious danger, although I admit that every defensive precaution should be taken. As to invasion by any other country it means that they have first to win and to hold both ends of the tunnel. Such a contingency is, I hold, beyond all bounds of common sense.' (Letter to The Times, 11 March 1913).
In the last comment we have to admit that Conan Doyle was not quite so far-sighted, though it is easy to talk with hindsight. For him the major factor in favour of the tunnel was that Britain could import food from the Mediterranean basin through Marseilles. With France occupied by an unfriendly power, this would seem impracticable. If an invasionary force could not use the tunnel unless it held both ends, neither could we use it with the enemy holding the French end. In 1922, Conan Doyle argued that the French end could be garrisoned; with reinforcements coming through from England, it would be impregnable, he said. In the worst case, it could always be destroyed.
Conan Doyle remained faithful to his views. On 23 June 1916 he wrote to The Glasgow Herald:
- Nations are supposed to pay for their sins, but they pay an even higher price for their stupidities. And we deserve to pay for it, for we have been very stupid, and we have allowed ourselves to be frightened off from doing what was clearly to our advantage by the most absurd bogles, such as that we would be invaded through a rabbit burrow in the ground 26 miles long. I do not think national folly could rise higher than that I foretold submarine danger, and showed how a tunnel would meet it... Now that it is clear that a whiff of poison gas down the tunnel would destroy any army within it, we will hope that all the absurd nightmares will die away, and that after the war we shall bring sanity to bear upon this question.
Well, three-quarters of a century later, Conan Doyle's dream is about to come true. Would he have minded very much if we are consoled for a small delay in completion by the publication of a few stamps bearing the likeness of Sherlock Holmes?
The David Kirby Memorial Essay Competition
Members will recall that this competition was inaugurated to remember David Kirby of Rupert Books, Cambridge, who died on 3 June 1991.
Entries for the Competition fell into two categories:
(1) The life, writings and/or criticism or study of the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and
(2) Studies in the Sherlockian writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
There was a modest response, with the majority of entries falling into Category (2). The judges' opinion was that no article concentrating purely on the topics in Category (1) was of sufficient quality to justify the awarding of a prize in that Category. The prize for Category (1) is, therefore, withheld.
There was a clear winner in the remaining category, and we are pleased to announce that the winner of the 1992 Essay Competition is Michael W. Homer of Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. Michael's essay, 'The Absence of Holmes: The Continuation of the Mormon Sub-Plot in Angels of Darkness', will be published in the 1993 edition of ACD.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Michael, and our thanks to all those who entered the competition. details of the 1994 competition will be announced in the next issue of The Parish Magazine.
ACD Commemorative Plaque
The Society has made a commitment to sponsor a commemorative plaque to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The plaque, which will be sited at 2 Devonshire Place, will record the fact that Conan Doyle worked and wrote in the building during 1891. The unveiling has been scheduled for 22 May 1994, and it is hoped that Air Cmdt Dame Jean Conan Doyle will perform the ceremony.
The Society will meet its commitment by covering the cost of the plaque from general funds. However, any member who wishes to make a modest donation is invited to do so. Cheques should be made payable to The Arthur Conan Doyle Society, and accompanied by a note indicating that the donation is to assist with the cost of the plaque.
Book Reviews
THE LIST OF SEVEN by Mark Frost
Hutchinson: 1993; 377pp; £9.99; ISBN 0-09-178190-6
THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF HISTORICAL WHODUNNITS
edited by Mike Ashley
Robinson, 1993; xix + 522pp; £5.99; ISBN 1-85487-229-X
A STUDY IN SCARLET by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Dr Watson Books, 1993; 184pp; £38.00 (Special Edition), £150.00 (Presentation Edition)
THE CANARY TRAINER by Nicholas Meyer
Barbara Roden
Norton, 1993; 224pp; US$19.95, Cdn$24.99 ISBN 0-393-03608
Sherlock Holmes Postage Stamps
We have a few items remaining, which we are pleased to offer to members. We would urge anyone interested to contact us by telephone (0244-545210) to reserve items.
1. The Victorian Print Series by A.G. Bradbury. The envelope features a Sidney Paget illustration from 'Silver Blaze', the ACD monogram in gold foil, and a special 'Arthur Conan Doyle Society' franking. The only remaining items are sets of five envelopes, each bearing one stamp of the series. Price: £25.00; US$37.50; Cdn $50.
2. The Official Royal Mail First Day Cover, franked 'Sherlock Holmes, Baker Street, London NW1' with a silhouette of Holmes. The envelope bears five stamps and contains an illustrated card relating the stamps to five film appearances. Price: £5.00; US$7.50; Cdn$10.
3. The Official Royal Mail Presentation Pack. Includes five mint stamps (unfranked) and an illustrated (some colour) insert describing the Holmes phenomenon, film appearances, and the role of Arthur Conan Doyle. Price: £4.50; U.S.$7.00; Cdn $9.00
4. Royal Mail's 'News on Stamps' Media Pack: 'Sherlock Holmes 12 October 1993'. An A4 size wallet-type folder, which opens to reveal an illustration of the five stamps in black & white. Folder includes Royal Mail's press release dated 11 October 1993; a set of five postcards, each illustrating one of the stamps in the series; black & white and colour prints of the stamps. This is an extremely rare item. Price: £20; US$30; Cdn$40.
5. Poster displayed in British Post Offices for the duration of the stamps issue. The poster illustrates all five stamps, but features "The Final Problem'. Dimensions: 23.5" x 33" Price: £25; US$37.50; Cdn$50.
6. Paper poster which was used alongside First Day Cover Posting Boxes in Main Post Offices. Dimensions: 12" x 16". Price: £20; US$30; Cdn$40.
7. Card Posters used on counters in British Post Offices, denoting 'Sherlock Holmes: Issue Date 12th October'. Dimensions 8" x 11.5" Price: £15; US$23; Cdn$30.
8. A cardboard-backed, self-standing version of (7), illustrating four of the five postcards, the first day cover, and the presentation pack, and featuring "The Final Problem' stamp. Price: £20; US$30; Cdn$40.
All prices include postage and packing. PLEASE RESERVE YOUR ITEMS BEFORE SENDING ANY MONEY.
Correspondence with the charm of variety...
It's always nice to know that members are taking an interest in what the Society does. Our postbag, following the last issue of The Parish Magazine, included the following:
From Dr Alvin E Rodin, Beavercreek, Ohio:
'I have just sent you a note a few days ago after which, of course, The Parish Magazine arrived. Considerable praise and congratulations are in order for a most excellent issue on all accounts.
From Markus Geisser, Arbon, Switzerland:
'I have just received the latest issue of the Newsletter. I must admit that I had only time to look through quickly, but it is once again full of worthful information. I wish to thank you again for your efforts and once again congratulations on the super job you do.'
From Gordon R Speck, Waterloo, Illinois:
'The Parish Magazine brought a mixed bag of blessings: so many good things to buy and interesting events to attend, too little time and money to take advantage of all of them. I agree with "Paddy de Tale" about the new Granada episodes. At least (or at most?) Granada had the decency to change the titles, since they filmed something quite different from ACD's creation.
Unlike the new Granada series, the new ACD Journal and The Parish Magazine continue to improve with every issue. Keep up the good work.'
From Joe Eckrich, St. Louis, Missouri:
'Although I have not had much time in recent months to correspond, I have certainly been enjoying my membership in the ACD Society. The publications look great and the articles are first rate. I look forward to another fine year with The Arthur Conan Doyle Society.'
From Michael Doyle, Vancouver:
'Congratulations are in order once again, this time regarding The Parish Magazine number eight. I think this is the best PM yet, and its appearance is excellent, too. The sturdy binding is appropriate to the high quality of the volume; this is a work which definitely should be kept in one's bookshelf. The high quality of The Parish Magazine, which we receive twice a year, fills up any possible gap caused by going to a once-per-year edition of the Journal, too.'
I for one would like you to know how very much I appreciate the tremendous amount of work you both put in to produce that journal. At least you have the comfort of knowing that you produced something of great value, and another huge block in the edifice you are building about ACD, his writings and his life. Congratulations and many thanks.'
From Peter Blau, Washington, D.C.:
'Many thanks for the latest issue of The Parish Magazine, which is nicely done indeed (and definitely more substantial than the description "newsletter" might suggest).'
From Vincent Brosnan, Oceanside, California:
'I read with pleasure of the Society's Edinburgh celebration and I hope such forays continue as they give Doyleans an agenda to rally around.
A point of interest regarding the story "The Haunted Grange of Goresthorpe." As stated in the latest Parish Magazine, the story in the Blackwood Archives is unpublished, but a similar title appeared in Strange Secrets (Chatto & Windus, 1889) and also the American printing by Fenno & Company, 1895, of which I have a copy. A rather peculiar book; 14 "ghost" stories with only one by Conan Doyle and, in this instance, titled "The Secret of Goresthorpe Grange." Also unique is the fact that none of the stories listed in the Contents page is credited to any author, and only on the book's cover is the singular name A. Conan Doyle, misleading one to believe that the book is totally his. The title page does read: "Strange Secrets told by A. Conan Doyle and Others." I find this interesting for it demonstrates the kind of reputation and name recognition Conan Doyle enjoyed in 1895. I wonder if Conan Doyle had any litigation over this kind of misrepresentation of his name.'
From J. D. Wrigglesworth, Holland Landing, Ontario:
I am enclosing this note with my renewal of membership to let you know how much I am enjoying the publications. Your plans for the ACD Society are indeed ambitious and praise-worthy. I wish you well as you pursue these goals.'
From John W. Comstock, Buffalo, New York:
'I have been collecting and reading Conan Doyle's works for the past thirty years and am overjoyed to finally have a Society dedicated to him. I always felt that the Sherlockian groups, although a lot of fun, missed a lot of Conan Doyle's genius by ignoring his other writing."
From R. Dixon Smith, St Paul, Minnesota:
'I have just attended a Sherlock Holmes Conference at the University of Minnesota ... I delivered a paper on Charles Peace... [in which] I suggested that the BSI'S playing the game is detrimental and demeaning to ACD's reputation, and perhaps even scares off the best literary critics from subsuming ACD into the accepted world of literature (as Harold Orel, another of the Conference's participants, has suggested in one of his introductions)."
From Michael Meer, Switzerland:
'I enclose a cheque to renew my subscription to your splendid society! One of the societies where a subscription is really worthwhile!'
- Article courtesy Christopher Roden, founder of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (1989-2003).
