A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
Numismatists Do Not Fear Change
“We are now,” said he, “actually within the hydraulic press …” – The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb (ENGR) Towards the end of The Engineer’s Thumb, we learn that the hydraulic press that Victor Hatherley is hired to inspect and suggest a course of repair is actually being used to strike counterfeit coins. I have always… Continue Reading
“… I have lost my thumb, and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what have I gained!” – The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb (ENGR) In 1954, Ronald Howard and H. Marion Crawford would star as Holmes and Watson in 39 episodes of a syndicated Sherlock Holmes television series. The 30 minute episodes were produced by… Continue Reading
“… a skillful sculptor and had earned an honest living …” – The Adventure of The Six Napoleons (SIXN) Alex Shagin, now a freelance medallic artist based in southern California, cast medals featuring Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle in the early 1990s. Let’s take a look at some other of his medallic works. A 78mm bronze casting of… Continue Reading
“Here is an advertisement which will interest you …” – The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb (ENGR) Edward C. Rochette, the 5th Garrideb, and his wife Maryann started a small business selling Holmesian gifts in 1990. The business was called Sherlock, Stock & Barrel Company. Pictured above was their first advertising flyer that was sent to folks… Continue Reading
“If I were a sculptor …” – The Problem of Thor Bridge (THOR) The American Numismatic Association bestowed its Numismatic Art Award for Excellence in Medallic Sculpture this year (1990) on Alex Shagin of Los Angeles, California. He was presented with an engraved, 14kt-gold medal donated by the Franklin Mint of Franklin Center, Pennsylvania. Born… Continue Reading
“… it bore some resemblance …” – The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge (WIST) In 1991, Alex Shagin, a former head engraver with the Leningrad Mint, cast a medal featuring Arthur Conan Doyle, which was marketed by Sherlock, Stock & Barrel, a firm owned by Edward C. Rochette, the 4th Garrideb of our scion.… Continue Reading
“… it was a perfect facsimile.” – The Adventure of The Empty House (EMPT) From the George S. Cuhaj (the 14th Garrideb, aka Cardinal Tosca) Collection Alex Shagin, a former head engraver with the Leningrad Mint, was commissioned in 1990 to sculpt a medal featuring Sherlock Holmes. Cast in both silver and… Continue Reading
“… so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details …” – The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb (ENGR) Your editor has a fondness for Old Time Radio and from time to time, we are able to share recording of some of the older Sherlock Holmes radios that have a tie-in to numismatics. On… Continue Reading
“We must be thankful for what we’ve got.” – The Valley of Fear (VALL) Tomorrow, here in the United States, is our Thanksgiving holiday. It is a time to be reflective and offer our thanks for many things. We are grateful for those of you who have joined our group (we now have eighty Garridebs) and… Continue Reading
“Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!” – The Hound of the Baskervilles (HOUN) A new Sherlockian themed challenge coin has recently appeared for sale on some major online auction websites, this time featuring Snoopy dressed as Sherlock Holmes. This challenge coin, as well as several others recently appearing, feature… Continue Reading