A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
Numismatists Do Not Fear Change
“You don’t happen to have a Raphael or a first folio Shakespeare without knowing it?” – The Adventure of The Three Gables (3GAB) The British Royal Mint has announced that they will issue a set of three £2 coins honoring William Shakespeare in 2016. Each coin celebrates an aspect of Shakespeare’s famous work. All three coins have… Continue Reading
“A Nihilist plot, that’s what I make it.” – The Adventures of The Six Napoleons (SIXN) With today being the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, let’s take a look at a few numismatic items that commemorate this historical event and Guy Fawkes. In 2005, to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, the… Continue Reading
“Erected in the fifth year of the reign of James I …” – The Valley of Fear (VALL) James I (1603-25) silver Thistle Penny. S-2661. N-2106. Famous ROSA SINE SPINA (rose without thorns) issue, the legend surrounding an open Tudor rose. Reverse: legend (translated as “May God Guard These United” Kingdoms) within two beaded circles in the… Continue Reading
“But at length some sense came back to their crazed minds …” – The Hound of The Baskervilles (HOUN) Beginning next year, the Bank of England will start releasing £5 banknotes featuring the portrait of Winston Churchill. His portrait will replace that of Elizabeth Fry, a Quaker prison reformer, who had been on the banknote since 2001.… Continue Reading
“You would have made an actor, and a rare one.” – The Sign of The Four (SIGN) For many who were introduced to Sherlock Holmes during the 1980’s and 1990’s, Jeremy Brett is the first image that comes to their mind. Jeremy Brett would have turned 83 years old today. Born as Peter Jeremy William Huggins… Continue Reading
” … a promising detective …” – The Adventure of The Golden Pince-Nez (GOLD) On March 15, 2015, Sergeant Francis “Buddy” Murnane passed away from an apparent heart attack. Murnane, a NYPD officer since 1973, was the New York Police Department’s longest serving officer and had never taken a sick day during his career. He was a… Continue Reading
“… it is, indeed, the missing man.” – The Man With The Twisted Lip (TWIS) The number of police departments and related agencies that are issuing challenge coins with Sherlock Holmes themes continue to grow. In fact, while this post was being written, we literally had to “stop the presses” as we learned of a second challenge… Continue Reading
“… Emsworth, the Crimean VC …” – The Adventure of The Blanched Soldier (BLAN) In The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier (one of only two narrated by Holmes), Holmes encounters a Colonel Emsworth who is established as “Emsworth the Crimean V.C.” The V.C. – Victoria Cross medal – was instituted in 1856 by Queen Victoria… Continue Reading
“…These are the documents in the extraordinary case of the Gloria Scott, and this is the message which struck Justice of the Peace Trevor dead with horror when he read it.” – The Adventure of The Gloria Scott (GLOR) The south pacific island of Tuvalu has chosen the ship Gloria Scott and detective Sherlock Holmes as one… Continue Reading
“Have you your cheque-book?” – The Adventure of The Beryl Coronet (BERY) One of the traditions of the annual Baker Street Irregulars dinners held each January is a gift bag of assorted cards, souvenirs and assorted goodies from attendees, other Sherlockians and scions from around the globe. My home scion of Watson’s Tin Box of… Continue Reading