A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
Numismatists Do Not Fear Change
“I have a small pawnbroker’s business …” – The Adventure of the Red-Headed League (REDH) This month’s HolmeWork assignment might turn out to be a wild goose chase. In the two years since our group was formed, I have heard whispers from other Sherlockians about a possible medal that was issued by the Sherlock Holmes… Continue Reading
“… such a dear, kind old clergyman.” – A Scandal in Bohemia (SCAN) In the November 1989 edition of Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press, Peter E. Blau published this nugget: Jan. 6 (appropriately) will be the publication date of Ben Wood’s new THE PHILATELIC & NUMISMATIC HOLMES (40 pp., $5.00 postpaid pre-publication and $6.00 afterward). The following month, Blau would… Continue Reading
“Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!” – The Hound of the Baskervilles (HOUN) On May 13, 1997, Great Britain issued a four stamp series with the theme of Tales of Terror. The four stamps features designs of the Hound of the Baskervilles, Dracula, Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Many… Continue Reading
“… as free as an income of eleven shillings and sixpence a day will permit a man to be.” – A Study in Scarlet (STUD) The canon references a variety of coins and their nicknames, common enough for the Victorian reader, but quite confusing for those in the twenty-first century. Even more perplexing was the… Continue Reading
“… the counterfeiter stands in a class by himself …” – The Adventure of the Three Garridebs (3GAR) 2007 Oscar-winning film The Counterfeiters told the story of plans to flood the UK with fake banknotes The August 15, 2016 edition of The Evening Standard has a report by Robert Dex of a new exhibition on… Continue Reading
“If you have a fancy to see your name in the next honours list” -The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans (BRUC) On May 20, 2016, Beryl Vertue received the Commander of the British Empire from Prince Charles during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The Gazette had the following commentary when it was announced on… Continue Reading
“… besides being an incomparable actor.” – A Study in Scarlet (STUD) On February 12, 1972, the American Broadcasting Company televised a new version of The Hound of The Baskervilles, starring Stewart Granger as Sherlock Holmes and Bernard Fox as Doctor Watson. This was the first version to be filmed in color in the United States. The… Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: In light of the current Olympic Games in Rio, I decided now would be a good time to reprint this 1995 article. This is being done with some reservation. The last paragraph of this article and the original photograph caption above emphatically states that Arthur Conan Doyle assisted the Italian marathoner to finish the race. ACD… Continue Reading
“… I’ve got more pounds to my name …” – The Adventure of The Gloria Scott (GLOR) A fantasy £20 bank note for the Bank of London, featuring Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, was released for sale in late July 2016 on many of the online auction services. The notes are incredibly well detailed and at… Continue Reading
“Now and again I drive down to Sotheby‘s …” – The Adventure of The Three Garridebs (3GAR) A few weeks back, we published a post illustrating the three pages of the 22 lots of coins from the Arthur Conan Doyle collection, that was auctioned on May 9, 1913. Thanks to Dr. Ted V. Buttrey of the Fitzwilliam Museum… Continue Reading