A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
Numismatists Do Not Fear Change
“… an incomparable actor.” – A Study in Scarlet (STUD) When I hear the name of Buddy Ebsen, I recall his nine seasons as Jed Clampett on the CBS television series The Beverly Hillbilliies. Others recall his role as Georgie Russel, Davy Crockett”s sidekick on the Disney mini-series of Davy Crockett. Ebsen would portray detective Barnaby Jones… Continue Reading
“My publishers give me a most discouraging account of its sale.” – The Adventure of the Resident Patient (RESI) The ancient coin collection of the late Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, celebrated author and creator of the Sherlock Holmes mystery thriller series, has been acquired by the firm of Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York,… Continue Reading
Coin Designer To The World Famed British coin designer Thomas Humphrey Paget, whose art adorned the coins of 19 countries, died recently in England. He was 81. Paget, whose signature, “H P,” was carried by millions of coins around the world, received his training at London’s Central School of Arts and Crafts. He later studied… Continue Reading
Paget Used Initials H.P. As Signature On His Works Little did Thomas H. Paget, Burwash Common, Sussex, England, realize that six years after he sketched King Faisal II of Iraq in the lad’s tiny school bedroom at Harrow, the King would be the victim of an assasin’s gun. Paget, designer of coins and medals of… Continue Reading
“I’d like two shillin’ better” – The Sign of the Four (SIGN) Some Sherlockians are puzzled by references to money in the Sherlock Holmes adventures – “a fifty-guinea watch” in The Sign of Four, a pipe that cost “seven-and sixpence” in “The Yellow Face.” The British monetary system was undoubtedly complicated. A pound was divided into 20 shillings,… Continue Reading
“It might be his portrait.” – The Hound of the Baskervilles (HOUN) In January 2019, the British Royal Mint will be issuing a series of 50 pence coins honoring Sherlock Holmes. Late yesterday, an image of the coin’s design was leaked and shared to the World of Coins website. Below is the proclamation authorizing these coins, as… Continue Reading
“It mentions the legend in one of these references.” – The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire (SUSS) In 1987, Larry Hall, a machine shop operator in Morgan, Utah, issued a token in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes. What makes this token different from other tokens featuring Sherlock Holmes is the metal… Continue Reading
“Holmes held up a sovereign.” – The Adventure of the Priory School (PRIO) Between November 6, 1984 and May 21, 1985, 26 episodes of the animated series Sherlock Hound aired in Japan. Based on the Sherlock Holmes stories, the characters were portrayed by anthropormorphic dogs. Sherlock Hound was the title given to the series when syndicated in the United… Continue Reading
“No coins were to be found” – The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb (ENGR) I read a pastiche recently in which Sherlock Holmes pays somebody for something with “a guinea coin.” Or perhaps I should say, I read another pastiche recently in which such a thing happens. No doubt the author was trying to establish… Continue Reading
“Now and again I drive down to Sotheby’s or Christie’s.” – The Adventure of the Three Garridebs (3GAR) Period Americana, a Boston, Massachusetts-based auction house recently conducted their Sale 50: Ephemera, Revolutionary War, Civil War, RPPC Timed Sale. Of interest to us is Lot 177: Lot 177: Coin from Sherlock Holmes’ Conan-Doyle collection Est: $350 –… Continue Reading