A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
Numismatists Do Not Fear Change
“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
“Her cuisine is a little limited …” – The Adventure of The Naval Treaty (NAVA) Baker Street Elementary #26 was originally published on October 25, 2015 by the Crew of the Barque Lone Star and is reprinted here with permission. The Crew of the Barque Lone Star is a Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas based Sherlock… 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
“‘Do you find it interesting?’ ‘To a collector of fairy-tales.’” – The Hound of The Baskervilles (HOUN) Arthur Conan Doyle’s interest in spiritualism has been well documented. In 1917, two young cousins, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright, were photographed with “fairies,” near Cottingley, England. These photographs were shared with a few family members who then… Continue Reading