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Category Archives: Phone Cards

The 1987 Phone Card of the Baristu Society of Japan

The 1987 Phone Card of the Baristu Society of Japan

“I have some knowledge, however, of baritsu, or the Japanese system of wrestling, which has more than once been very useful to me.”

– The Adventure of the Empty House (EMPT)

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Many of the visitors to this website probably recall the days when pay phones were a common site when walking down a city sidewalk or inside a hotel lobby. You would drop a few coins into the phone, dial the number and make your call.  Perhaps you would use a calling card  if you were making a long distance call. In the mid 1990’s, there started to appeared prepaid calling cards by some enterprising companies, such as AmeriVox. These prepaid calling cards would generally have 50 call units that would be redeemed at a fixed ratio as the call progressed, until the card would have no remaining call units.

In Asia, prepaid calling cards are quite prevalent and frequently used to promote products or services. Public phones are equipped with card readers.  A user would insert the prepaid card into the reader, make the phone call and when finished remove the card.  The card reader would punch a small hole into the card, prior to its removal, showing approximately how many call units remain, if any.

This particular phone card was issued in 1987 by the Baritsu Society of Japan and was good for 50 units. Featuring a Sidney Paget drawing in black ink on a green background, it also has printing in white and red inks.

A Russian Discount Card for Ms. Hudson’s Coffee House

A Russian Discount Card for Ms. Hudson’s Coffee House

“… Mrs. Hudson entered with the tea and coffee.” – The Adventure of the Naval Treaty (NAVA) This is a 5% discount card used on purchases at Ms. Hudson’s 221B Baker Street Coffee House in Moscow. We’ve been able to translate some of the phrases printed on the card. кофейня translates as Coffee House while… Continue Reading

TFG Issues Two Souvenir Cards During 2020 BSI Weekend

TFG Issues Two Souvenir Cards During 2020 BSI Weekend

“It is a little souvenir…” – A Case of Identity (IDEN) For the third consecutive year, The Fourth Garrideb issued a souvenir card for the Baker Street Irregulars Weekend this past January. Attendees of the annual BSI Dinner, the Dinner for “The Woman,” and the Gaslight Gala received one of our 8.5 by 11 inch souvenir… Continue Reading

Waterstones Issued Sherlock Holmes Themed Gift Cards

Waterstones Issued Sherlock Holmes Themed Gift Cards

“… like all special gifts …” – The Valley of Fear (VALL) At one time or another, most of us have received prepaid gift cards as presents, either for birthday or holidays or other special occasions. Many retail firms offer up a variety of designs to potential customers, and the British book store chain of Waterstones is… Continue Reading

A Sherlock Hound Phonecard

A Sherlock Hound Phonecard

” Holmes the sleuth-hound” – The Red-Headed League (REDH) We discussed Sherlock Hound on these pages before. 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 anthropomorphic dogs. Sherlock Hound was the title given to the series when syndicated… Continue Reading

Faces of Holmes: Peter Cushing

Faces of Holmes: Peter Cushing

“… this man here – is an actor.” – The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place (SHOS) John Mills as Watson, Peter Cushing as Holmes in The Masks of Death (1984). This would be Cushing’s last role as Holmes. My first introduction to Peter Cushing was as Grand Moff Tarkin in a 1976 movie Star Wars. I would later become familiar… Continue Reading

Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke on a Phone Card

Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke on a Phone Card

“Thanks to the telephone…” – The Adenture of the Retired Colourman (RETI) Many of the visitors to this website probably recall the days when pay phones were a common site when walking down a city sidewalk or inside a hotel lobby. You would drop a few coins into the phone, dial the number and make… Continue Reading