A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
Numismatists Do Not Fear Change
“… I should have had a medal the size of a soup plate.” – The Adventure of The Three Garridebs (3GAR) We published a HolmeWork Assignment regarding the BSI Trust Benefactor’s Medal in January 2016. This medal has only been awarded twice – first, in 2012, to Glen Miranker, and then again in 2014… Continue Reading
A recent NI BULLETIN article (Smith, 1998) considered the copper fulus produced during the British occupation of the city of Qandahar during the Second Afghan War, and an unusual footnote is now added. It was mentioned that in the final phase of the war, on 27th July 1880, Ayub Khan “…defeated a sizeable British force… Continue Reading
“… a skillful sculptor and had earned an honest living …” – The Adventure of The Six Napoleons (SIXN) Alex Shagin, now a freelance medallic artist based in southern California, cast medals featuring Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle in the early 1990s. Let’s take a look at some other of his medallic works. A 78mm bronze casting of… Continue Reading
“Here is an advertisement which will interest you …” – The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb (ENGR) Edward C. Rochette, the 5th Garrideb, and his wife Maryann started a small business selling Holmesian gifts in 1990. The business was called Sherlock, Stock & Barrel Company. Pictured above was their first advertising flyer that was sent to folks… Continue Reading
“If I were a sculptor …” – The Problem of Thor Bridge (THOR) The American Numismatic Association bestowed its Numismatic Art Award for Excellence in Medallic Sculpture this year (1990) on Alex Shagin of Los Angeles, California. He was presented with an engraved, 14kt-gold medal donated by the Franklin Mint of Franklin Center, Pennsylvania. Born… Continue Reading
“Without art, a coin collection is just another form of bookkeeping.” – Alex Shagin Alex Shagin’s life has always been about artistic freedom and enduring coins. It’s been a long, but rewarding challenge for this defender of classical medal design. Born in Russia near Leningrad, on January 21, 1947, Alexander George Shagin is the only… Continue Reading
“… it bore some resemblance …” – The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge (WIST) In 1991, Alex Shagin, a former head engraver with the Leningrad Mint, cast a medal featuring Arthur Conan Doyle, which was marketed by Sherlock, Stock & Barrel, a firm owned by Edward C. Rochette, the 4th Garrideb of our scion.… Continue Reading
“… it was a perfect facsimile.” – The Adventure of The Empty House (EMPT) From the George S. Cuhaj (the 14th Garrideb, aka Cardinal Tosca) Collection Alex Shagin, a former head engraver with the Leningrad Mint, was commissioned in 1990 to sculpt a medal featuring Sherlock Holmes. Cast in both silver and… Continue Reading
“You are an early bird …” – The Valley of Fear (VALL) In 1982, two professors at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania — Fred Saules and Frank Vacante — organized a group of 18 Sherlockians to form a new BSI scion, Boss McGinty’s Bird Watchers. The group takes its name from the final Sherlock Holmes novel, The… Continue Reading
“‘I was going to say that my practice could get along very well for a day or two, since it is the slackest time in the year.” – The Adventure of the Naval Treaty (NAVA) Photo by Larry Feldman, Staff Surgeon of DWNP As a result of our recent Numismatic Friends of Sherlock Holmes Dinner… Continue Reading