A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
Numismatists Do Not Fear Change
“… the badge of a society.” – The Adventure of The Five Orange Pips (FIVE) The Sons of the Copper Beeches, the noted Philadelphia area scion of the Baker Street Irregulars, has a rigorous process for membership in their society. After attending three meetings, guests become “apprentices” who are eligible to advance to “journeyman” status by flawlessly reciting… Continue Reading
“Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travel-worn and battered tin dispatch-box with my name, John H. Watson, MD, Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid.” – The Problem of Thor Bridge (THOR) Watson’s Tin Box, a BSI scion that meets in Columbia, Maryland, share a… Continue Reading
“… it was a present from a certain gracious lady …” – The Adventure of The Bruce Partington Plans (BRUC) This past Tuesday (November 10, 2015) BBC Sherlock star, Benedict Cumberbatch, received his Commander of the British Empire order from Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. We first reported that Cumberbatch would be receiving… Continue Reading
“You don’t happen to have a Raphael or a first folio Shakespeare without knowing it?” – The Adventure of The Three Gables (3GAB) The British Royal Mint has announced that they will issue a set of three £2 coins honoring William Shakespeare in 2016. Each coin celebrates an aspect of Shakespeare’s famous work. All three coins have… Continue Reading
“A Nihilist plot, that’s what I make it.” – The Adventures of The Six Napoleons (SIXN) With today being the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, let’s take a look at a few numismatic items that commemorate this historical event and Guy Fawkes. In 2005, to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, the… Continue Reading
“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
“… 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
“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