I Hear Of Sherlock Everywhere

"that glamour of mystery and of experience" [VALL]  Generations of Sherlockians are the beneficiaries of the poems penned by Helene Yuhasova. Yet this enigmatic individual has remained something of a legendary, even ethereal presence in the history of the Baker Street Irregulars.   Who was Helene Yuhas(ova)? And were the poems, later ascribed to Edgar W. Smith of the Baker Street Irregulars, actually written by her? Whatever became of this this prolific poetess laureate, this Founding Mother?   Sonia Fetherston, BSI ("The Solitary Cyclist") and Julie McKuras, BSI ("The Duchess of Devonshire") edited the 2017 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual, "A Woman of Mystery": Helene Yuhasova, Poetess Laureate of the Baker Street Irregulars and they joined us to give us a sense of the mighty detective work that went in to tracking down the full story of a woman who left the Sherlockian movement some 70 years ago, leaving a long but thin shadow.   For our Gas-Lamp this time around, Julie and Sonia treat us to some of H

"Beacons of the future!" [NAVA]  Sherlock Holmes appreciated education. He admired the "[c]apsules with hundreds of bright little seeds in each" as he and Watson passed by the board-schools on the way out to Briarbrae in "The Naval Treaty." And he famously said, "Education never ends. It is a series of lessons with the greatest for the last," in "The Red Circle."   So it is entirely appropriate the The Beacon Society, the Sherlockian group that recognizes and supports exemplary efforts of bringing Sherlock Holmes to children, would create a new branch especially for children. It is the Junior Sherlockian Society, and it is headed up by Shannon Carlisle, a previous winner of the Beacon Award.   Through her efforts with her own classes of fourth graders, Shannon has ingeniously introduced them to Sherlock Holmes, and now it is codified so that children across the world can take part in Junior Sherlockian Training. She joined us to tell us all about the program was developed and how kids can get involved.   Is y

"the Colonel possessed a varied collection" [CROO]  There are certain hallmarks of good collectors that make them stand out. One is that they enjoy the hunt as much as they enjoy the treasure. Another is that they enjoy sharing their plunder with others who appreciate the significance of such items.    It's no mistake that we're using terms piratical to describe the Dan Posnansky, BSI ("Colonel Hayter") approach to collecting. For his collection includes the largest number of assembled pirated editions of the Sherlock Holmes stories in the world. But it also includes much more than that. And now it's up for auction.    We invited Glen Miranker, BSI ("The Origin of Tree Worship") back to talk with us, as his friendship with Dan goes back 40 years, and his own collecting abilities grew under Dan's guidance. Join us on this journey as we explore what makes a collector like Dan tick, and what are some of the gems of this once-in-a-generation auction of Sherlockian and Doylean material.    Information on sponsors

"full of spirits and energy" [GLOR]  Bonnie MacBird returns to the show, this time to regale us with her own adventures that came with writing Unquiet Spirits, her latest Sherlock Holmes novel from HarperCollins.    The book is a sequel to the popular Art in the Blood, and follows Sherlock Holmes's adventures in England, Scotland and France in the months following The Hound of the Baskervilles. In preparing for this work, Bonnie did some traveling of her own and manages to weave her own tale of intrigue around whisky experts, old distilleries, the inspiration for Hogwarts and much more.    And please consider becoming a Patron of the Arts. Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and this year, transcription services.    Sponsors This episode includes our two longtime sponsors, plus a new addition. Please support our sponsors by visiting their sites: Wessex Press, where you can discover the joys of Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle in the Newspapers

"Fixing the Nets" [HOUN]  When Chris Redmond decided to give up Sherlockian.net after 22 years, there was great uncertainty about its future. Would it be abandoned, archived, deleted or sustained? And who would handle any of the monumental work of modernizing the site that had its humble beginnings in 1994?   Enter Liza Potts, an associate professor at Michigan State University. Potts runs the WIDE Research Center (Writing, Information and Design Experience) there and just so happened to like Sherlock Holmes. But she had no idea what was in store for her.   With a handful of students and a select advisory board of Sherlockians, Prof. Potts set out to wrangle some 3,000 links and hundreds of pages, giving them the modern treatment. But as with all technical projects, there are human elements and stories galore that make this a fascinating adventure.   Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below.   And please consider becoming a Patron of the Arts. Your support helps us to ensure we can keep do

"a gang in Chicago" [DANC]    The 75th anniversary of a Sherlockian organization is a fine time to reflect on its history. So we did just that with Don Terras, BSI ("The Politician, the Lighthouse, and the Trained Cormorant") from his unique perch near an actual lighthouse.   The Hounds of the Baskerville (sic) has its roots in Chicago, thanks to one of the "Holy Three" of early Sherlockian giants, Vincent Starrett. There are about a score of other groups in and around Chicagoland, and Don takes us on a brief tour of them, as well as the storied history of the Hounds.   If you're interested in how a Sherlockian group manages to celebrate the past while simultaneously planning for the future, and about some greats in Sherlockian lore, tune in to hear Don's storytelling.   That, plus a very special and hilarious Sherlock Holmes Brand spot.   Sponsors This episode includes our two longtime sponsors, plus a new addition. Please support our sponsors by visiting their sites: Wessex Press The Baker Street Journal,

"he soon acquired a great popularity" [VALL]  Peggy Perdue, BSI ("Violet Westbury") has held the enviable position of librarian in charge of the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection at the Toronto Reference Library for over a decade. In that role, she's seen remarkable developments and has made some intriguing acquisitions.   She has ascended to a new role, but before doing so, she oversaw the development and launch of the new Pop Sherlock exhibit. As IHOSE is dedicated to the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and popular culture, we're very interested in this topic.    We discuss exactly what got Peggy to her role, what her favorite item is, and what she has learned about Arthur Conan Doyle over the last 12 years.   Our Editor's Gas-Lamp in this episode are a few paragraphs taken from Arthur Conan Doyle's own Through the Magic Door.   Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below.             And please consider becoming a Patron of the Arts. Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doin

"a case of ancient coins" [3GAR]  Dr. Watson was once on the receiving end of a rebuke by Baron Adelbert Gruner in "The Adventure of the Illustrious Client," Gruner upbraided Watson (who was incognito as Dr. Hill Barton, avid collector of Chinese pottery). When he admitted that he had not read Gruner's definitive book on the subject, he hid behind his profession: "I am a very busy man. I am a doctor in practice." "That is no answer. If a man has a hobby he follows it up, whatever his other pursuits may be. Well, Greg Ruby has certainly found time for his passion. Greg founded the group The Fourth Garrideb, a Sherlockian society made up of those interested in coin collecting. He also developed a website to accompany it, with plenty of information for those so inclined.   We cover Greg's early interested in Holmes and coins, and then take the time to explore some of the mentions of coinage in the Sherlock Holmes stories. There's much to cover, so gather up your loose change and sit close to the electronic V

"this is my special hobby" [STUD]  Every once in a great while, a book with special significance is published in the world of Sherlock Holmes fans. When the Canon was completed and the stories appeared in the first version of The Complete Sherlock Holmes; when Vincent Starrett brought forth scholarship and fun in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes; when William S. Baring-Gould, BSI ("The Gloria Scott") took a stab at compiling research and chronologies in The Annotated Sherlock Holmes; and now as Mattias Boström, BSI ("The Swedish Pathological Society") has chronicled the rise of Sherlock Holmes in popular culture.   From Holmes to Sherlock looks not at Conan Doyle's life as a biography would, and does not look at the stories as scholars would. Rather, it shows how Sherlock Holmes was brought to life and how the character evolved over time through the many creators, actors and fans who have kept the interest going.   We talked with Mattias about the creative process, his inspiration, and his other major She

"they are an extraordinarily astute couple" [VALL]    Harold and Theodora Niver (that's Tyke and Teddie to all who know them), are a unique couple, even by Sherlockian standards. They've had an abiding love of Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and Dracula for most of their adult lives, they live at Baskerville Hall, and founded and ran the Men on the Tor, a Connecticut Sherlock Holmes society. [Which just so happens to be the group where Scott first got his start in Sherlockian societies.]   But one thing that keeps them active is appearing across Connecticut as William and Helen Gillette. They make regular weekend appearances at Gillette Castle, have been special guests at the William Gillette Luncheon during the BSI Weekend, and have been hired for regular events to perform "An Evening with the Gillettes."   As both of them are members of the Baker Street Irregulars, the Nivers are part of a select group of individuals in the Florin Society - having two shillings between them. Tyke received his investiture "

"a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend possessed" [FIVE]    Curtis Armstrong, BSI ("An Actor, and a Rare One") is known by many names. Miles Dalby, Charles De Mar, Herbert Viola, Scooter, Metatron, and of course, Booger. But around these parts, he is known as a keen Sherlockian who has been part of our little corner of the universe since his grade school days. His memoir Revenge of the Nerd: Or...the Singular Adventures of the Man Who Would Be Booger tells a series of tales that will be of interest to those who only know him through his remarkable career in show business. But we wanted to get behind all of that an delve into the intersection with his many other interests, such as Sherlock Holmes and P.G. Wodehouse, among others. From Detroit to Geneva and back again, from the stage to the big screen and small screen, we explore the intricacies of nerd culture — particularly when it comes to the Victorian misfit Sherlock Holmes. Early influences of Curtis still have an impact today, and he leave

"seared into my memory" [SPEC]    Richard Lancelyn Green, BSI ("The Three Gables"), who died in March 2004, was the world's leading expert on the life and works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He amassed one of the finest collections of Conan Doyle, and specifically, Sherlock Holmes material in private hands and had intended to produce a three-volume biography on Conan Doyle.   He was not yet 30 when he co-edited the towering A Bibliography of A. Conan Doyle in 1983. He served a term as Chairman of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London. His tragically early death was mourned by both friends and those who knew of him only by reputation, and it was decided that a collection of essays should be brought out in his honor and memory.   We interview co-editors Nicholas Utechin, BSI ("The Ancient British Barrow") and Steven Rothman, BSI ("The Valley of Fear") on the resulting volume, To Keep the Memory Green. While this is a previously released episode, there are a few more interesting tidbits of information, including a

"a pair of professional beauties" [STUD]    We like to interview people who are doing interesting things related to Sherlock Holmes. Our interview subjects have included authors, publishers, society leaders, entertainers and more.   But there's one show that some listeners requested that we historically ignored. And that is a show in which we talk about ourselves. We thought that rather than simply running off at the mouth at random, it might be more in line with what you've come to expect if we interviewed each other.   And with that, Scott and Burt sat down to reveal each other's backgrounds, first meetings with Sherlock Holmes and general interest or specialty when it comes to interacting with other Sherlockians and collecting.   We hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at the hosts of I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere. It's everything you didn't want to know, and more.   Information on sponsors, links, timing notes and transcript available below.   And please consider becoming a Patron of the Arts

"actors in this drama" [SECO]  Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Their names are forever linked, just as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are. And it is their remarkable seven-year collaboration that we discuss in this episode.   You've seen their likenesses in still photos. You've probably heard their voices in audio recordings. And you've had a chance to see their films from the late 1930s and early 1940s, whether in the theater, as a Saturday afternoon matinee on television, public TV pledge drive, or perhaps on a DVD or on YouTube.   The point is this: regardless of your level of fondness or distaste for this pairing, they remain iconic and inextricably linked to their portrayals of the world's greatest detective and his medical companion. Yes, it was Nigel Bruce's version of Dr. Watson that was called boobus Britannicus, but it seemed to fit with the times and with the air of the series.    We take you on a journey from their initial outing in The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Adventures of Sherlock Holm

"in the northern provinces" [SIGN]    The Baker Street Irregulars International Series continues to forge ahead, as it published its sixth volume at the end of 2016. Joining the ranks of other countries and regions that whose scholarly works have been compiled and published by the BSI is none other than Canada.   Joining us to talk about Canada and Sherlock Holmes from the BSI International Series is one of the co-editors, Peter Calamai, BSI ("The Leeds Mercury"), MBt, C.M. Peter is one half of the editing team that took on the Canadian project, together with Mark Alberstat, BSI ("Halifax"). Peter tells us about his membership in the Order of Canada, his life as a journalist, and his foggy first meeting with Sherlock Holmes. We cover Sherlockian scholarship from north of the border, as well as the association with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that Canada has.   We haven't included a single 'eh' or 'aboot' in this episode, but we have given you a Gas-Lamp in the form of an essay from Christopher Redmond: "The Lur

"something which had never before intruded"  [VALL]  You probably remember the first time you came across Sherlock Holmes. Whether it was a Saturday afternoon matinee of a Basil Rathbone film, or a cracking open The Hound of the Baskervilles for the first time, you were hooked. But have you stopped to think about all of the firsts in the Canon? That is, what are some of the groundbreaking things that Sherlock Holmes introduced to the world of detection and detective fiction? From techniques to technology, and from puzzles to poisons, we'll take you on an exploration of the the many unique and primal examples of Holmes's processes and Arthur Conan Doyle's writing. We find our inspiration in the very first Gas-Lamp that Edgar Smith wrote for the BSJ in Vol. 1, No. 1 (Old Series), titled "The Game Is Afoot!"   Sponsors This episode includes our two longtime sponsors, plus the every-other-episode favorite, Sherlock Holmes Brand products. Please support our sponsors by visiting their sites: Wessex Press, publishe

"he braced himself to tell his story" [BERY]    It's always a treat to have guests on our show when we air interviews. But two interviews in a single show? It just isn't done! Until now, that is. We were pleased to see Lynsday Faye, BSI ("Kitty Winter") at an event at Otto Penzler's Mysterious Bookshop, launching her newest book The Whole Art of Detection. We managed to take her gently by the elbow and lead her away from her admiring fans to have a few words. Those words included "Watson," "Doyle," "voice," and many others. You'll enjoy the way they're strung together. And at a separate event at the Rosenbach Library, we met Ed Pettit, the new manager of public programs for the institution. He gave us a rundown of the latest exhibit, "Clever Criminals and Daring Detectives."   Sponsors This episode includes our two longtime sponsors, plus the every-other-episode favorite, Sherlock Holmes Brand products. Please support our sponsors by visiting their sites: Wessex Press, publishers of A Curious Collection of D

"have even contributed to the literature of the subject" [REDH]  We know that the field of writings about Sherlock Holmes has been plowed thoroughly for over 100 years. In fact, it began as far back as 1902, according to some research, being thrust into the limelight with the Oxford lectures of Fr. Ronald Knox. Publications like the Baker Street Journal and the Sherlock Holmes Journal have been cranking out their issues multiple times a year since the mid-20th century, and other regular periodicals as well as hundreds upon hundreds of books have dedicated themselves to the study of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's works about Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes. Does it show any sign of abating? What can we learn about the next wave of our hobby, based on looking at the past? We look at some of the cornerstones and collected works to give a sense as to what we can expect from Sherlockian scholars of the 21st century.   Sponsors This episode includes our two longtime sponsors. Please support our sponsors by visiting their

"it is the only personal introduction" [SUSS]  "Just what the world needs," you tell yourself. "Another biography of Arthur Conan Doyle." Full disclosure: we thought the same thing. Until we read Arthur and Sherlock by Michael Sims. And then our attitudes changed. And then even more so after having a conversation with the author. Fortunately, we recorded that conversation and we're sharing it with you here. Michael shared with us the impact of books on his young mind, his journey to writing, and how his earlier works on E.B. White and Henry David Thoreau inspired his style for this book. From Baring-Gould to Joseph Bell, we touch on many familiar names and go deep into this exploration of the elements that inspired Conan Doyle to create his master detective. And, if you listen carefully, you'll discover how a certain intestinal discomfort prevented Doyle from killing himself.   And please consider joining our Patreon community. Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hostin

"not enough to hold her back"  [YELL]     You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Sherlock Holmes news item these days. Wait — perhaps that's not the best metaphor. How about "you can't turn around without seeing a Sherlock Holmes story." Much better. We decided to pick a handful of news (and non-news) stories related to Sherlock Holmes and go to town. From Stephen Fry's recent audio recordings of the stories to using the Canon as a modern-day text for would-be Joseph Bells in training, to British shows available via a new streaming service in the US, to Sherlock Holmes as a model for writers — these stories and more make up our paean to the great detective. Plus, Lyndsay Faye inspired our Gas-Lamp with her piece "Why We Can't Get Enough of Sherlock Holmes."   Sponsors This episode includes our two longtime sponsors. Please support our sponsors by visiting their sites: Wessex Press, home of the ever-expanding Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle in the Newspapers, now at Volume 3. The Baker Street Journal, w