I Hear Of Sherlock Everywhere

" dancing across the paper" [DANC]  The opportunity to see an original Conan Doyle manuscript up close and to transcribe it word for word is a rare one. Which is why Ray Betzner, BSI ("The Agony Column") jumped at the opportunity and buttonholed David Morrill, BSI ("Count Von Kramm") to assist with the editing Dancing to Death, the latest volume in the Baker Street Irregulars Manuscript Series, which covers "The Adventure of the Dancing Men." Ray tells us about his budding interest in Sherlock Holmes and how it began with his discovery of Vincent Starrett — and a twice-failed driving test. And he continues with the origin story of this long-unseen manuscript, the choice of authors and topics — from an authority in ciphers to the first BSI to see the manuscript, to the role of sound, to the "manuscript police" — and an admiration for the ingenuity, creativity and expertise for their work. But it goes deeper than that: Ray shares his misgivings about this story, which is one that it is actually a failure for Sh

"their celebrated colleague" [VALL]    It's 2017 and we're back from the BSI Weekend, with tales of friends, listeners, authors and more. Things we learned included Bonnie MacBird's next Sherlock Holmes novel that involves whisky; a future edition of a Sherlock Holmes companion from Cambridge University Press; the Society of Illustrators has a wonderful cafe, where we held the annual meeting of the Three Hours for Lunch Club, and subsequently, we'll be recommending Frederic Dorr Steele as a future Hall of Fame Member at the Society. We debate the possibility of or need for regular electronic updates of the eBSJ archives — or even a concurrent digital option of the Journal — leading to a broader discussion of print versus digital publications.   And of course we touch on the latest goings-on with Sherlock.   The Gas-Lamp this time is made up of the lyrics of the Harvey Officer song "On the Road to Baker Street," with abject apologies to Rudyard Kipling, Frank Sinatra, and anyone with a musical ear.      Sponso

"Yes, Mr. Holmes, I teach music." [SOLI]    It's our final show of 2016, we welcome Karen Wilson to the program to discuss a variety of musical associations of hers with Sherlock Holmes. From teaching to composing to performing, she does it all, and incorporates that into her Sherlockian pursuits.   We're treated to one of the best toasts of the year, "Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street," performed for us by Karen. It was inspired by "Alexander Hamilton" from the hit musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and it does not disappoint.   Karen shares with us her muse, the creative process, her other inspirations and more in this memorable interview. Plus, a solution for getting kids to put down those pesky electronic devices. Burt and Scott mention some Sherlockian resolutions for 2017; what are yours? And do you have suggestions for guests for 2017? Let us know with a call, a comment, or an email.       And please consider becoming a regular supporter of ours on Patreon. Your support helps us to meet product

"It is for the convenience of these that the Diogenes Club was started" [GREE]  Sherlockian societies are literally everywhere. Go ahead and check — we'll wait. And just as there are many things that make them unique, there are just as many that bind them together. Whether it's traditions, geography, frequency, or program style, Sherlock Holmes is at the center of it all. And while Sherlock and his brother Mycroft felt right at home at the Diogenes Club, which was created for the most unsociable and unclubbable men around, Sherlockian gatherings exist for just the opposite reason. We band together because we're gregarious people and we have a common love of all things related to the Sherlock Holmes stories. Burt's recent travels have taken him to a number of Sherlock Holmes groups, and he reflects on what's special about each. You might find some confluence with groups you belong to; or perhaps there are stark differences. Leave us a comment and let us know what you think other interested Sherlockians should

"Holmes crouched down behind the screen" [HOUN]   Every four years, the Baker Street Irregulars host a conference of sorts. We shared with you some of our impressions from the Chautauqua conference in Episode 104.   This time, we step back to the conference immediately preceding it - Behind the Canonical Screen, which took place in Los Angeles at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in 2012. We're joined by Lyndsay Faye, BSI ("Kitty Winter"), ASH and Ashley Polasek, ASH, who co-edited the book containing the papers and presentations from the conference, Sherlock Holmes: Behind the Canonical Screen, published by the BSI Press.   They tell us about the goings-on at the conference, of watching the screenings while attending an academic symposium, the power of symbolism, costume and more. We have two sponsors, plus a bonus Sherlock Holmes Brand ad, for your listening pleasure.   Please consider becoming a regular supporter of ours on Patreon. Your support helps us to meet production costs.   Sponsor

"If a man has a hobby, he follows it up" [ILLU]  One of the perennially favorite sets of episodes is the Sherlockian 101 series we did (originally Episode 4 and Episode 5). Many of our longtime listeners may have heard these, but some may not have listened to them in a while. And we recognize that we may have new listeners who may not have gone through our extensive back catalog. Therefore, we decided to resurrect and combine these episodes into one larger show to help you understand just what goes in to this little hobby of ours. From the original stories, to the advent of Sherlock Holmes as a pop culture figure, our love of all things Victorian and just getting started, you'll get a good grounding in the language and customs of our hobby. Then, we'll help you understand the community of people that we call Sherlockians (or is that Holmesians?) who have been at this for over 100 years. From the publications they produce to the meetings they hold, we'll give you a grounding of the language, names and even tra

"Excellent, Watson! You scintillate today." [ILLU]  In 2017, we'll celebrate the 10th anniversary of A Scintillation of Scions, appropriately called "a family reunion for Sherlockians." In this episode, we're fortunate to be able to speak with the founder of the event, Jacquelynn Morris, BSI ("The Lion's Mane"). From an AOL discussion board to membership in one of Maryland's finest Sherlockian societies, we hear about Jacquelynn's first meeting with Sherlock Holmes and the many people who have influenced her along the way. Hers is a story that typifies the magnificent power of friendship and colleagues as one finds one's way into the world of Sherlock Holmes fans. It includes the encouragement of outsiders and younger individuals, a fine tradition which Jacquelynn herself carries on today. We also touch on topics such as Undershaw and Chris Redmond's latest publication About Sixty: Why Every Sherlock Holmes Story is the Best. Much like an onion, the more layers we peel back from Jacquelynn, the more we discov

"now bright, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned" [TWIS] After nearly 130 years in print, it seems like the phenomenon of Sherlock Holmes may have peaked. And yet, it's likely that every generation may have thought that - including the one in which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was still writing the original stories.   We've often said that every generation has its Sherlock Holmes, and when we move beyond the printed page, it's quite true. From William Gillette to Eille Norwood, Arthur Wontner to Basil Rathbone, Ronald Howard to Douglas Wilmer and Peter Cushing, not to mention Robert Stephenson, Nicol Williamson, Jeremy Brett, Robert Downey, Jr., Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch. These are just a handful of names from two forms of media.   Sherlock Holmes fades but manages to come back, with no sign of abatement. Each time, the fandom receives a shot in the arm and there's a high-water mark left when the tide recedes. Then, it happens again, perhaps increasing slightly. But the interest in the c

"The detectives and I must have echoed it" [VALL]    Laurie R. King, BSI ("The Red Circle") and Leslie S. Klinger, BSI ("The Abbey Grange") are no strangers to the mystery genre. Laurie is probably best known for her Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes stories, and Les has annotated the Sherlock Holmes stories, Dracula, Sandman and H.P. Lovecraft.   Together, the two have edited two anthologies of stories inspired by Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Sherlock and In the Company of Sherlock Holmes. They're back at it again with a third volume, Echoes of Sherlock Holmes, and we sit down with them to discuss what it's like pulling together the work from a wide variety of mystery writers.   If you'd like to see Laurie and Les in person, they'll be at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 1 at 2:00 pm; and at Book Passage in Corte Madera, California on October 8 at 5:00 pm. And there will be a celebration of the publication of Echoes of Sherlock Holmes via the Sherlock Holmes Breakfast Club in Los Angeles on Octob

"I had never heard of the institution" [GREE]    Every four years, the Baker Street Irregulars, the New York-based literary society dedicated to studying Sherlock Holmes, arranges an excursion somewhere in the United States. These events happen outside of the usual BSI Weekend, and like the weekend itself, are open to all interested Sherlockians.   The first in 2004 took the group to Salt Lake City on the trail of A Study in Scarlet; then in 2008, the group went to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania to the locales that inspired The Valley of Fear; in 2012, Los Angeles played host to a film-related conference. And in 2016, the group headed to the Chautauqua Institution for "The Mind and Art of Sherlock Holmes."   And this time, we were there! We managed to not only listen to and see some wonderful presentations, but we gave one of our own on the future of our little publication. But in the meantime, we nabbed a few of the speakers and got their stories — stories that went beyond the presentations. We even have some audi

"they were said to be a most united couple" [DANC] You might call them the first couple of the Baker Street Irregulars. Albert ("Inspector Bradstreet") and Julia ("Mrs. Turner") Rosenblatt have graced the Sherlockian scenes as a couple since the early 1970s. We had a chance to visit them at their home in New York, where we heard about a little girl named Margie and an unrelated trip to Meiringen were responsible for sparking the interest that led to so many amazing things. From arranging the quinquennial Sherlockian dinners at the Culinary Institute of America with Master Chef Fritz Sonnenschmidt, BSI ("Simpson's") to writing Dining with Sherlock Holmes, and providing us with the BSI year-in-review in verse and a second generation Sherlockian, Al and Julie have been sparking plugs for many others.   Join us to hear why this hobby is about more than the collective events and publications; it's about relationships.   Notes 1:36 Intro 2:55 Listener comments 7:33 Your comments, please 9:35 Sponsor: The Wessex Pr

"In summer it is a favourite resort" [VALL]    How often do you think of hot summer weather when you read the Sherlock Holmes stories? According to our calculations, it should be about 25%. But it doesn't seem that way, does it? It turns out that 16 of of the 60 stories took place in the summer months. For those of you keeping track at home, they are (according to William S. Baring-Gould):  "The Boscombe Valley Mystery" - June 1889 "The Man with the Twisted Lip" - June 1889 "The Engineer's Thumb" - Summer 1889, alternatively August or July "The Stockbroker's Clerk" - June "The Crooked Man" - Summer - August, 1888/9 "The Greek Interpreter" - Summer "The Norwood Builder" - August 1894/5 "The Dancing Men" - July 1898 "Black Peter" - July 1895 "The Six Napoleons" - July/August 1900 "The Cardboard Box" - August late '80s "His Last Bow" - August 1914 "The Mazarin Stone" - Summer 1903 "The Three Garridebs" - June 1902 "The Lion's Mane" - July 1907 "The Retired Colourman" - Summer 1898 We also take you to the Nor

"the professional enthusiasm which carried my companion" [SIGN]    When your interview guest says that she was hooked on Sherlock Holmes based on the line "I confess that I covet your skull," you know it's going to be a fun and unusual discussion. Even more fun is the fact that Rebecca Romney is an extraordinarily well read and well informed Sherlockian, partially owing to the fact that she is also a rare book dealer. Professionally, she works with Honey and Wax Booksellers, but you may recall her from one of her appearances on Pawn Stars, where she was the rare books expert. Rebecca shares her journey, which goes from a youth filled with books to a degree in linguistics and classics, teaching English in Japan and launching Bauman Rare Books' Las Vegas gallery in 2007. Along the way, we discover other Sherlockians that Rebecca has met, the finer points of bookselling (and training to become one), and the magic of having conversations about books with people. The conversation ranges from Ronald A. Knox to Burg

"I am one of a hundred" [ILLU]  Well, we managed to do it. And it only took us nine years, an 18-month hiatus, one lost episode and thousands of fans.   That's right, it's our 100th episode.   We asked you what you wanted to hear for the centenary of the first podcast for Sherlock Holmes devotees, and time and again, we heard from you, telling us to do a retrospective - a look back at our favorite moments from what we've accomplished. We also asked you what your favorite moments are and what you wanted to know from us. Well, we managed to deliver on both.   Our 100th episode gave us a chance to reflect on exactly what turning 100 means, and to dive back into our murky and fuzzy origins. We try to answer some of your queries and we celebrate those who joined us previously before launching into our top memories of the show, as represented in audio clips. Our Gas-Lamp features two readings, including a new one created just for this episode. Finally, we wrap up with a couple of important announcements that you

"Billy had appeared in answer to a ring." [MAZA]                It's a rare thing to find a Sherlockian legend these days, but Chris Redmond certainly qualifies as one. From his investiture in the Baker Street Irregulars at the tender age of 16 to his long association with the Bootmakers of Toronto, he is a respected speaker at all kinds of Sherlockian events. And online, he's probably best known for his longstanding and comprehensive reference site Sherlockian.net.   Chris's writing output is impressive, steady and ranges from the scholarly to the humorous. In Bed with Sherlock Holmes, Welcome to America, Mr. Sherlock Holmes and A Sherlock Holmes Handbook are all well known and in depth volumes about Arthur Conan Doyle's great detective. But in this interview, we move beyond the written page and get into Chris's inspirations and aspirations (still!).   You'll learn what Chris's initial career choice was before moving along to communications and how that initial proclivity stayed with him. You'll hear about

"Oh, he has a European fame, has he?" [REDC]  While Sherlock Holmes is firmly rooted in London, the connections to Europe in the Sherlock Holmes stories are many. But have you ever stopped to ponder, as a whole, how mentions of the Continent and various European countries stack up? You might be surprised.   Travel with us as Burt and Scott take a deeper look into some of the European influences that Conan Doyle infused into the various stories. From Moriarty's European reputation to the "European situation" mentioned in "The Second Stain." What was so delicate at the time and who was Lord Bellinger? We note how refugees were treated in Europe in the time of The Valley of Fear. We even do an accounting of Holmes's fine work for many of the royal houses of Europe.   In addition, we treat you to a rundown of some Sherlock Holmes news, we welcome Steve Mason as our quiz contestant and have a special themed Gas-Lamp from The Sherlock Holmes Journal to fall in line with our European topic. All this and more!   

"After an excellent voyage the Hotspur landed us at Sydney" [GLOR]       Australian Sherlockians are some of the most amazing people. We had the opportunity to put our theory to the test not once, but twice. And the most recent occasion was in April 2016 on a visit to Sydney.   There we met with some wonderful and fun Sherlockians: Bill Barnes, BSI, Roseane McNamara, BSI, Kerry Murphy, Christopher Sequeira, Doug Elliott, BSI, Robert Veld, Erin O'Neill, and Malcolm Ellis, to be specific. While we were there, we had a chance to learn about their own unique experiences and got them to tell us a few stories of life as a Sherlock Holmes fan Down Under.   In this episode, we'll take you there through music, sound effects and good old imagination. We hope you come along on this voyage with us. We promise it won't end the same way that the Gloria Scott met its fate.   As a bonus, here are some images of the Passengers:       Our special thanks goes out to Mary Miller for her extraordinary Patreon support! Won'

"See how beautifully the spring works" [STUD]   Spring is here! Suh-per-ing is here! Life is skittles and life is beer... You may not have realized this, but more than a quarter of the Sherlock Holmes stories occurred in the spring. We took the opportunity to call out a few of them an delve into why the season worked as both a setting for the stories and as tool to juxtapose Holmes and Watson.   Of course, we don't stop there, as we chat about what our 100th episode may contain (just four episodes away!), a trending book topic on Twitter, the masterful scholarship that William S. Baring-Gould leveraged to determine his chronology, and welcome special guests Tom Lehrer and Orson Welles.   The Sherlockian news is here to get you caught up, our Gas-Lamp is from the current issue of the Baker Street Journal (Vol. 66, No. 1), Rob Nunn joins us as a victim contestant on Mental Exaltation, and we give you a sneak peek into what IHOSE Episode 97 will contain. Our special thanks goes out to Mary Miller for her extra

"It is a curious collection." [MUSG]  You've probably heard us extolling the virtues of A Curious Collection of Dates: Sherlock Holmes Through the Year on previous shows. We're big fans of this book. But after this episode, you'll understand why we're also fans of the authors.   Leah Guinn and Jaime N. Mahoney join us to give us the backstory on what it was like to develop the concept and bring this reference tome to life, including their decision to go with a premier publisher like Wessex Press, where their book wouldn't languish and become a remainder.    In our interview with Leah and Jaime, we uncovered their major source for dates — none other than William Baring-Gould's chronology from The Annotated Sherlock Holmes, backed by Ernest Zeisler'simpressive chronology, Martin Dakin's and others as needed, not to mention online sources such as the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Wikipedia and Ancestry.com.   We also enticed Leah and Jaime to share their favorite entries with us. And rather than givin

"absolute nonsense" [VALL]      This episode is a little different. As you know, we alternate between interview shows and Burt and Scott discussing whatever comes to mind. In this case, we had a number of news-related items to stitch together, but we had help in doing so. This was something of a chowder, a goulash, a salmagundi, a boullabaise, a melange of content.   First, Bob Katz, BSI ("Dr. Anstruther") joined us again, but this time he told us all about "The Mind and Art of Sherlock Holmes" — the latest in the BSI's series of quadrennial conferences. This gathering at the Chatauqua Institution is not exclusive to Baker Street Irregulars; it's open to any Sherlockian who wishes to participate in a conference centered around art of all sorts. In this case, that includes theater, film, music and even podcasting (!). Plenty of food, drink, Sherlockian shopping, sightseeing and more.   Rachel Smillie, Ph.D. is a research assistant at the University of Porsmouth, where she's conducting a study of Sherlockians