I Hear Of Sherlock Everywhere

"Have you heard nothing of doings hereabouts?" [VALL]  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a complex man. We know him mostly for his Sherlock Holmes stories, but he was so much more. His interest in spiritualism began far before his son's death, for example. And his storytelling abilities span historical and legal topics, as well as drama and poetry in addition to fiction. The Doings of Doyle podcast by Paul Chapman and Mark Jones explores the multifaceted personality and outputs of this giant of an author. Mark Jones joined us to talk about the origins of the show, what he and Paul discuss, and surprises he found along the way. And of course, the multiple links to Sherlock Holmes throughout. Don't miss the latest Canonical Couplet, as we give you an opportunity to raid the vaults of IHOSE. Answers are due by 11:59 pm EDT on June 14, 2020. The prize will be a copy of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Please do consider becoming a Patron of the Arts. Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doing what we do, co

"the apple of his eye" [SILV]  "Art in the blood is liable to take the strangest of shapes," Sherlock Holmes told us in "The Greek Interpreter." And in the case of Regina Stinson, it takes a number of fascinating shapes. Regina Stinson, BSI ("A Little Ribston-Pippin") is a longtime Sherlockian who was so determined to meet with other like-minded people that she established her own society. She takes us on that journey which ultimately led to her selling Sherlockian jewelry at events and eventually online. Sherlockians are fascinating people, and Regina does not disappoint. Don't miss the latest Canonical Couplet, as we give you an opportunity to raid the vaults of IHOSE. Answers are due by 11:59 pm EDT on May 29, 2020. The prize will be... a surprise!   Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below. Please do 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.   S

"he sat musing for a little while" [CREE]  We muse about a great many topics, both here and on our companion show, Trifles. So it seemed only perfect to bring on Sheldon Goldfarb, author of Sherlockian Musings: Thoughts on the Sherlock Holmes Stories. We certainly had our expectations met, but they were also exceeded, as Sheldon brought in his knowledge of William Makepeace Thackeray, shared some broad themes that reverberate throughout the Canon, and even expounded on the difference between evaluation and analysis when it comes to the Sherlock Holmes stories. A valuable resource for Sherlock Holmes society meetings as well as for individual Sherlockians, his book, published by MX Publishing, is something we should all have at our fingertips. We continued our tradition of our regular quiz, Canonical Couplets with another round. Answers are due by 11:59 pm EDT on May 14, 2020. The prize will be Sheldon's book. This episode was recorded live, and edited for your enjoyment. Information on sponsors, links, and no

"a series of lessons with the greatest for the last" [REDC]  The BSI Press continues its Professions Series in 2020, this time with Education Never Ends: Education, Educators, and the Sherlockian Canon. And we sat down with Marino C. Alvarez, Ed.D., BSI ("Hilton Soames") and Timothy S. Greer, BSI ("Ragged Shaw"), editors of the volume. They schooled us on all of the ways that education plays a role in the Sherlock Holmes stories, from evil-natured teachers to those who would literally give up their life for a student. We journeyed through the city and country, and from elementary (ha!) through university life. We followed up on the Canonical Couplet that we did live in the last episode, and in this episode our prize is an edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes with an introduction by Eric Ambler from 1974. Answers are due by 11:59 pm EDT on April 29, 2020.   Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below. Please do consider becoming a Patron of the Arts. Your support helps us to ensure we

"discussion of those questions which lie between us" [FINA]  In an effort to cheer the spirits of the home-bound and continue reveling in Sherlock Holmes, we decided a show with just Burt and Scott discussing current affairs was, in addition to brandy, just what the good doctor ordered. Given that all Sherlockian gatherings this spring have been cancelled or postponed, we used this as a jumping-off point for imagining what kind of virtual gatherings we might be able to instigate. We had a few ideas, but our live audience added to the mix as well. Plus, we talked a bit about personality types, what we're grateful for, and a curious box that arrived on Scott's doorstep. We didn't miss out on the Canonical Couplet, and for one lucky listener, we're offering a copy of Michael and Mollie Hardwicke's The Sherlock Holmes Companion. Get your answer in before April 14 to qualify!   Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below. Please do consider becoming a Patron of the Arts. Your support helps us to

"the artist had brought out the full effect of the lustrous black hair" [NOBL]  Frank Cho, BSI ("The Duke of Balmoral") is an artist known worldwide in the comic industry. From his early strips in college to his work with Marvel and D.C., he is an artist whose services are in high demand. Cho is also a Sherlockian, and has been one for quite some time. It's only recently though that his profession and his hobby have begun to find a common thread.  We chatted about the evolution of his talent and his career, as well as what the future hold in store for this very talented artist. We have a wonderful prize for this episode's Canonical Couplet. What is it? Tune in to hear what you could win if you try your hand at our tricky quiz.   Please do 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 Wessex Press is our lead sponsor. They've been with us for nearly the enti

"Holmes gave me a brief review" [THOR]  You may recognize the name Steven Doyle, BSI ("The Western Morning News"). He's half of the Wessex Press team, and he was the publisher behind The Sherlock Holmes Review — that Sherlockian quarterly that ran for a decade. Steve joins us to talk about the impetus behind the publication and why Wessex Press is bringing it back to life. He also shares many details behind the legendary interview with Jeremy Brett and how the Granada team really got into the spirit of the magazine. We have a wonderful prize (see below) for this episode's Canonical Couplet. Try your hand at our tricky quiz and you may be able to win a Sherlock Holmes action figure, still in its original packaging.   Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below. Please do 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 Wessex Press is our lead spon

"your wide experience of turf matters" [SILV]  The sport of kings horse racing is part of the Sherlock Holmes lore. It's also part of a tradition in Sherlockian events going back some 70 years. The BSI Press has issued a new book, Upon the Turf, that is a comprehensive look at horse racing in the Canon, Victorian England, and the Baker Street Irregulars, as well as associated topics such as gambling, drugs (quite an associated set of vices!), the law, art, and history. Candace J. Lewis, BSI ("A Little Art Jargon") and Ira Brad Matetsky ("The Final Problem"), together with Roger Donway, edited this volume related to horses and horse racing. Candy and Ira join us to talk about the inspiration behind the volume and our own Burt Wolder describes his contribution to the scholarship. The Canonical Couplet is back, and the prize for this episode is a copy of the BSI Press booklet Commissionaire: Julian Wolff and his Baker Street Irregulars by Sonia Fetherston. This booklet was distributed to attendees of the Lilly C

"pursuing some laborious researches" [3STU] The name William S. Baring-Gould is one of a hallowed few in the pantheon of Sherlockian scholars. He is one of the handful of chronologists who has attempted to put the stories in a particular order, using a number of research techniques. He also wrote the first unofficial "biography" of Sherlock Holmes with his Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street: A Life of the World's First Consulting Detective. And his name is synonymous with his magnum opus from 1967, The Annotated Sherlock Holmes. The 2019 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual looks at all of these things and more, making this legend come to life as a fully-formed and high achieving individual. Julie McKuras, Tim Johnson, Richard Sveum, and Gary Thaden joined forces to bring us this well-deserved biography of this hero of so many Sherlockians. We spoke to Julie and Tim to hear what went into writing this book and special discoveries they made about Baring-Gould along the way. While you can't buy a copy of the Chri

"a certain quiet primness of dress" [MUSG]  For the last 26 years, Beau Ties Ltd. has been a Vermont-based U.S. manufacturer of bow ties. And sometimes we see glimpses of Sherlock Holmes coming through. Because we're bow tie fanciers and astute observers of things, we decided to chat with an executive from Beau Ties Ltd. to understand their thinking. So we sat down with Cy Tall, President of Beau Ties Ltd. From her choice of college major to her consulting career, Cy's decisions eventually led her to this fascinating industry. She tells us about how the team gets its inspiration for tie names, how clubs can work with Beau Ties to get their own custom ties, how the conversion service (convert your neck tie to a bow tie) came about, how the company has accommodated more than just men with its products, and more. We also have a special Beau Ties Ltd. discount for IHOSE listeners: just use the code HOLMES15 at checkout from January 15-30, 2020 and you'll enjoy 15 percent off your order. Also, tune in for the late

"Light-houses, my boy! Beacons of the future!" [NAVA]                    The Beacon Society needs your help. In particular, it needs you to spread the word to teachers, librarians, students and more.   Established in 2003, the Beacon Society introduces young people to the Sherlock Holmes stories and recognizes people who are doing their part to do the same. Through grants, awards, essay contests and more, the group has many resources and opportunities for all who wish to get involved.   In this episode, we're joined by Headlight Denny Dobry, BSI ("A Single Large Airy Sitting Room") and Communications Chair Steve Mason, who tell us about the priorities of the group and what you can expect ahead.   Also, tune in for the latest Canonical Couplet. We have another opportunity for you to win a prize in this episode.     Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below.       Please do consider becoming a Patron of the Arts. Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doing what we

"he returned refreshed to his monograph upon the Polyphonic Motets of Lassus" [BRUC]  Perhaps you recall Watson mentioning in the midst of "The Bruce-Partington Plans" that Sherlock Holmes took his mind off of things while waiting for crucial information by losing himself "in a monograph which he had undertaken upon the Polyphonic Motets of Lassus." Perhaps you've wondered who Lassus was. That would be Orlande de Lassus (or Orlando di Lasso), a Renaissance composer, who along with Palestrina, was one of the most influential musicians of the late 16th century. But what did a "polyphonic motet" sound like? And what were these motets composed for? And why should Sherlock Holmes have an interest in them? We have the answer to all of these questions and more from Ann Margaret Lewis, herself a Sherlockian and a soprano who performs liturgical music. Ann joins us to get us hooked on phonics, to explain the relevance of this beautiful music, and to identify a clip from the Jeremy Brett Granada series. Also, tune in f

"well acquainted with his daily routine" [RESI]  When we named our show I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere, it was an acknowledgment that we can find Sherlock Holmes-inspired activity virtually any place we look. But our guests on this episode show us that they could see it being named I Hear of Sherlock Every Day. Levi Stahl and Stacey Shintani are the authors of The Daily Sherlock Holmes: A Year of Quote from the Case-Book of the World's Greatest Detective, published by the University of Chicago Press. In actuality, the quotes are from across the entirety of the publicly-available Sherlock Holmes stories, with the exception of the handful of stories from The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes not yet out of copyright. With 378 quotes (that's one for each day of the year, plus an introductory quote for each month), how does one chose the appropriate quotes for an entire daily devotional? What patterns did Levi and Stacey discover? What Easter eggs await? Our conversation traces their fascinating journey from shared rea

"at this conference" [MAZA]  We took the show on the road! Burt and Scott ventured to Bloomington, Indiana for the Baker Street Irregulars' conference "Building an Archive" at the Lilly Library at Indiana University. It was an event filled with conversations and exhibitions that delighted all, collectors or not. The event was the celebration of the BSI Archive officially opening at the Lilly. It featured a walk-through the exhibition "The History of the BSI Through 221 Objects" and a number of panels about the archive, collecting, collectors and more. We bring you some of the voices from the event, including a number of presenters, the informed staff of the Lilly, the conference organizers, and more. These people include Marsha Pollak, Ray Betzner, Peter Blau, Glen Miranker, Steve Rothman, Mike Whelan ("Wiggins" of the BSI), Hartley Nathan, Michael Kean ("Wiggins"-in-the-wings), Joel Silver, Erika Dowell, and BSI Conferences lead Ross Davies.   SPECIAL OFFER: listen closely after the break for a special offer

"Your conversation is most entertaining" [SPEC]  Usually things run like clockwork around these parts. But with both Burt and Scott on the road for work, and trying to coordinate daytime, evening, and even weekend schedules with various guests, sometimes it doesn't work out. So, we're returning to our roots and just having a chat with each other. It's a wide-ranging conversation that takes us from the 92nd Street Y with Joel Grey and Nicholas Meyer (Joel Grey played a small part in The Seven Per-Cent Solution, of course), to the Sons of the Copper Beeches in Philadelphia and their new members. In both instances, we discuss the importance of tradition. We remember a member of the BSI who recently passed away and his considerable contribution to Sherlockian scholarship. Speaking of the BSI, we mention the upcoming BSI Weekend. It hasn't been officially announced yet, but you can follow at a couple of sites.   We also make an announcement of a special and exclusive episode, only for our Patreon supporters. If yo

"this peculiar incident" [SIGN]  He was almost single-handedly responsible for the revival of interest of Sherlock Holmes in the 1970s with The Seven Percent Solution. Now, 45 years after his first novel about Sherlock Holmes, Nicholas Meyer, BSI ("A Fine Morocco Case") returns with The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols. The case takes us to January of 1905, when Holmes and Watson are summoned by Mycroft to undertake a clandestine investigation. A British Secret Service agent was found floating in the Thames with a manuscript smuggled into England that cost her life. The pages are supposedly the minutes of the meeting of a secret group intent on taking over the world: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Holmes and Watson are sent to determine whether it's a hoax, what the perpetrators are trying to accomplish, and why they want to keep their work out of the hands of the Secret Service. What's different this time around, some 19 years after his previous Holmes novel? Where did he get his inspiration? We ta

"being out of the ordinary" [LADY]  Since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle first began the tradition in 1927, Sherlockians worldwide have debated which are the "best" Sherlock Holmes stories. There have been polls, surveys and lists. Articles, books, and debates. The core list is usually consistent, with a few variables along the way. Ashley Polasek—a familiar name to listeners of I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere—took up the challenges as only she could: considering the stories and their reinterpretation over the years. The character of Sherlock Holmes has evolved over the years in multiple media, and as someone with a doctorate in adaptation studies, Ashley was in the perfect position to write Being Sherlock: A Sherlockian's Stroll Through the Best Sherlock Holmes Stories (Lyons Press). She joins us to share the thinking that led to her curated list of ten short stories and one novel from the Canon. And she has a suggestion for a future potential I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere gift. Plus, be sure to tune in for the latest

"it would be a great pleasure" [SIGN]  Acclaimed biographer Christopher Sandford joins us to discuss his book The Man Who Would Be Sherlock: The Real-Life Adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle. But this isn't a biography. As Sandford explained, there was a perpetual itch that Conan Doyle had to scratch, and his writing wasn't enough to satisfy it. How did his lifelong crusade pan out? Why did he embrace spiritualism so fervently when he also valued the scientific method? How did he feel about the dissolution of his friendship with Harry Houdini? We discover the answers to these questions and more in our conversation with Chris, as well as the gothic setting of his own childhood, which was eerily similar to Conan Doyle's—and, how a cricket match led to him writing Mick Jagger's biography. Plus, be sure to tune in for the latest Canonical Couplet to see if you won. We have another opportunity for you to win a prize in the latest round.   Please do consider becoming a Patron of the Arts. Your support helps us to e

"furnished lodgings close to a library" [3STU]  When you have a world-class collection, it makes sense for a world-class institution to house it. And not just any such institution (as there are many), but one that can meet the needs of the depositor. In this case, we're talking about the BSI Archives and the Lilly Library—two venerable institutions. From November 8-10, 2019, the BSI is hosting at conference at the University of Indiana, where the Lilly Library resides. Titled "Building an Archive: A Celebration of the Arrival of the BSI Archive at the Lilly Library," it will feature scholars, collectors, and enthusiasts alike and will encompass two and a half days dedicated to the collection. The centerpiece of the event will be a special exhibition, "The History of the BSI Through 221 Objects," at the Lilly Library. How did the curators and trustees choose these items? What are they? and what will happen during the symposium? Guest Glen Miranker, BSI ("The Origin of Tree Worship") and Ross Davies, BSI ("The

"he was not the man that they had known" [CREE]  Christopher Sequeira is a familiar name among those who enjoy speculative fiction. That's the intersection of horror, fantasy, science fiction, and super hero. And that's where his connection with Sherlock Holmes resides as well. Where did Chris first get inspired in this direction? In the latest book he has edited, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Was Not, Chris assembled authors to write short stories that share this premise: what if Sherlock Holmes teamed up with doctors other than John H. Watson? If there are parallel universes out there, then there's an infinite number of possibilities. It's a unique angle, and Chris's own story sets it up with great gusto.  Join us for this discussion of what's possible and hear about Chris's approach to his craft, as well as some fascinating stories about Harlan Ellison and Fu Manchu. How did you do on the last Canonical Couplet giveaway? Listen for another opportunity to win a prize in the latest round.   Information on spons