Hello Everyone!
As we are nearing the end of April, you may be wondering if the Spring edition of The Watsonian will be delayed. The circumstances were certainly not ideal for us and there were some surprises along the way… but I’m very happy to say that the latest Watsonian is being mailed out just as you’re reading this!
I think everyone is in for quite a treat. Our dear Buttons was very ambitious this volume and I believe the hard work and warmth he put into this edition can truly be felt. It’s over 200 pages of content and filled with fascinating contributions from our fellow John H Watson Society members.
This volume features a heartfelt memorial from Don Yates “Pal” concerning our friend and mentor beyond the terrace. I really believe that Button’s influence can be found throughout the book and it is all of the more lovely as a result.
I could tell you more about its contents, but I’d rather you experience reading it for yourself. You’ll find this special package in the mail in the course of the next few weeks, depending on the post. I hope it will arrive safely and in good speed.
However, that isn’t going to be the only book to enjoy. We are also sending our members the first volume of a series that Buttons had inspired and cultivated over the course of the past year. The first installment of The Fiction Series will be a pastiche that draws a great deal from Italian art and history: “The Adventure of the Duke’s Study” by Luca Sartori “Victor”
Our dear “Victor” put a great deal of thought and effort into his tale and his hard work shows. His mentor, Alessandra Calanchi “Bianca”, asked for me to convey this message to everyone:
“I am overwhelmed with emotion since I wish I could thank Don for this gift he has made to my student and myself. I do miss him… I would like everyone know my gratitude. Thanks a lot to everybody and congratulations for the wonderful work you all make.”
Also, you will find one more volume in the package once it arrives. Due to the difficult challenges we’ve had to face this past month, this particular book had not gone out nearly as early as originally intended and for that I apologize deeply. However, I think this work is well worth the wait, as it is a very carefully thought-out piece and an absolutely wonderful read. I’m speaking, of course, of the latest edition of our Monograph Series: “Some Observations Upon the Early Writing of John H Watson, MD, 1887-1894” by James C O’Leary “Pippin”
If you are intrigued by the title of this Monograph, you will be even more interested to know that our friend James “Pippin” shall be the new Editor-in-Chief of the Watsonian. We have assembled a talented editorial team around him composed of (but not limited to): Stephan “Dalton,” Elinor “Misty,” and Harrison “Dash,” in addition to helpful advisers such as Bob “Willow,” Andrea “Asta,” and Joanne “Sandy.” (I will continue to do design and layout for all JHWS publications.)
I would like to thank “Pippin” and the new JHWS Editorial team for their willingness to take up such a momentous task. Also, if anyone has ideas to contribute for the next Watsonian (coming this October!), then please contact our new Editor-in-Chief at pippin[at]johnhwatsonsociety.com
Now you may have noticed that I said the Monograph is one more volume in the package heading your way. Yes, that’s a total of three books! Although the Monograph Series is meant to be sold and distributed separately, we have been blessed with an incredibly generous gift for this one very special occasion. For this one time, all current members will receive a free copy of the latest volume in the Monograph Series.
In a sense, this is the final gift from our good friend Don “Buttons” as well as a heartfelt act of generosity from the lovely Andrea “Asta.”
I don’t have words powerful enough to express the full extent of my gratitude to you, “Asta,” but I hope you understand how much this amazing gift means to me. I hope my fellow members will join me in thanking you for going above and beyond to ensure the prosperity and happiness of the John H Watson Society.
I hope all of you will enjoy the new publications!
With Love,
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I don’t have, either. I am speechless. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Dear Andrea– How amazing and boundless your generousity is! Thank you so much for your kind gift(s). I feel so fortunate to have found this group. Thank you Carla Buttons, too for your magnificent work. Wow…what a team!
Thank you for everything
I hope everyone enjoys the monograph. There is no way I can adequately express my thanks to Asta except to continue to produce a magazine that meets the high bar set by Buttons. The task is made easier by the incredible people working behind the scenes and the talented membership of the JHWS.
WOW! The new Watsonian arrived yesterday! What an impressive volume! For a new scion we’ve come a long long way very quickly. We have every reason to be very proud of this! And the bonus two monographs! Christmas in April!
I don’t know what the print run of this issue is. But it strikes me that we should have some extra copies for sale in the vendors’ room in NYC in January. This would not only help fatten our coffers, but it might encourage more folks to join when they see what we are all about.
I will be a vendor in January and would be very happy to have some on my table for sale to the assembled throngs.
A serious tip of the deerstalker to “all the usual suspects” who produced this marvel! Capital, Watson, capital!
Thank you for your kind words, Darwin!
E-mail me about this idea near November and we will check to see how many more volumes we have remaining (including the October 2015 issue) and round to a nice manageable number of volumes to provide for the vendor’s room in January. I can also prepare an free explanatory flier about the JHWS as well.
This sounds like a brilliant idea! If you contact me in November or so, I can help prepare a box of things to send to you. Thank you for the suggestion, Darwin!
I’m more than glad to be of help in selling the Watsonian at my vendor’s table in January. However here’s a very early heads up. Do not send a box of Journals for me to bring to the vendors’ room. I simply can’t manage that. I will be fully loaded down and can’t carry yet another box. Said box should be sent to someone else who can bring it to the vendors’ room. Also, it would be very helpful to me if someone else were at the table to handle Watsonian sales. I have a horror of “mixing” money and losing track. But my offer of space at my table still stands!
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