Congratulations to our Member, Ashley Mayo “Argos,” who informs us that he has been appointed as Treasurer of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London. Ashley is a Charter Member of JHWS from England. The Society extends its congratulations on this distinguished appointment.
Society Member Diane Gilbert Madsen Wins Award
Society Member Diane Gilbert Madsen “Lass,” an author of note, has won Honourable Mention at the 2015 London Book Fair for her new book, The Conan Doyle Notes. This is a wonderful honour and we extend congratulations to “Lass.”
Her book is available on Amazon.
The Fourth Garrideb Formed
Greg Ruby “Robin” of The John H Watson Society announces the formation of The Fourth Garrideb:
The Fourth Garrideb was formed on August 9, 2014 during the World’s Fair of Money in Chicago with 7 founding charter members “of the finest period.” TFG is a group of Sherlockian coin collectors and numismatists who are looking to document the 175+ numismatic items featuring Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Arthur Conan Doyle and related items. In addition, we look for numismatic references within the Canon and related stories.
TFG posts irregularly (60 posts to date since our formation) about Canonical and Conanical numismatics at www.FourthGarrideb.com. TFG has the motto of “Numismatists Do Not Fear Change.” TFG was recognized as a scion of the Baker Street Irregulars in September and is also a member club of the American Numismatic Association.
Lifetime memberships are available for $22.10, with details at fourthgarrideb.com/join-us. Those joining now will be considered charter members “of the Alexandrian School,” while those joining after the charter period will be considered as “the rest of a bad lot.” Members receive email notifications of when new posts are published, a membership certificate and a Garrideb dekadrachm (which we do not recommend polishing as Nathan Garrideb was doing).
TFG will be mainly a virtual society, but hopes to have meetings with other Sherlockian societies in conjunction with major coin shows around the country. Tentative arrangements are being made for 2015 in Portland, Oregon and Chicago for the spring and summer conventions of the American Numismatic Association.
Member of The John H Watson Society are encouraged to explore this interesting new group at their website.
Fascinating New Book by Member Chris Music “Russell”
Please see Dr Watson’s Library for news of a new book by Chris Music, “Russell” about the great scion club The Amateur Mendicant Society.
Ron Lies “Chips” is Home!
“Chips” is home after his surgery and doing well. He thanks everyone who sent along good wishes. His TidBits will be returning soon! We’re all happy you are back to Watson and Holmes! His email is: relies2@outlook.com
A Serious and Sad Note
Our good friend and Member from UAE and India, Kumar Bhatia “Bobbie,” remembers the global reach and potential of Doctor Watson and Mr Holmes and sends this poignant thought:
Dear Friends and Fellow Watsonians:
Extremely sad and, indeed, terrible news about the shooting down of the Malaysian Airlines flight.
Why?
See what Sherlock Holmes had to say, more than 125 years ago:
“What object is served by this circle of misery and violence and fear? It must tend to some end, or else our universe is ruled by chance, which is unthinkable.”
Thank you, Bobbie, for your thoughts and for reminding us of the enduring hope of a better humanity in the Canon.
Dan Andriacco’s Post is Spot On!
Our Member, Dan Andriacco “Dutch” has a wonderful post today about becoming involved in your hobby. This is very much worth reading. And, as an excellent bonus, he has a wonderful photograph of three youthful, esteemed and attractive Watsonians: Himself, Ann Lewis, and Bonnie MacBird. Take a look:
Kind Review From a Kind Sherlockian Author and Member
Dan Andriacco, JHWS “Dutch” wrote a kind review of the April issue of The Watsonian. You may wish to read it on his most interesting website: http://www.bakerstreetbeat.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-watsonian-does-it-again.html
We appreciate “Dutch’s” comments. You will also find his regular postings to be highly informative and entertaining. His books, as well, are always a fine read.
New Book by Robert Ryan “Caesar”
Robert Ryan has a new book, the second in a highly praised series about Dr Watson and his wartime experiences. Please see Dr Watson’s Library for more information.
New Book by Charles Press, JHWS “Rofer”
Prof Charles Press has a new book from MX Publishing: A Bedside Book of Early Sherlockian Parodies and Pastiches. It is fully described in Dr Watson’s Library. Please take a look. Congratulations Dr Press! You will also enjoy “Rofer’s” clever and very entertaining article in the April 2014 issue of The Watsonian: “Musgrave Ramble.”
Denny Dobry “Kirby” has Successful Open House
Our Charter Member, Denny Dobry “Kirby” and a member of the Baker Street Builders, who have replicas of the Baker Street rooms constructed within their homes, held an open house Saturday, April 26, 2014 and hosted 34 visitors from 12 Sherlockian societies.
Denny writes:
Buttons:
We had a very enjoyable afternoon at 221b this afternoon. We had 34 attendees representing 12 different Sherlockian Organizations.
I’ve attached a photo of my grandson Brett (as Billy) and myself as Barrymore, Staples, Brunton, Carson or any other butler who one could think of.
How wonderful to see another generation of Sherlockian/Watsonian potential being introduced to the Canonical Life. Thank you Denny for sending us this delightful news and a picture of two most handsome Watsonians. The picture (and Brett) embody what we are all about!
The Society’s Birthday and that of our Founding Chair
Today is the birthday of The John H Watson Society. We are one year old. It is also the birthday of our Founding Chairman, Prof. Don Yates, BSI “The Greek Interpreter” and JHWS “Pal.”
We extend best wishes to all Society members and, particular good wishes to Prof Yates on his birthday. It was all meant to be.
If You Will Be In London . . .
A fun adventure awaits those of you who may be in London on May 23, 2014. This was received from our member Michele Lopez, President of Uno Studio in Holmes of Italy:
Dear Sherlockian Friends
Our society, Uno Studio in Holmes, has organized a Sherlockian trip to England in the weekend from the 23rd to the 25th of May, 2014.
We’ll come from various parts of Italy and we’ll meet in London for three days of Holmes-related fun and good time.
We plan to dine at the Criterion Restaurant in Piccadilly on Friday, May 23rd, around 8:30 pm. We shall be very happy to welcome anyone that happens to be in London in those days, who wants to join us for a dinner in commemoration of the first historical meeting between Watson and young Stamford in that same location.
We’ll have a trip to Portsmouth on Saturday, May 24th (reserved for society members) and a London walk in search of Holmesian locations (from Baker Street to St.Bartholomew’s Hospital and the SH Pub) on the morning of Sunday, May 25th. Around 2.00 pm we’ll have high tea at The Orangery, Kensington.
If you are interested in participating in one of these events, please let me know by e-mail, since we need to make reservations well in advance.
I hope to see you in London,
With my warmest regards,
Michele Lopez
President
Uno Studio in Holmes
Interesting Website: The Ocular Helmsman
A recent new Loyal Member, Katherine Aldritch of Helena, Montana, curates a very interesting and well-done website that our Society members may find worth visiting regularly. It is The Ocular Helmsman containing a wealth of Sherlockian and Watsonian. The link is:
A New Book By Andrew Solberg and Robert Katz
Please visit Dr Watson’s Library page to learn about the wonderful new book in the BSI Manuscript Series titled, Irregular Stain, by JHWS Charter Members Andrew Solberg and Robert Katz.
Congratulations to Four Society Members Receiving BSI Honours
The Society extends congratulations to Jacquelynn Morris “Daphne,” Harrison Hunt “Dash” and Christopher Music “Russell” on their investitures into the Baker Street Irregulars at last evening’s Annual Dinner in New York. “Daphne” now adds BSI “The Lion’s Mane” to her biography, “Dash” adds BSI “The Something Hunt” and Christopher adds BSI “Wagner Night at Covent Garden” to his.
The Society also congratulates Randall Stock “Brandy” on his great honour of having the Two Shilling Award bestowed upon him for his notable achievements.
All of the members of the Society join in extending our congratulations on this distinctive honour for all of you.
Robert Katz, MD, JHWS “Willow,” BSI “Dr Ainstree” to be the Society’s “Unofficial Ambassador” to the BSI Weekend
The Society is honoured to report that Robert Katz, MD, JHWS “Willow” has graciously volunteered to represent the Society as our “Unoffical Ambassador” (in true Holmesian and Watsonian “irregular unofficialness”) during the Baker Street Irregulars Annual Weekend in New York City. He will endeavor to inform BSI members and others of the worthy pursuits of The John H Watson Society and to encourage interest in our activities and collegiality.
Dr Katz is a renowned Sherlockian with a special interest in reaching out to young people with enthusiasm for the Canon. He has distributed copies of The Watsonian to young readers and encourages them to submit articles to our journal.
“Willow” has a highly distinguished Sherlockian and Watsonian history and will be a most able, qualified and enthusiastic Ambassador of our Society.
His biography follows:
“I have been a Sherlockian since my early teens, but John Watson has always seemed to be the focal point of my interests. I received my BA from Haverford College (alma mater of all three Morley brothers) and then received my MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. I trained and worked in a variety of places before settling in Morristown, NJ, in 1987, and recently retired after 35 years of practicing Pathology. In 1983, I received the Titular Investiture of “Dr. Ainstree” from The Baker Street Irregulars and in 1995 I received the Two-Shilling Award. I founded The Epilogues of Sherlock Holmes, in New Jersey, in 1990. I am also the current Headmastiff of The Sons of the Copper Beeches in Philadelphia. My ASH investiture is “Dr. Jackson”. In addition, I have served as both Commissionaire and Gasogene of The Six Napoleons of Baltimore and am a member of The Five Orange Pips. I am an active member of most of the scion societies in the New York area (including Mrs. Hudson’s Cliffdwellers and The Montague Street Lodgers).
I have had the pleasure and honor of speaking at many scion society meetings, the John Bennett Shaw workshop in Williamsburg, and at several of the Annual Dinners of The Baker Street Irregulars.
I have been published in The Baker Street Journal, The Baker Street Miscellanea, The Serpentine Muse, and various scion society publications. Most recently, I co-edited with Andrew Solberg (also a Charter Member of this group), the latest volume in the BSI Manuscript Series, entitled The Wrong Passage. Andy and I are currently working on another volume in this series.
Perhaps because of our mutual profession, perhaps because I admire his personality so much, Watson has always fascinated me. I am pleased and proud to be joining an organization devoted to his remarkable life and admirable works.”
Vincent Brosnan: Beyond the Terrace
We announce with great sadness the passing of Vincent Brosnan, JHWS “Beeton” and BSI “That Gap On That Second Shelf” on 28 December 2013 (1933-2013).
Mr Brosnan is featured on our Watsonian Limelight page. He was a renowned and remarkable Bookman, one of the last great bookmen and the end of an era.
We have stood upon the terrace for the last time and “Beeton” has now moved in membership to Honourary Emeritus Member.
Please join together in a quiet moment of kind reflection for Vinnie who passed this way with great integrity and left us all immeasurably better for his presence.
A Consultation of the Society: 27 December 2013
Two days after Christmas, as per the Canonical text, a Consultation of the Society was held in Napa, California at the home of Charter Members Andree and Chuck Youngson, “Belle” and “Jeeves.” The gracious hosts prepared the wonderful classic British dinner of roast beef with all the trimmings and additional dishes, appetizers, and desserts, as well as a liberality of wines, were brought by members. Suffice it to say that the warmth of hospitality, conviviality and superb cooking have seldom reached such heights in the post-Christmas quietude.
The afternoon also served as a meeting of the Napa Valley Napoleons of S.H., Dr Don Yates, “Pal” in the chair. The “Blue Carbuncle” radio drama starring Sirs Richardson and Geilgud was listened to and discussion followed.
Prof Yates called the Society’s third Consultation to order. The nine Founding and Charter Members present included Prof Yates and Dr Joanne Yates “Pal and “Sandy,” Andree and Chuck Youngson “Belle” and Jeeves,” Bruce Taylor “Booker,” Alice and Donald Schueler, “Goldie” and “Ascoyne,” Andrea Stewart “Asta” and Don Libey, “Buttons.”
Prof Yates called the Consultation to order at 3:00 p.m. A toast to Dr Watson was offered and celebrated. A motion was made to proceed with Bylaw #5 and to adjourn the meeting as no other business was before the Society. The motion carried and the Chair adjourned the Consultation at 3:05 p.m. Following the meeting, a fine bottle of aged port was poured and sticky toffee pudding was enjoyed by all.
Welcome to Michael Ellis, JHWS “Lobo”
The Society is pleased to extend its greetings to Mr Michael Ellis, JHWS “Lobo” of Plymouth, Michigan. We hope to have Mr Ellis’s biography soon and will embellish this welcome when it is received. Until then, we send our new member greeting:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive”
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive”