This week’s Forum asks you to compare the personality, qualities and attitudes of the original literary Dr Watson and the personalities, qualities and attitudes of the various present day screen and TV Dr Watsons. How are they different from the Victorian original, or are they?
Membership Renewals: A Reminder
Membership Renewals
On January 15, 2015 we sent an email to all 125 Members who are due to renew their memberships in this renewal cycle. To refresh memories: if you joined before December 31, 2013, you were due to renew in January of 2015. If you joined after January 1, 2014, you are due to renew in January of 2016. You can visit the Members Page and see the headings stating when you are due to renew if you are unsure.
To date, we have Members who have not renewed. We believe this is because they did not read the email or it went to their Junk Mail file because they have not listed the Society as an authorized email sender.
It’s simple to renew. Just visit the Membership Page and click on the pull-down menu and select either U.S. or International membership. This will take you to PayPal where you may pay using PayPal transfer or by credit card. If you prefer, you can send a check. Email to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com for the mailing address for sending checks.
We need all of you to continue to be a stable and active publishing Society. All of our membership revenues (and then some) go to publishing The Watsonian and The Monograph Series and The Fiction Series. You are important to what we do and we need your continued support. Please renew today.
Thank you.
Weekly Quiz Posted
March 6th Events . . .
March 6, 1881: Holmes tested some pills on the landlady’s dying dog. Or, was it Watson’s bull pup mentioned in the conversation that they had about each other and their habits before they moved in at 221B, as some Sherlockian scholars have noted?
March 6, 1881: Jefferson Hope was captured. It seems strange to me that Hope would not recognize the 221B address as one that was in the ad for the ring.
“Chips”
On March 5, This Happened
March 5, 1881: Stangerson found stabbed to death at Halladay’s Private Hotel.
March 5, 1881: an old “crone” retrieved the woman’s wedding ring advertised as ‘found’ in the ad placed by Holmes. By Hope’s own admission, this person was not Jefferson Hope, so who was she or he? Hope took the secret with him to the hereafter. Any idea’s out there?
Today, March 4 . . .
March 4, 1881: Drebber was poisoned and died. Or was it a justifiable retribution? A woman’s wedding ring was found.
March 4, 1881: “What on earth is this?” I cried, for at this moment there came the pattering of many steps in the hall and on the stairs, accompanied by audible expressions of disgust upon the part of our landlady.
“It’s the Baker Street division of the detective police force,” said my companion gravely; and as he spoke there rushed into the room half a dozen of the dirtiest and most ragged street Arabs that ever I clapped eyes on.” From A Study in Scarlett.
Weekly Forum: 2015 #10 Details . . . Details . . .Details
This week’s forum concerns the nagging details that separate the Canonical masters from the apprentices, and are the hallmark of the Sherlockian psyche.
Throughout the Canon, Dr Watson wrote references to illumination; specifically, lamps. How many different types of lamps are found in the Canon . . . interior, exterior, celestial . . . .?
March . . . Daily Happenings by Holmes and Watson
Ron Lies “Chips” has provided the Members with a calendar of Canonical events for March. Check back at “Chips’ Tid Bits” periodically and see if you remember these daily happenings and can name the book or story.
March 3, 1881: Businessmen Drebber and Strangerson bid adieu to Madame Charpentier.
Weekly Quiz: 2015 #10 A True Mystery
RESULTS: No one successfully plumbed the depths of the quiz question this week.
ANSWER: Peregrine Phillips was from Bristol. He invented the process to distill H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) commercially at low cost. He was, therefore, considered the 19th century “Father of H2SO4” which was called commonly “vitriol.” From there, you can quickly get to Kitty Winter, the pain of Baron Gruner, and ILLUS. Vitriol is also mentioned in BLUE. The real Baron Gruner died in 1860, well before the story, but he apparently was borrowed by Watson for authenticity.
Okay. You don’t care for genealogy. Here is a deductive mystery for this week:
This Bristol Peregrine was indirectly the cause of pain to a European nobleman who died in 1860. Identify the nobleman, the Peregrine, the link, and the story or book in which the reference occurs.
Please submit solutions to this very difficult quiz question to Buttons by noon Wednesday, March 4.
Good luck!
Le Guide du Film Sherlock Holmes by Thierry Saint-Joanis
The Society has received a copy of the astounding new publication detailing the research accomplished by our esteemed Member and Leader of Societe Sherlock Holmes de France, Thierry Saint-Joanis “Tristan” with the collaboration of Society Member Alexis Barquin “Olivier,” Bernard Oudin, and Stephen Almaseanu, and with thanks to la Cinematique Francaise.
The large-format, 66 page publication provides in-depth articles, reviews, original documents, profiles and a plethora of photos of the various actors, clips, sets, and a wealth of additional information on the recently discovered 1916 film originally made by Essanay and starring the incomparable William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes and Edward Fielding as Dr Watson. One must believe that reading the book may just be more enjoyable than watching the movie; it truly is that good.
As this film was only recently discovered, the publication is absolutely masterful for its scope and coverage, as well as detailed documentation of the film, in so short a period of time. Our French colleagues have demonstrated their remarkable scholarship as well as publishing skills with this magnificent book.
The Society extends its admiration and congratulations to Societe Sherlock Holmes de France, and to Thierry Saint-Joanis, Alexis Barquin, and their associates for producing this seminal work on this milestone film in the Sherlocian milieu.
Requests for information on obtaining a copy may be sent to: http://www.sshf.com/boutique.php
Weekly Forum: 2015 #9
This week’s forum asks you to name your favourite character from the Canon in a film or TV series.
For instance, Buttons’ all-time TV series favourite character is Mr Henry Baker as played by Frank Middlemass from the Granada Television series “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” starring Jeremy Brett and David Burke in the 1984 production of “The Blue Carbuncle.” Frank Middlemass (d.2006) was the quintessential British Museum antiquarian, pub tippler, and wearer of a bowler hat. The equanimity with which he meets life’s misfortunes shows his wonderful British resolve and hopeful positiveness or, as Dickens’ irrepressible Wilkins Micawber says, “Something will turn up.”
Who is yours?
A Discovery?
Our valued Member, Kumar Bhatia “Bobbie” from UAE, sends us word in The Guardian of the discovery of a new story, potentially written by the Literary Agent, and found in an attic in Scotland. Already, there has been an outpouring of media attention to this event from across the geographical and the Sherlockian worlds.
In a number of discussions by noted Sherlockians on respected blogs, the weight of the proof would seem to necessarily fall on the side of proving its authenticity; most comments cite numerous reasons for doubting its provenance as being written by the Agent.
Here at the good doctor’s consulting rooms, we will await the definitive diagnosis, doubtless to come from the hobs and nobs of the Sherlockian milieu. Instead of declaiming, we have decided to have a nice meat pie and a pint, sit quietly on our stool, and await further news from the Scottish Borders.
As always, we are indebted to Kumar Bhatia, our “Bobbie” and a proven “bloodhound” for breaking news in the world of Baker Street.
Weekly Forum: 2015 #8 Something Different!
This week, we are trying something a bit different: you create the topic or topics for the week’s discussion. They can be on the Canon, the characters, fandom, TV, radio, film, cosplay, London, or whatever enchants your imaginations.
Please add a comment and ask a question or comment on a topic and let’s see who responds. We can have as many topics, comments, replies and re-replies as members care to provide. Here is your chance to participate with that one burning topic you have been wanting to talk about for years! Go for it!
See Quiz Page for a Special Question!
Weekly Forum: 2015 – #7 Continuing the Forum on Canon Residence Names
NEW DISCOVERY UPDATE: 12 February 2015
After a close review of the entire Canonical text, Buttons has added a number of corrections, as well as seven new entries to the Canonical Residence Names List found on the February 3rd post. The new entries include: Aston Manor; Boscombe Hall; Capleton; Charlington Hall; Elrige’s Farm; The Gables; and Westbury House. Corrections or additions (in italic) include: Stoke Moran Manor House; Myrtles (Latimer); Ridling Thorpe Manor; Appledore Towers; and Oxshott Towers (Folliot/Ffolliot).
We now believe this to be the accurate and definitive listing of Canonical Residence names and the occupants; however, we always welcome corrections, additions, and questions pertaining to the catalogue of names.
This week we would like to continue the discussion on the Canonical Residence names that was begun last week. Please add your comments to this topic that has stimulated quite positive interest.
We are hoping to evolve an article or possibly a joint monograph from the discussion. An interesting bit of information was discovered by Buttons this week while reading through an eighteenth century register of British Manors. A manor and manor house dating from the fifteenth century was located at Reigate in the County of Surrey. The description, in many ways, fits the description of one of the houses in The Reigate Puzzle. Additional research is being done and perhaps a brief article could be written on these similarities. The Manorial history of Great Britain and the Lordships of the Manor evidence is full of fascinating vignettes and may offer some insights to the residence names chosen by Dr Watson for the stories.
Member Bill Mason “Billy” Honoured
Our loyal Member, Bill E Mason “Billy” from Tennessee scored an Honours Hat Trick recently. He was invested in the BSI as “White Mason,” was named a Master Bootmaker (MBt) by the Bootmakers of Toronto, and was appointed Head Light (President) of The Beacon Society. The Society extends its warmest congratulations to “Billy” for a trio of achievements well-deserved.
Holmes Versus Philosophers: From Margie Deck “Gwen”
Margie Deck “Gwen” sends this along. It’s fun and interesting. See how you do!
Weekly Forum: February 3, 2015
NEW INFORMATION: February 6, 2015
The Weekly Forum for February 3, 2015 asks about the British tradition of naming their homes. From those dwelling names throughout the Canon, what conclusions can we make regarding Dr Watson’s choices of those names for his stories? Has there been a Catalogue of Canonical Residence Names created by anyone in the past? Is this a literary endeavour worthy of addressing by the Society?
A Canonical Compendium of Residences and Occupants
The John H Watson Society
February 6, 2015
Listed are the names of the residences and occupants named in the stories and books of the Canon. It is the Society’s hope that, eventually, Members will chose one or more of these residences and offer research on the place names and the British tradition of naming homes. The Society envisions individual or cooperative articles for The Watsonian or perhaps monographs arising from this research into the Canonical Nomenclature of Residences. Please contact Buttons if you have interest in writing an article or monograph.
Canonical Residences and Occupants Story/Book
Abbey Grange (Brackenstall) ABBE
Albermarle Mansion (Melville) WIST
Appledore Towers (Milverton) CHAS
Arnsworth Castle SCAN
Aston Manor 3GAR
Baskerville Hall (Baskerville) HOUN
Birchmoor (St Simon) NOBL
Birlstone, Manor House of (Douglas) VALL
Boscombe Hall (Turner) BOSC
Briarbrae (Phelps) NAVA
Briony Lodge (Adler) SCAN
Camden House EMPT
Campden Mansions (La Rothiere) BRUC
Capleton (Backwater) SOLI
Carriton’s SUSS
Carston Castle (Holdernesse) PRIO
Cedars, The (St Clair) TWIS
Charlinton Hall (Woodley) SOLI
Cheeseman’s (Ferguson) SUSS
Chiltern Grange (Carruthers) SOLI
Copper Beeches (Rucastle) COPP
Crane Water (Armitage) SPEC
Deep Dene House (Oldacre) NORW
Dingle, The (Harringby) WIST
Elrige’s Farm (Elrige) DANC
Fairbank (Holder) BERY
Folkstone Court HOUN
Forton Old Hall (Williams) WIST
Gables, The (Stackhurst) LION
Grosvenor Mansions (St Simon) NOBL
Hales Lodge (Barker) VALL
Harvey’s SUSS
Hatherley Farm (Turner) BOSC
Haven, The (Bellamy) LION
Haven, The (Amberley) RETI
High Gable (Henderson-Murillo) WIST
High Lodge (Oldmore) HOUN
Holdernesse Hall (Holdernesse) PRIO
Hurlstone Manor House (Musgrave) MUSG
King’s Pyland (Ross) SILV
Laburnum Lodge (Brown) SIXN
Lachine (Barclay) CROO
Lafter Hall (Frankland) HOUN
Manor House GREE
Mapleton (Backwater) SILV
Merripit House (Stapleton) HOUN
Myrtles, The (Latimer) GREE
Nether Walsing (Stone) WIST
Odley’s SUSS
Oxshott Towers (Folliot/Ffoliot) WIST
Poldhu Cottage (Holmes and Watson) DEVI
Pondicherry Lodge (Sholto) SIGN
Popham House (Eccles) WIST
Purdey Place (Hynes) WIST
Ridling Thorpe Manor (Cubitt) DANC
Shoscombe Old Place (Falder) SHOS
Stoke Moran Manor house(Roylott) SPEC
Thor Place (Gibson) THOR
Three Gables (Maberley) 3GAB
Torrington Lodge (McFarlane) NORW
Tredannick Wartha (Tregennis) DEVI
Tuxbury Old Park (Emsworth) BLAN
Vicarage, The (Elman) RETI
Vernon Lodge (Gruner) ILLU
Westbury House (Doran) NOBL
Wisteria Lodge (Garcia) WIST
Woodman’s Lee (Carey) BLAC
Yoxley Old Place (Coram) GOLD
Weekly Forum: January 27 2015
This week’s Forum topic is one that has had little, if any, explication from the textual Canon: stationery.
What evidence exists of the various writing papers, envelopes, calling cards, invitations, pens, pencils, etc. that would be generally thought to be found in a Victorian Stationers Shop? Prepare to be surprised.
William Gillette . . . From Kumar Bhatia “Bobbie”
Our loyal Member from Dubai, UAE, Kumar Bhatia “Bobbie” sends along this very interesting article from the BBC News Magazine on-line about William Gillette and the newly discovered Sherlock Holmes silent movie. http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-30932322
Thank you “Bobbie”. We appreciate your sending this along.