You may find this one interesting. Give it a go!
The Society Welcomes Sherlockian Scholar Dr Stefano Guerra, Co-Founder of Uno Studio in Holmes (Italy)
The Society extends a warm welcome to the Co-Founder of Italy’s Uno Studio in Holmes and accomplished Holmesian scholar, Dr Stefano Guerra, JHWS “Lucas,” BSI “Count Negretto Silvius.”
Dr Guerra’s C.V. is as follows:
Dr Guerra’s C.V. is as follows:
Stefano Guerra, BSI, “Count Negretto Silvius,” M. D., Child Psychiatrist, Psychoanalist, Teacher and School Director. Founder, with C. E. Casini, of Italian Sherlock Holmes Society, Uno Studio in Holmes, in 1986. Organiser of many conferences in Italy, where he presented several reports. Past-President of Uno Studio in Holmes Society. Since 2009, Director of Strand Magazine, official magazine of the Association.
Books (Italian):
Il fantasma di Sherlock Holmes, atti del convegno per il centenario (Editor)- Ed. Uno Studio in Holmes 1987
I diciassette scalini – Enciclopedia di Sherlock Holmes (with E. Solito, BSI) Ed. Il Torchio, 1998
Il diciottesimo scalino – Enciclopedia di Sherlock Holmes – II ed. revised and enlarged (with E. Solito) Ed. Delos Book, 2004
Articles (English):
Between Antigone and Creon: Holmes, Law and Justice in Italy and Sherlock Holmes by Enrico Solito, BSI, and Gianluca Salvatori, BSI, (Editors) The Baker Street Irregulars International Stories, 2010
Children and Sherlock Holmes in Italy and Sherlock Holmes by Enrico Solito, BSI, and Gianluca Salvatori, BSI, (Editors) The Baker Street Irregulars International Stories, 2010
The Wax Vesta in the Mud Mistery: Holmes’ Mistakes in Italy and Sherlock Holmes by Enrico Solito, BSI, and Gianluca Salvatori, BSI, (Editors) The Baker Street Irregulars International Stories, 2010
In 2102 he published in Italian and in English the article entitled “A spasso per Roma con Sir Arthur Conan Doyle” in bilingual book “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – Viaggio in Italia – Italian Journey” edited by USIH, published by Bobi Bazlen Ed. in Rome. (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in Venice, 2012, “Sherlock & Shylock, the Sleuths of Venice”.)
Articles (Italian):
Sherlock Holmes e la psicoanalisi – ovvero “L’avventura del clavicembalista inibito”, in Sherlock Holmes – Indagine su un mito centenario by F. Giovannini e M. Zatterin – Dedalo Ed. 1987
Holmes e Freud, due metodi a confronto The Strand Magazine n. 3 Winter 1997 (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in Prato, 1996)
I cani nel Canone The Strand Magazine New series n. 0 Vol. III January 1998 (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in Rome, 1997)
I bambini e Sherlock Holmes: l’infanzia a Baker Street The Strand Magazine N.s. n. 2 September 1999 (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in Rome, 1998, during the event “Giallo Estate” promoted by Roman Municipality)
Il mistero del fiammifero nel fango – ovvero Gli errori di Sherlock Holmes (Report at Annual General Meeting of USIH “A week later” – Milano- Firenze/Sesto Fiorentino – September 2000- Published in Meeting acts)
Il Mastino dei Baskerville (with Gianluca Salvatori, BSI, and Enrico Solito) The Strand Magazine N. s. n. 9 June 2002
In July 2002 he joins The First National Meeting on Popular Literature: “Il caso Sherlock Holmes” promoted by Roseto degli Abruzzi Municipality (TE), with a report entitled “Sherlock Holmes e il caso del Dottor Shepherd”
Tra Antigone e Creonte: Sherlock Holmes, la legge e la giustizia The Strand Magazine N. s. n. 13 June 2004 (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in Naples, 2004)
In November 2004 he joins the Symposium “Gli endocrinologi incontrano gli altri specialisti”, at 4th AME Italian Meeting “Update in Clinical Endocrinology” – Roma – Accademia Lancisiana – Ospedale S. Spirito, with a report entitled “Il metodo scientifico in Medicina: arte e investigazione”, published in The Strand Magazine N. s. n. 14 December 2004
Altri tempi, ovvero L’ultimo dei Baskerville The Strand Magazine N. s. n. 15 June 2005
Il metodo holmesiano e le filosofie orientali The Strand Magazine N. s. n. 15 June 2005 (Report presented at meeting “Sherlock Holmes tra Oriente e Occidente”, organized by Pesaro Studi, Lingue e Civiltà Orientali, Urbino University “Carlo Bo”).
A spasso per Roma, ieri e oggi, in compagnia di ACD The Strand Magazine N. s. n. 16 December 2005 (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in Milan, 2005)
Vent’anni dopo, ovvero L’avventura di USIH The Strand Magazine N. s. n. 18 bis December 2007 (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in Florence, 2007)
“Una volta eliminato l’impossibile…” Un’ipotesi sui cinque semi d’arancia The Strand Magazine N. s. n. 20 July 2009 (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in Rome, 2008, “Il significato dell’insignificante. Sherlock Holmes a Villa Mirafiori”, organized with the collaboration of Rome University La Sapienza)
Preface to “Sherlock Holmes” by William Gillette e Arthur Conan Doyle, (Italian translation by A. Gebbia and M. Meloni) Studies in Scarlet n. 5 – Ed. Uno Studio in Holmes 2010
Abduzione o deduzione? Qualche punto fermo per una questione irrisolta The Strand Magazine N.s. nn. 23-24 – September 2011 (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in L’Aquila VIII Investigation Day, “Indagine/indagini. Sherlock Holmes a l’Aquila”, 2009, organized with the collaboration of L’Aquila University)
Sherlock Holmes in mezzo a noi: un esercizio di stile o un’attualizzazione riuscita? The Strand Magazine N. s. n. 25 July 2012 (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in Rome, 2008, “Sherlock Holmes: attualità del mito”, organized with the collaboration of Rome University La Sapienza)
Sherlock Holmes e la prestidigitazione The Strand Magazine N. s. n. 26 December 2012 (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in Urbino, 2011 “Eliminare l’impossibile? Il metodo investigativo tra scienza e magia”, organized with the collaboration of International Studies Department)
In 2102 he published in Italian and in English the article entitled “A spasso per Roma con Sir Arthur Conan Doyle” in bilingual book “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – Viaggio in Italia – Italian Journey” edited by USIH, published by Bobi Bazlen Ed. in Rome. (Report presented in Annual General Meeting of USIH, in Venice, 2012, “Sherlock & Shylock, the Sleuths of Venice”.)
Please join in welcoming Dr Guerra with the Society’s greeting to new members:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
The Society Welcomes a Sherlockian Scholar to Membership: Prof Alessandra Calanchi, JHWS “Bianca”
The University of Urbino, founded 1505
The Society is delighted to welcome Professor Alessandra Calanchi “Bianca” to membership. Prof. Calanchi is renowned scholar of the Sacred Canon with numerous books, academic papers, articles, and appearances related to her Sherlockian and Watsonian research. She is a member of Uno Studio in Holmes and is a professor of Anglo-American literature at Urbino University in Italy.
Please welcome Alessandra with the Society’s greeting to new members: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Her partial C.V. follows:
Alessandra Calanchi is assistant professor of Anglo-American Language and Literature at the University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”. She has published books in English and Anglo-American Literatures and Comparative Studies, such as Vicini lontani. Solitudine e comunicazione nel romanzo americano (1990), Quattro studi in rosso. Lo spazio privato maschile nella narrativa vittoriana (1997), and Dismissing the Body. Strange Cases of Fictional Invisibility (1999). She has dealt with such issues as identity, body representations, masculinity, her major interests lying in the relations between literature and cinema and in Jewish-American fiction. Among her essays in this latter field, see “The Victim : la memoria come detection” (Il recupero del testo , eds. Fink-Morisco, 1988), “Millions of Leaves. Metafore della memoria nel romanzo di Saul Bellow More Die of Heartbreak” (Memoria e tradizione nella cultura ebraico-americana, eds. Fink-Morisco, 1990), “Uncomfortable Connections: Zipping/Unzipping Identity” (Intertextual Identity. Reflections on Jewish-American Artists, eds. La Polla-Morisco, 1997), and “The Dangling Jewish American Identity and the Canon in Saul Bellow’s Earlier Novels” (Merope, Pescara, anno XI, n.31, 2000, pp.69-93). Recently she has edited American Sherlockitis. Ovvero, come Sherlock Holmes conquistò il Nuovo Mondo (Milano 2005). She is a contributor to Cinemasessanta.
Books
1997 Quattro studi in rosso. Lo spazio privato maschile nella narrativa
vittoriana, Cesena, Il Ponte Vecchio, 1997 (monography)
2001 Arthur Conan Doyle, 221B Baker Street. Sei ritratti di Sherlock Holmes, (bilingual), Venezia, Marsilio (transl. & ed.)
2003 Arthur Conan Doyle, La maledizione dei Baskerville, annotated edition ed. by Philip Weller, Milano, Hobby & Work (transl.) Now being republished in montlhly instalments by the SherlockMagazine (2013-2014).
2005 Sherlock Holmes in America: “American Sherlockitis”, ovvero come Sherlock Holmes conquistò il Nuovo Mondo, “Sherlock Magazine”, no. 5, Delos Books, November (ed.).
2007 I mille e uno Sherlock Holmes, “Linguae &”, special issue, I mille e uno Sherlock Holmes/The Thousand and One Sherlock Holmes no. 2 (co-ed. with G. Ovarelli).
2008 J. M. Gregson, Sherlock Holmes e il mistero del golf club, “Sherlock Magazine”, October (transl.).
2013 P. Growick, Sherlock Holmes e il diario segreto del dottor Watson, Delos Books, Milan (transl.).
Essays and articles
“Rovinare le sacre simbiosi: Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, e Sherlock Holmes”, Poetiche, 4-5, December 1996, Mucchi, Modena, pp.145-55.
” ‘Others will follow’: lo strano caso di Jekyll, Hyde e Sherlock Holmes”, RSV (Rivista di Studi Vittoriani), 5, III, Pescara, January 1998, pp.133-43.
“Da St.Petersburg a Salt Lake City: scenari d’America in The Dynamiter, A Study in Scarlet e The Valley of Fear“, in R.Baccolini, C.Comellini e V.Fortunati (eds), Culture di lingua inglese a confronto, Bologna, CLUEB, 1998, pp.67-76.
“L’Avventura dell’Enciclopedia”, an afterward to: S.Guerra ed E.Solito, I diciassette scalini. Enciclopedia di Sherlock Holmes, Roma, Edizioni Il Torchio, 1998,
pp.143-45.
(Book review) I casi proibiti di Sherlock Holmes (by Enrico Solito), Delitti di Carta, Bologna, CLUEB, April 1999, pp.135-36.
“Un’americana alla corte di Sherlock”, in Leggere Donna, n.s., 85, March-April 2000, pp.31-32.
(Book review) “L’avventura della Lasiocampa quercus, ovvero, recensione in forma di apocrifo di Come fu ucciso Umberto Eco di G.Celli”, in The Strand Magazine (“Uno Studio in Holmes”), II n.s., September 2000, pp.2-4.
“La moglie di Sherlock Holmes e altri paradossi: lo strano caso della riscrittura di genere”, in Le riscritture del postmoderno. Percorsi angloamericani, eds O.De Zordo and F.Fantaccini, Bari, Palomar, 2002, pp.313-333.
“L’unica professione per un gentiluomo? Lo Sherlock Holmes fin de siècle da Baker Street all’America di frontiera”, in Maschilità decadenti. La lunga fin de siècle, eds M. Pustianaz and L. Villa, Bergamo UP, Edizioni Sestante, 2004, pp. 239-253.
“Chiamatemi Watson. Nuove frontiere degli ‘apocrifi’ angloamericani”, in “Linguae &”, I mille e uno Sherlock Holmes/The Thousand and One Sherlck Holmes, eds. A.Calanchi & G. Ovarelli, no. 2, 2007, pp. 93-106.
“ ‘Reasoning from an armchair’: A Study on Sherlock Holmes’s Homely Masculinity”, in RSV (Rivista di Studi Vittoriani), n. 24-25, anno XII-XIII, 2007/2008, pp. 7-33.
“Notes on the Italian Sherlockscape”, in Italy & Sherlock Holmes, eds. Enrico Solito and Gianluca Salvatori, The Baker Street Irregulars International series, The Baker Street Irregulars, New York, 2010, pp. 7-18.
“Mr Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson: interfacing science and fiction in the ‘Sacred Canon’”, in The Case and the Canon. Anomalies, discontinuities, metaphors between science and literature, eds A.Calanchi, G.Castellani, G.Morisco, G.Turchetti, Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht V & R Unipress, Goettingen 2011, pp. 137-144.
“Dal Sacro Canone al Grande Gioco: per una teoria degli apocrifi”, in Fictions. Studi sulla narratività, ed. by Maurizio Ascari & Francesca Saggini, Fabrizio Serra editore, Pisa – Roma, X, 2011, pp. 120 (pp. 83-92).
How About Just a Tiny Quiz to Tide Us Over . . .?
AND THE RESULTS ARE . . . It would seem that this question could be the basis of a very interesting paper for The Watsonian. There are echoes in both solutions below to indicate the presence of myth, folklore, religion, and supernatural belief. And, there may well be additional names that fit the specter of the Hound.
Dean Turnbloom “Stoker” sends this interesting and historically pertinent solution to the question:
Cusith or Cù-Sìth was a Hellhound, harbinger of death (Scotland, the Hebrides, Ireland). According to Scottish folklore, the Cù-Sìth is said to be the size of a young bull with the appearance of a wolf. Its fur is shaggy, and usually cited as being dark green though sometimes white. Its tail is described as being long and either coiled up or plaited (braided). Its paws are described as being the width of a man’s hand. The Cù-Sìth is thought to make its home in the clefts of rocks in the Highlands, and also to roam the moors and highlands. The Cù-Sìth was feared as a harbinger of death and would appear to bear away the soul of a person to the afterlife, similar to the manner of the Grim Reaper. In this role the Cù-Sìth holds in Scottish folklore a function similar to that of the Bean Sidhe, or banshee, in Irish folklore.
According to legend, the creature was capable of hunting silently, but would occasionally let out three terrifying bays, and only three, that could be heard for miles by those listening for it, even far out at sea. Those who hear the baying of the Cù-Sìth must reach safety by the third bark or be overcome with terror to the point of death.
Congratulations to Mr Turnbloom who resides in Santee, California.
Kenneth Siarkiewicz sends his analysis and suggests “Lucifer” as the hellhound’s name, a name that seems eminently logical, fitting and in keeping with the supernatural speculation of the story.
“Cooper” also suggests the name might be ‘Black Shuck” from one of the English folk-legends. This legend bears quite a close resemblance to the Hound. It is spectral and foreboding and deserves to be read in its full description on Wikipedia (follow the link) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Shuck
Congratulations to “Cooper” who resides, reads and thinks in Tucson, Arizona. Kenneth joined the Society in August and we appreciate his contribution in helping us to think about this unique question.
Question
The hound in The Hound of the Baskervilles is not given a name in the text by Dr Watson. From the Canonical textual evidence and from inference, what is the likely name of the hound?
Submit answers to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com by 12 Noon (Pacific) Friday. The answers will be judged and the results will be posted here by Saturday.
Have fun . . .
Fun, Tiny Quiz on the Quiz Page
Try this one . . . just one question . . . but no one has asked it before!
Welcome to Seven New Charter Members
The Society warmly welcomes six new Charter Members:Patricia Caouette, JHWS “Rip” of Winooski, Vermont
We hope to learn more of Patricia’s Sherlockian and Watsonian background and will post the information when it is received. Until then, please welcome Patricia with the Society’s greeting:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Francis Perry, JHWS “Roger” of Reading, Berkshire, UK.
We welcome Francis and hope to learn more of his Holmesian background. Please extend a warm welcome with our traditional greeting:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Scott William Schulz, JHWS “Philo” of Garner, North Carolina
Scott Writes: “I have been a fan of Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson for many years, but I have never really participated in the fandom beyond being a member for many years of The Hounds of the Internet (must be 10+ years now) and the
WelcomeHolmes email groups. But even on those I am merely an avid
reader.
To date, my singular contribution to the advancement of the tradition of the Canon has been though my incessant championing of both Holmes and Watson to any who happen to wander past my office and who either express an interest of any of the items on the wall or shelf of said office, or who happen to linger too long near one of those items. Oh, and I did bring my wife to the light that is the Jeremy Brett rendition of Holmes (she would fix bags of popcorn and a fresh pot of coffee at 11 PM every Saturday evening for us to enjoy while watching that week’s episode while they were being rerun here on PBS).
We invite Scott’s participation and look forward to his contributions to the Society. Please welcome him with the traditional greeting:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Wayne Weatherwax, JHWS “Regis” of Westfield, Massachusetts.
We welcome Wayne and hope to post his biographical information when received. Until then, we extend our greeting:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Ellen Reeher, JHWS “Gilda” of St Paul, Minnesota
Ellen writes: “I found out about the society just this morning from the dulcet tones of Scott Monty over at the “I hear of Sherlock Everywhere” podcast and came right over to subscribe.
Unlikely though it may be here in the wilds of Minnesota, I’ll look forward to someday hearing the society greeting.”
And so, we extend that greeting of welcome to Ellen:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Sharon Conroy, JHWS “Maggie” of Williamston, Michigan
James Conroy, JHWS “Schnapps” of Williamston, Michigan
The Conroys are members of the Greek Interpreters of East Lansing. We are delighted to welcome them to membership and look forward to their contributions to the Society’s activities. Please extend a warm greeting:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Weekly Quiz on Holiday until January 4, 2014
At the urging of our Quiz Masters and Members, Buttons is declaring a Quiz Holiday for the Holidays. We will suspend the Weekly Quiz until Friday, 4 January 2014 when we will resume with an all new year of Canonical quizzing!
Buttons needs a holiday, too, from the scribbling of notes in the margins of his Doubleday. He is planning on spending time with his mates at the local across the square, The Frog and Pig, where a turkey Cornish pasty and a few pints of best bitter are calling. The good Doctor and Mr Holmes will likely be looking for a two-barred goose again his year, and Buttons will repair to the Alpha Inn for a bit of supper and a nice eggnog. An abundancy of Thanksgiving and Festive Greetings to all!
Ron Lies “Chips” on an Allusive Mystery Story
Our Society’s frequent contributor, Ron Lies “Chips”, sends along a few clues to an allusive mystery story related to Dr Watson and Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes.
Members who would like to add this to their collection, can find the book on Amazon listed for about $7.00. Information below:
“Chips” writes:
“A fellow member of the Sherlock Holmes Society of India posted the information about a short story where Dr. Watson beats the Holmes Brothers at their own game. The story is written by Collin Dexter who created The Inspector Morse stories. It is in the collection Morse’s Greatest Mystery and Other Stories. The short story is “A Case of Mis-Identity.” The tale is enjoyable and worth the time to find it.”
Chips
Weekly Quiz #9: 15-20 November 2013
Weekly Quiz #9
15 – 20 November 2013; 4 pm (Pacific)
RESULTS: Weekly Quiz #9 produced the following Quiz Masters: Answers are posted below.
Member Individual Category: Michele Lopez “Reggie” took the honours with a perfect score of 20/20 plus the 5 bonus points for 25 total. Michele was closely followed by a two-way tie between Denny Dobry “Kirby” and James O’Leary “Pippin” with 19/20.
Member Team Category: Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” and Margie Deck “Gwen”
took the Team honours once again in a continuation of their unbroken run with 20/20 plus 5 bonus points for 25 total.
Congratulations to all!
This week’s quiz is a similar to the classic quizzes that were used in past years to qualify devotees as having the requisite knowledge of the Canon to be designated “Sherlockians.” In this version, the questions are focused on Dr Watson, are worth 5 points each with an added 5 point bonus for accurate citations. Submit your answers by 4 pm Wednesday, 20 November to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com.
Questions:
- When and to whom did Dr Watson recommend large doses of a poison as a sedative? What was the poison? In which story? For whom?
- In what story was Dr Watson’s body in one chair and his legs upon another?
- In what story was Dr Watson settled into a well-worn, low armchair?
- To whom did Dr Watson ascend to a second time with a message?
- What time did Dr Watson sit down beside the fire to await Holmes’s return?
- Where was Dr Watson when asked to recall tracks?
- When was it sufficient for Dr Watson to share the sport and lend his humble help?
- What was the event that Dr Watson asked Holmes to give him the points about?
- What case was Dr Watson asked to add to his annals?
- When did Holmes and Watson ascend followed by a doctor?
- When Dr Watson turned up the time-table and found the last train gone, where had they wanted to go?
- When and where was the glare from the brickwork painful to Dr Watson?
- Holmes offers Dr Watson a cigar during a trip to where?
- What was the case that began with hot tea prior to the train on a winter morning?
- Whose father did Dr Watson have the pleasure of knowing?
- By what statement does Dr Watson paraphrase Descartes?
- What was another of Dr Watson’s bulls-eyes?
- To whom would the Dr’s bankers determine the worth of his guarantee?
- Dr Watson was with whom when he observed the faces in the diffused light from the shops?
- Dr Watson’s guest drank what at the first lunch where?
Welcome to Noreen Pazderski, DVM, JHWS “Eos”
A very warm welcome is extended to Noreen Pazderski, DVM “Eos” from Tonowanda, New York. Dr Pazderski is a veterinarian and a long-time Sherlockian and member of An Irish Secret Society in Buffalo.
We look forward to Noreen’s contributions and welcome her with our greeting:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Very Interesting Website: Dr Watson
Our newest member, David Parker “Nigel” maintains a very interesting and attractive website with a great deal of information. “Nigel” acts as Dr Watson’s literary agent, providing a variety of comment and content.
Please take a look at this creative and enjoyable website and, perhaps, add it to your favourites:
Welcome to David Parker, JHWS “Nigel” to Charter Membership
The Society is most pleased to have David R. Parker, JHWS “Nigel” as a Charter Member. David resides in Burnley, Lancashire, England. He has a most interesting website : www.johnhwatsonmd.com where he acts as Dr Watson’s literary agent, writing regular insights and features about the good Doctor and posting frequent Twitter “telegrams” concerning Watson and Holmesian events and topics.
Please visit his website and exptend a warm welcome to the Society with our greeting to new members: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Welcome to Michael Seward, JD, JHWS “Ritchie,” SHSL
We welcome to Charter membership Mr Michael Seward “Ritchie” of Berwick, Pennsylvania. Michael is a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London and the White Rose Irregulars.
We look forward to Michael’s participation and contributions to the Society’s activities and journal. Please extend welcome with our new member greeting:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Welcome to Stephen Boothe, JHWS “Roscoe”
A warm welcome is extended to Stephen Boothe, JHWS “Roscoe” and member of the Hounds of the Internet and An Irish Secret Society at Buffalo. Stephen lives in Silver Creek, New York and has also introduced his daughter, Hannah, to the Society. We greatly enjoy having this new student member and her father as new members.
Stephen writes:
“I’ve always associated my love of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson with family. As a youth in the 1980’s, I was introduced to Sherlock Holmes through the Ian Richardson Holmes portrayals in movies of that era. This started me on my Sherlockian path. One of the fondest memories of my entire life was my Dad calling around to local bookstores to find me a volume of Sherlock Holmes for my very own. Receiving some good advice from a bookseller, he put in a special order and purchased me a copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes.
Years later, I now have the opportunity to pass along my fascination with Holmes and Watson to my children. Several years ago, I had the pleasure of introducing my eldest daughter, Hannah, to the canon. More recently, I have happily exposed her to the new Sherlockian renaissance through the BBC Sherlock series. Seeing elements of the original canon stories re-interpreted to current times has hooked her on that series and, more importantly, on those original stories themselves. I’m proud that she wishes to be part of this worthwhile Society and will be joining with me as a charter member.
I am a member of An Irish Secret Society at Buffalo and the Hounds of the Internet (The Nonconformist Clergyman). I also enjoy taking part in Sherlockian social media including Twitter and the Sherlock Holmes community on Google+.”
Please welcome Stephen with the Society’s traditional greeting, now extended to 114 Founding and Charter Members: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Welcome to Hannah Boothe, Charter Member (student) JHWS “Penny”
As always, we are particularly delighted to welcome a student member to the Society. Hannah Boothe, JHWS “Penny” lives in Silver Creek, New York. She writes:
“I live in Silver Creek, New York, and attend Silver Creek High School. I was first introduced to Sherlock Holmes when my dad suggested I read the stories a few years ago. He also recently introduced me to BBC’s Sherlock. I am very interested in Watson’s relationship with Holmes, as Holmes is so secluded, yet allows Watson into his life fairly quickly. I feel that being a member of this society will help me to further discover what is so special about their relationship.”
We extend to Hannah a warm welcome and invite her to participate in the Society activities and to consider articles for the journal, The Watsonian. We also would like to encourage Hannah to consider creating a Consulting Room branch of the Society at her high school. The Society will help her with that and offer support to that endeavor if desired.
Please extend a warm welcome with our greeting: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Welcome to Flora Spector, JHWS “Teddie”
The Society is pleased to welcome Flora Spector, JHWS “Teddie” to Charter Member. Flora joins from Reading, Pennsylvania. We will have more information when we receive her biography.
Until then, please welcome Flora with our greeting: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Weekly Quiz #8; Monthly Quiz #2: 8 – 13 November 2013
Weekly Quiz #8
Monthly Quiz #2
8 November 2013 to 13 November 2013
RESULTS: Congratulations to our members who successfully participated in the weekly and monthly quiz: Denny Dobry “Kirby” scored 22/25 to take the Weekly Quiz Master Member Individual honours, followed by James O’Leary “Pippin” and Michele Lopez “Reggie”.
Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” retained the Member Team Category for the week with 25/25, as well as the Monthly Team Quiz Masters. They are invincible!
The Monthly Quiz Master goes to James O’Leary “Pippin” with 80/100 points. He was followed closely by Michele Lopez “Reggie” of Italy who is working without the benefit of most of the Sherlockian scholarship and reference books.
The answers are posted below.
The Weekly Quiz #8 is also our Monthly Quiz #2. The theme is Scholarship Easily Researched. One of the hallmarks of some Sherlockians and Watsonians is their knowledge of the scholarship of the past 80 years. The sources for the questions this week are from publications found in most enthusiasts’ libraries.
Each question (there are only five) is answered in a book of scholarship that is widely known or readily available. Identify the original scholarly writer, the book where the reference appears, the object where called for, and the story referenced. Each accurate answer is worth 5 points.
Questions:
- Who wrote “As for us, gentlemen, we wish to have our intelligence insulted. How did Holmes know about the snuff?”
- Who wrote that Mendelssohn’s Auf Flugen des Gesanges “might well have been [another] favourite with” Watson?
- Who wrote in what book that [name it] is located about one and one-half miles to the south-west of [name where] and has on it a logan stone that can be rocked by means of a natural handle? (give the author, book name, the story, the object and location described, and the source of the scholarship).
- Who scoffed at Holmes’s conclusion about a single dumb-bell and suggested Watson knew better but let Holmes have his fun? (The writer, the story, and where the reference is given)
- Who wrote, “I myself have stood in Baker Street and surveyed a suppositious upper story, wondering whether Sherlock Holmes was standing beside the dark hangings in the windows, looking up and down for a hansom-cab with a suspicious driver”? (Name the writer and the publication or book in which it appears; no story required).
Ashley Mayo, JHWS “Argos” is our Newest Charter Member, U.K.
The Society welcomes Ashley Mayo, JHWS “Argos,” and Sherlock Holmes Society of London where he is on the Council of SHSL. Ashley lives in Winchester, Hampshire, England.
Last year Ashley played Dr Watson on the SHSL’s pilgrimage to Switzerland and he became quite fond of the good Doctor.
Please welcome Ashley with our new member greeting: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Welcome to Karen Ellery, JHWS “Sherry”
The Society welcomes Karen Ellery “Sherry” of Minneapolis to Charter Membership. A very active and creative Watsonian and Sherlockian, Karen describes her many interests:
I am a member of: The Norwegian Explorers; The Red-Throated League; and The Consorts of the Kings of Scandinavia. Founding Member and “Stage Manager” of The St. John’s Wood Accomplices. Online member of WelcomeHolmes and HOUNDS of the Internet (“Maud Bellamy”). Owner and Editor of 221T Press; editor and co-translator of the first Klingon edition of “The Adventure of the Blue
Carbuncle.” Co-creator of the Loving Cup Teas© line of Sherlockian teas. First recipient of the Norwegian Explorers’ Sigerson Award for Poetry. Actor, lyricist, tea-lover, staunch Watsonian.
Please join in welcoming Karen with our new member greeting: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Weekly Quiz #7: 1 November to 6 November 2013
Weekly Quiz #7
1 November to 6 November 2013
RESULTS: Elinor Hickey “Misty” was second in with 16/20; Dean Turnbloom “Stoker” was third in and tied with 16/20; and James O’Leary “Pippin” was first in with 15/20. They go forward to the Monthly Quiz on 8 November 2013.
Watson used colour sparingly in his writing with only a few exceptions. Compared to imagist writers, however, he was not a “colourful” writer. “Colour in the Canon” would make a superb research paper for The Watsonian (any takers?).
This week’s quiz is concerned with those few colours. Identify the object being described by the colour and an associated word or two in the text, the story, and all the accurate page citations (5 point bonus) in the Doubleday one-volume edition of 1930 (the “W” edition).
Colour – – – – Object/Person – – – – Story – – – – Page
- Yellow (Nov. 1895)
- White (rustic)
- Amber (pile)
- White (curve)
- Red (bully)
- Green (mottled)
- Gray (jack-in-a-box)
- Gray (scraped)
- Green (dreaming)
- Brown (study)
- Black (insane)
- Glossy black (noble maybe)
- Purple (girt round)
- Red (wire)
- Brown (first usage)
- Black (smoke tree)
- Crimson (guilty)
- Gray (mist)
- Pink (curve)
- Lavender (aristocrat)