Category: News

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Quiet in the Consulting Rooms

It’s been quiet for a while here on the Society blog. With so much going on in the United States and in the world, many of us have found our focus has not been as much on Sherlockiana/Watsoniana as it was perhaps a few weeks ago.

Elsewhere on this site, we say that the John H. Watson Society seeks a level of equality in scholarship and enthusiasm for the life and work of John H. Watson, M. D. We are an open and inclusive Society, seeking the collegiality and conviviality of Members worldwide and at all stages of involvement in Watsonian, Sherlockian and Holmesian interests. Mostly, we are about having fun.

I am proud to be a part of an international Society that celebrates the best friend one could hope to have. In that spirit, I hope this site gives a place to be among friends for good conversation and companionship.

Tomorrow, we will have an interview with Chris Redmond, JHWS “Buster”, editor of the new book, About Sixty: Why Every Sherlock Holmes Story is the Best. In the comments, for this week’s discussion, please share your favorite story and why.

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That First Foray

No Sherlockian information recorded for this date so how about a Tid Bit from Jim Coffin to ponder?

Who can forget that first reading of an adventure of Sherlock Holmes
and Dr. Watson? Our first foray from Baker Street, in a fog, a hansom or
a cab dashing for Victoria Station, not worrying about the date of the
story, mother or aunt, one wound or two.

Posted by Chips.

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Fall 2016 Watsonian

watsonian-cover-squareThe latest issue of the Watsonian is making its way to members’ mailboxes around the world. Digital subscribers should have received an email including a link to download the new issue. (If you have the Paperless Membership or the Print + PDF Membership and you did not receive an email, please contact Selena Buttons.) We’re very proud of this issue, and you’ll find it’s chock-full of good stuff.

In addition to returning features “Roxie’s Canonical Ramblings”, “Pondicherry Ponderings”, and “The Pawky Puzzler”, we’re thrilled to introduce “Thoughts from under Willow’s Tree”. We hope you will enjoy the beautiful color illustrations from Kayla Kinoo and Phil Cornell and the new title page illustration from Basil Chap. There are thoughtful essays on Dr Joan Watson of Elementary and the young man who might not have been John Watson in Young Sherlock Holmes. There are explorations of Victorian-era camping and phrenology, as well as a report from the “Bringing Traditional Sherlockians into Today’s Fandom” panel at the most recent 221B Con. In addition to traditional articles, this issue includes poetry, Canonical toasts, and an illustrated essay.

This issue’s contributors reflect our commitment to blending the wisdom and background of great Sherlockians and the enthusiasm of those newly drawn to The Game. Some have been writing for the Watsonian since its inception, while others are appearing for the first time. It is bittersweet that this issue includes an essay from the late Peter H Jacoby, whose previous papers on Dr Watson’s medical and military training appeared in earlier issues.

We hope you will find something interesting, educational, entertaining, and thought-provoking in this issue. Digital (PDF) copies of the issue are available in the Shop: Watsonian vol. 4 no. 2.

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“221b (1887-1987)”

“221b (1887-1987)”, from Baker Street Miscellanea, 1987

Coin of ours can never ransom
Years now prisoners to Time;
Roars the bus, where once the hansom
Trotted on the trail of crime.

Found in Quotations from Baker Street, a wonderful booklet edited by
Christopher Redmond, JHWS “Buster”

Posted by Chips, I hope you all who read this enjoy.

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Quiz Results: Like an Animal

RESULTS: In order of submission, 5/5 to:

  • Margie Deck, “Gwen”, and Sheila Holtgrieve, “Daisy”
  • Michael Ellis, “Lobo”

Well done, everyone!

And, of course, the ANSWERS:

  1. Who is it?
    • Baron Adelbert Gruner
  2. What are the animals?
    • A Cat: “A purring cat who thinks he sees prospective mice” and “He’s a precise, tidy cat of a man in many of his ways.”
    • A Cobra: “He is an excellent antagonist, cool as ice, silky voiced and soothing as one of your fashionable consultants, and poisonous as a cobra.”
    • An Insect: “The Baron has little waxed tips of hair under his nose, like the short antennae of an insect.”
  3. In which story does the person appear?
    • “The Adventure of the Illustrious Client”
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On October 19th…

October 19, 1889: The Red-Headed League was dissolved. [REDH]
October 19, 1889: Holmes captured John Clay. [REDH]
October 19, 1900: Holmes and Watson shot and killed the Hound of the Baskervilles. [HOUN]
October 19, 1900: Jack Stapleton perished in the Grimpen Mire

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On October 14th…

October 14, 1900: Selden was chased across the moor by Watson and Sir Henry. [HOUN]
October 14, 1900: Watson and Sir Henry saw Holmes’s outline against the moor. [HOUN]
October 14, 1900: Sir Henry learned that Selden was Mrs Barrymore’s brother. [HOUN]

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On October 13th…

October 13, 1900: At 2 a.m., Watson watched Barrymore signal to Selden. [HOUN]
October 13, 1900: Watson watched the meeting on the moor of Sir Henry and Beryl Stapleton. [HOUN]
October 13, 1900: Watson wrote his first report to Holmes. [HOUN]

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An Army Tid Bit, Courtesy of Dr Watson’s Neglected Patients

No activity recorded for today, so here is a little known fact unearthed from a Dr Watson’s Neglected Patients past event.

A question came up at Ron Lies’ presentation of The Sign of the Four at the September 2006 meeting as to whether British Army at the time were all volunteers at that time or were they conscripted. The Staff Surgeon (Stan Moskal) researched this question and found the answer on page 80 of Mr. Kipling’s Army: All the Queen’s Men, by Byron Farwell:

It was and had always been an army of volunteers; not until the middle of the First World War (January 1916) did Britain resort to conscription. From 1783 until 1806 men enlisted for life; then for a twenty-three-year, enlistments were seven years for the infantry, ten years for the cavalry and twelve years for sappers and gunners. In 1829 Parliament restored the life engagement; in 1847 this was changed to twenty-one years- which was much the same thing. In 1870 ‘short service’ was introduced. Men enlisted for twelve years, but spent only three to seven years with the colours and the remainder in reserve.

See the original post on the Dr Watson’s Neglected Patients site: Some Random Notes.

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Quiz: Like an Animal

This week’s Quiz is a single question, submitted by Enrico Solito, JHWS “Devon”

Animals are important in the Canon. In four different sentences, one person is described with similarities to three different animals. Who is it, what are the animals, and in which story does the person appear?

Submit your answers for a total of 5 possible points (1 person, 3 animals, 1 story) by email to Selena by Sunday, October 23.

If you’ve been bitten by the bug to create your own Canonical Quiz, don’t forget you can send your questions to Selena, too!

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Roll Call: Sherlock Seattle 2016

Illustration by Philip Cornell, JHWS "Parkes"
Illustration by Philip Cornell, JHWS “Parkes”

This year’s Sherlock Seattle WATSON WASHINGTON Con is less than two weeks away now. And, this year, it’s all about our favorite fellow, Doctor John H Watson.

This year we’re taking the focus off of Sherlock Holmes and instead we are celebrating his amazing companion, Dr. Watson! As such for 2016 we are Watson Washington, a convention where we celebrate all things John Watson, from the original ACD canon stories to the latest incarnations of the world’s most famous doctor, and you’re invited to join us!

Our own Robert Ryan, JHWS “Caesar” and author of the “Dr Watson at War” novels, and Lawrence Albert, JHWS “Bertie” and the voice of Doctor Watson for Imagination Theater, are the Guests of Honor.

They’ll be joined by Elinor Gray, JHWS “Misty”, Ariana Maher, JHWS “Carla”, and Beth Gallego, JHWS “Selena Buttons” for a special panel at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday called “A Society for our Dear Doctor”.

While there are a plethora of societies celebrating Sherlock Holmes, there is only one society that specifically celebrates our favorite doctor – the John H Watson Society! Come meet some of it’s members and learn about how this society was recently founded, their current activities (such as publications, treasure hunts, and online discussions), and our enthusiasm for Dr John H. Watson!

We will also be in the Dealers’ Room with copies of the Watsonian and other publications for sale, as well as the opportunity to join or to renew your membership.

Will you be in Seattle for the Convention this year? Check in in the comments to this post!