Another Wonderful Illustration

Ron Lies “Chips” sends us this wonderful illustration by Phil Cornell from Australia.  This was signed for Ron by Phil.

Ron is having surgery November 4 and would be happy to have your best wishes. His email is:   relies1@msn.com .  Send him a get well soon wish!

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Weekly Quiz 44

RESULTS:  Denny Dobry “Kirby” was first in for Individual Honors and Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” took Team Honors.  They were the only three with the correct solution to “Lord George” Sanger of Sanger’s Circus. He was given the name His Lordship by his father because of his love of fine clothing. His brother, John Sanger, was known as Gentleman John and not Lord John as erroneously reported in Tracy’s Encyclopaedia. Sanger’s was the largest circus in England, and George Sanger greatly admired P.T. Barnum.  Referenced in VEIL.  Well Done to our three Invincibles!

Buttons is feeling a bit otherworldly given that it is Samhain. So, a single question quiz:

This gentleman, his Lordship George, was prominent in this circle. Please name who, what and the book or story in which he is referenced.

Please submit solutions to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com by noon Wednesday, November 5, 2014.

Weekly Forum: October 21, 2014

Did Doctor Watson rejoin the British Army as a physician during World War I? What is the evidence and what are your surmises from knowing the life of the man?

Our Dr Bob Katz “Willow” wrote, in a BSJ article in 1992, that Watson spent World War I serving in the army performing pre-induction physicals. He would have been quite expert at identifying malingerers who were attempting to evade military service, as he had firsthand experience learning about malingering from Holmes, one of the first students of the subject (DYIN).

A Limerick

This from our good “Chips”

A Snip and a Snort

A snip and a snort on the list,
Are something I’d never have missed.
They’re not worse than a pun,
So take it as fun.
Someday they’ll be lost in the mist.

—by Sandy Kozinn, “Roxie” and “Esmerelda”
a Sherlockian amongst Sherlockians

Weekly Quiz 42

RESULTS:  Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” give us 11/10 with the most creative answer as an extra.  Denny Dobry “Kirby” was a close second.

The Team SOB answer to question #1 was a rich pun:

1. A toast of the British Navy.

Answer: Phelp’s missing Naval Treaty.  Holmes states that Mrs. Hudson has  “…a good idea of breakfast as a Scotchwoman.”; toast is part of a full Scottish Breakfast. The Naval Treaty was placed under the dome of the breakfast plate. NAVA, W., p. 465-466.

Pawky!

The original answer is in the answers below.

NOTE: A correction has been made to Question #9.

This week’s quiz is random. Please submit solutions by noon, October 22, 2014 to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com

 

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Download File:
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Weekly Forum: October 14 2014

Mrs Watson (No, the Other One)

Mrs. J. Watson and son John (ca 1854)
Mrs. J. Watson and son John (ca 1854)

Very little has been written about Mrs Watson, John Watson’s mother. There is no Canonical evidence, but from the abundant evidence about her son, what can we say about Doctor Watson’s mom?

Weekly Quiz 41

Last week was Interiors; this week is Exteriors.  Please identify the exterior described and cite the book or story and page number in Doubleday’s one-volume edition of 1930.  Solutions by 12 noon, Wednesday, October 15th please.

This quiz reveals how much Doctor Watson tended to use the same details over again; sort of an exterior recycling.

file_download.pngDownload Week 41 Questions

Significant Comment on September 30 Weekly Forum

Melissa Anderson “Faith” has posted a significant comment on the Weekly Forum of September 30 concerning Doctor Watson and his military service. It is concise, well-stated, thoughtful and goes to the core of the Canon.  Well worth reading. Thank you, “Faith.”

Weekly Forum: October 7, 2014

“A Case of Identity”


There is something “jewel-box-like” about IDEN and it may be one of Watson’s great triumphs of writing. It is almost wholly personal.

It has four distinct parts: 1) the philosophical discussion between Watson and Holmes; 2) the client’s characterization and statement of the case; 3) the interview with the miscreant, Windibank; and 4) the solution.

In the philosophical discussion in the first few pages, prior to the arrival of Mary Sutherland, Holmes and Watson have what Buttons interprets as one of their most interesting and revealing talks about their personal positions and beliefs.

In the middle sections, the “crime” is not actionable and James Windibank and his wife– Mary’s mother– who is an equally guilty partner in the deception, exit stage left with impunity.

But, in the end, what of Mary Sutherland who exits the case unconsidered, unfulfilled, and apparently unloved by anyone?  How does the philosophical discussion of Holmes and Watson–setting up the story–pertain to Mary?  Is Mary Sutherland already a sadder, but wiser, independent woman for her experience, or is she to be forever a woman wronged and dependent upon the kindness of others?

This is fertile ground, essentially unplowed by Watsonians and Sherlockians, and ready for a provocative and fascinating joint-article for The Watsonian.  Will you contribute?  We welcome your participation.

“I shall communicate with you.” [NOBL]

The Society is always pleased to find new avenues of communication, and so is delighted to announce its entry into the world of social media. You can now find us on Facebook (hat tip to “Galahad”!) and on Twitter.

If you’ve reached this site for the first time from Facebook or Twitter, welcome! We’d love to have you join in our Weekly Forum, try puzzling out the answers to our weekly Quiz, check out our Publications, become a Member, or any combination of those. Make yourself comfortable, enjoy your stay, and come back soon!

October 5th, 2014

“Chips” (who is having computer problems) sends along this Isaac Asimov treasure. It would be interesting to know who made the pen and ink change and whether it was originally as written, or as changed. Perhaps we have a detective who can assist.

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Weekly Quiz: 40

RESULTS:  Denny Dobry “Kirby” was first in with 10/10 and alternative answers. Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” took the Team honors with 10/10 and also alternative answers.  Great Job, All!

Answers below:

This week’s quiz is all about interiors.  Where are the interiors described found?  Story, book and page number, please.  Solutions to Buttons by noon Wednesday, 8 October 2014.

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Week 40 Questions and Answers

Original William Gillette Silent Film Discovered

Article From our Member, Kumar Bhatia “Bobbie”

William Gillette’s original performance on film as Sherlock Holmes has been found. Kumar Bhatia “Bobbie” sends us this article from India.  Follow the link to the fascinating description of the film, the restoration, screenshots and the planned premier.

Copy and paste in your browser:

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-29474334

Weekly Forum: September 30, 2014

Doctor Watson joined the Army after medical school, and he is said to have re-joined the Army late in his career.  Why do you believe Watson chose to join the military as a physician? What objective (textual) and subjective (speculative) reasons exist?