The Open and Inclusive Worldwide Online Sherlockian Society (Really, We're about Having Fun)
This week’s quiz has to do with Canonical character inferences. Enjoy!
RESULTS: A high participation quiz! Five members with 7/7 and all receive the week’s honours:
Michele Lopez “Reggie;” Michael Ellis “Lobo;” Melissa Anderson “Faith;” Denny Dobry “Kirby;” and our Team: Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” and Margie Deck “Gwen.”
Congratulations! Well Done!
Answers below:
It is doubtful that Valentine’s Day is referenced in the Canon, but might there be other holiday references, explicit or implicit, that are mentioned or alluded to in the stories and books? Anyone care to develop a catalogue of Canonical Holidays?
Our members, Ariana Maher and Ron Lies and our observer, Barbara Piper, in recent posts bring to the discussion thoughts on the contemporaneity of John Watson and Sherlock Holmes as a result of several immensely popular cable TV portrayals. Indeed, interest in Sherlock Holmes and John Watson has never been so great in the long history of the Sherlockian milieu.
Without focusing on “elitism” of the “Traditionalists” or “expansionism” of the “Fandom” devotees, what are your thoughts on this massive revival of the Canon in contemporary time and settings?
As background, many of us can recall how the Jeremy Brett series on TV created both excitement and reservations, yet the series was relatively true to the text and the times and now seems almost “traditional.”
Of recent interest in the international news are reports of the huge interest in Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson that is sweeping China. Imagine a new cadre of Sherlockians and Watsonians numbering in the potentially millions and all under the age of twenty-five!
The question becomes: How does the Canon gain or lose by its progression in time and contemporaneity?
Everyone did so well on the palindromes last week, here is one more. Good Luck!
RESULTS: The honours go to Denny Dobry “Kirby” with 25 points; Melissa Anderson “Faith” with 25 points; Dean Trunbloom “Stoker;” and our Team SOBs Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” with 25 points.
ANSWER: Sherlock Holmes and Nero Wolfe = e-o and o-e, a palindrome of vowels frontwards and backwards.
BE SURE TO SEE BREAKING NEWS BELOW
William Smith, Osteopath and thought-to-be model for John H Watson, MD.
Our ever-resourceful Charter Member from Dubai, Kumar Bhatia “Bobbie,” alerts us to breaking news out of the UK and Scotland:
By ANDREW ARGO, 6 February 2014 11.40am.
Dr Watson, companion of Sherlock Holmes in fiction’s most famous detective double act, was a doctor in the west end of Dundee.
The elementary and astonishing piece of evidence that Watson was based on osteopath William Smith has been discovered by city osteopath Tim Baker.
He also learned that the inspiration for the famous detective’s companion treated patients a few yards from his own surgery on Perth Road from 1910 to 1912.
Tim was attending the annual meeting of the Scottish Osteopathic Society in Aberdeen when a guest speaker related the story of William Smith — a story with some surprising twists.
Smith (1862-1912) was one of Britain’s first osteopaths. He opened a practice in Dundee in 1910 after years working in the United States but Tim knew little of his background.
Conference speaker Jason Haxton, curator of the American Museum of Osteopathy, brought various artefacts to illustrate his talk, including an article from an American newspaper written by Smith’s son Cuthbert in 1938.
In the Des Moines Sunday Register account headlined “Watson’s Son Reveals Real Sherlock Holmes,” Cuthbert Smith disclosed Holmes’ author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle modelled Dr Watson on his father, William Smith.
Doyle and William Smith were fellow medical students at Edinburgh University in the 1880s and it was their experience with Dr Joseph Bell that inspired Doyle to create Sherlock Holmes and his trusting companion.
Doyle was so impressed by Bell’s powers of deduction — an uncanny ability to diagnose patients before they would speak a word to him about their afflictions — that he used him as the inspiration for Holmes.
Dr John Watson, a Southsea doctor who served time in Manchuria and was an acquaintance of Doyle, was honoured with having Holmes’ partner named for him.
There is also evidence from A Study in Scarlet, Doyle’s first story to feature Sherlock Holmes, that Surgeon-Major Alexander Francis Preston may have been the model for Dr Watson, as their experiences from the Afghan war were similar
However, the revelation that Dr Watson was based on William Smith casts new light on the character.
Tim Baker attended the Scottish Osteopathic Society annual meeting and found a table with various curiosities brought over by Mr Haxton from the American museum.
“I glanced at the display but did not really pay heed to it,” Tim said.
“Jason Haxton had done some work on the history of osteopathy with reference to Scotland and two of the main players were William Smith and Martin Littlejohn, both Edinburgh-trained doctors who went to America and played a leading role in bringing osteopathy into the 20th Century.
“I started to pay a bit more attention as I knew that William Smith had a practice in Dundee in the early part of the century but I knew nothing else.
“Over coffee I asked Jason more questions and I realised that William Smith had been practising 50 yards from me 100 years ago.”
Tim then saw the speaker’s archive material, which contained the startling revelation in the article by Smith’s son that his father was Dr Watson.
In the Iowa state capital’s newspaper on January 16 1938, Cuthbert Smith recalled Doyle, who also became a doctor, fashioned Sherlock Holmes on Bell.
Cuthbert Smith said: “The detective’s companion Watson was my father William Smith.”
He explained how Doyle and his father marvelled at Bell’s talent presented in a daily parade of breathtaking deliberations.
One day, Doyle confided in William Smith that he was playing around with the idea of writings based on the faculties of Bell, who was approached and not only agreed but offered many helpful suggestions.
“The character of Watson was written around my father but it was merely a friendly gesture on Doyle’s part and not based on any personal merits connected with the remarkable character of the stories of Joseph,” wrote Cuthbert ?Smith.
Cuthbert Smith went on to describe when, as a pupil at Dollar and his father was in Dundee, he was taken by his father to meet Bell and Doyle in Edinburgh — a special occasion when Holmes and Watson were with their creator.
Ron Lies, our always thoughtful and interesting member from Denver, sent this observation along. It has components pertinent to recent discussions in the Sherlockian/Watsonian world and, therefore, deserves as wide an audience as possible. Feel free to comment, and thank you “Chips”.
Recently, there have been exchanges online about who is a Sherlockian. We have always had a healthy exchange of different ideas. This discussion question has brought out responses that have caused hard feelings among some Sherlockians. This concerns me and I would like to share some thoughts I have about the Grand Game we play.
I was fortunate to meet and know John Bennett Shaw, who had the largest individual Sherlockian collection in the United States and was one of the kindest, most decent human beings I ever had the pleasure to know. In my too few visits by letter and in person, we discussed all things Sherlockian. The following points are concepts I took away from my conversations with John Bennett Shaw. I try to base my Sherlockian actions on these points:
1. If you have one of a Sherlockian collectible, you gloat. If you have two, you share.
2. A Sherlockian is anyone who has read a Sherlock Holmes story (preferably a story from the Canon) and tries to find more.
3. A Sherlockian is someone who has watched a Sherlock Holmes movie, television program or play and who tries to find more.
4. A Sherlockian is one who has listened to a Sherlockian radio show, tape or cassette and tries to find more.
5. We should treat a Sherlockian’s opinion with respect even if that opinion is wrong or disagrees with yours.
6. The most important rule is: if you are having fun, do it; if you are not having fun, don’t do it.
I wish you all could have met John Bennett Shaw. He was a Sherlockian and human being of the finest kind.
These then are my thoughts: I am afraid we are losing some of the fun in and respect for each other’s point of view that John mentioned we should have. We each have our own favourite Sherlock Holmes and his world. I am a traditionalist. My Sherlock Holmes is that of the Canon and of the world of 1887. The actor who portrayed my quintessential Holmes is Peter Cushing in his portrayal of Holmes in the 1968 BBC television series.
I am sure there are others who will disagree with me. I look forward to discussing my beliefs with you whether you are Brett supporters or the new wave of Cumberbatch supporters from the BBC Series “Sherlock” which updates Holmes to modern times. All I ask is that you treat my beliefs with the same respect and courtesy I will treat yours.
Greetings to all my Sherlockian friends and those friends I have not yet met.
Ron Lies “Chips” in Denver
The survey question is: How many of our members have read the Nero Wolfe works by Stout, and are you somewhat interested, very interested, or equally interested in the Neronian canon as you are in the Sherlockian canon? Do you regularly read and reread the Nero Wolfe stories?
Thank you for your replies, in advance. They may be left as comments here.
Clarification: This has nothing to do with the John H Watson Society. It concerns understanding if there are those who see cross-over between Rex Stout’s characters and the Sherlockian characters and related scholarship. The Society’s focus will NOT change.
The Weekly Quiz is all about palindrome forms. You’re going to love this one!
Results: Excellent participation this week from Denny Dobry “Kirby,” with 25 points, James O’Leary “Pippin” and Elinor Hickey “Misty” coming next, and Team SOB with Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtdrieve “Daisy” with 25 points. Congratulations all!
Questions and answers can be downloaded below:
Edited & introduced by Andrew Solberg, BSI, JHWS “Herbie” and Robert Katz, MD, BSI, JHWS “Willow”
“The Adventure of the Second Stain” is one of the three Sherlockian adventures dealing with international espionage, and since its publication over a century ago, has engendered considerable speculation concerning the actual parties and nations involved. Irregular Stain, the ninth in the Baker Street Irregulars Manuscript Series, presents the story in a larger format than earlier Series offerings. It’s the first color reproduction of a Holmes manuscript, and also features color facsimiles of proofs and of an original drawing by Sidney Paget.
Published by the BSI in cooperation with Haverford College, the volume reproduces the original manuscript of the story as well as the galley proofs of the original publication. Also included are an annotated typescript of the manuscript, along with commentary, a history of the manuscript, analyses by noted Sherlockians, and articles on topics related to the tale and its historical and political background.
200 pages, 10″ x 7″ hardcover, December 2013
With the manuscript reproduction plus 1 color and 7 b&w illustrations
Purchase from the Baker Street Journal by using this link:
During this period, we may have to slow our Weekly Quiz to a Bi-Weekly Quiz. Buttons will try to keep them coming every week, but there are other complications, as you will learn next.
Buttons and Andrea Stewart “Asta,” our Membership Director, will be relocating from Sonoma County, California’s wine country to the beautiful Horse Capital of the World, Ocala, Florida, where they look forward to embarking on another of their many life adventures at age 70. As you may imagine, the details of home buying and moving will be a bit time-consuming, so we may not be quite as responsive as normal. We are foregoing the seven-day, 3,000 mile drive in favor of a direct flight in seven hours (which is a major concession by Buttons as he had sworn NEVER to fly again for ANY reason after 40 years of flying 200 days a year). We hope to be in our new home and fairly settled by 15 March 2014.
There will be some periods when we will be out of communication; unfortunately, some of it will be during the final days of getting the journal off to the printer, but we will persevere and doubtless all will go smoothly. If, for some reason, Buttons is unable to reply to your emails quickly, your patience will be greatly appreciated.
The John H Watson Society has been designed as primarily an online Society, so it will continue to operate as it has so far, only partially from a different location. Our activities for 2014 include the two issues of The Watsonian, two published monographs, the Weekly Quizzes, the Second Annual Treasure Hunt, and–coming in October–the First International Invitational Team Treasure Hunt, an exciting worldwide Super-Quiz to challenge Watsonians and Sherlockians from around the globe.
As always, sincere thanks and appreciation is extended to our now nearly 140 members for your interest, your participation, and your continued support of the Society.
Here is the weekly quiz for the fourth week of 2014. It is all about place names. Please submit solutions to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com by 12 N on Wednesday, 29 January 2014.
RESULTS: Great participation this week. The honours for perfect performance of 25/25 + 5 = 30 points go to Denny Dobry “Kirby,” Michael Ellis “Lobo,” Kenneth Siarkiewicz “Cooper,” and our never-to-be-stumped team of Margie Deck “Gwen,” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy.” Congratulations to all!
Please download the questions and answers below.
Watson tells us that he was “. . . standing at the Criterion bar” when he met Stamford, “. . . who had been a dresser under me at Bart’s.”
The Criterion was then, and is even today, an upscale establishment. How could Dr Watson afford the price of a pre-lunch drink (or perhaps even two) at the undoubtedly pricey Criterion given the state of his finances which, in his own words, was hardly sound: “So alarming did the state of my finances become, that I soon realized that I must either leave the metropolis and rusticate somewhere in the country, or that I must make a complete alteration in my style of living . . . .”
Did the long-shot mare he had bet on over the Christmas racing season come in a whopping twenty to one and permit Watson the luxury of a celebration at the Criterion?
Kumar provides us with a number of avenues for research: 1) the Christmas racing season and plausible long-shot horses; 2) the evidence for Stamford picking up the tab; 3) the potential of Dr Watson having a tab at the Criterion; 4) or perhaps the simple explanation: he wished to do so without regard to his finances.
Please comment if you have an idea on this question you wish to share. And “Thank You” to Kumar Bhatia “Bobbie” for his always interesting and thoughtful contributions.
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.
Results: This was a very interesting quiz with no true “right” answers. We have two sets of answers tied at 25/25 from Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” and Margie Deck “Gwen” and from Denny Dobry “Kirby.” We will publish both answers and allow you to debate the merits of both responses. As far as Buttons is concerned, everybody did a superb job!
The “Daisy” and “Gwen” and “Kirby” responses are below for downloading.
This week’s quiz is interesting (I hope). It’s all about relativities. Please download your copy below and submit answers by 12 Noon, Wednesday, 22 January 2014 to: buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com
Enjoy!
Download Daisy & Gwen’s Response.
We sold out the initial inventory of lapel, blouse, or deerstalker pins in the first two days (and we won’t receive our initial inventory from Scotland for another 8 days). We have doubled our order and those will arrive in 10 days, so you will be receiving them in the mail shortly after receipt. It appears we have a hit! You like the pins and we hope you will wear them to Sherlockian and Watsonian events with pride! Thanks for your kind support.
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.”