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Society Lapel/Blouse/Deerstalker Pins Available

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The Watson Lapel/Blouse/Deerstalker Pin

Thanks to the kind research by our distinguished Charter Member Harrison Hunt “Dash,” the Society has been fortunate to obtain a supply of distinctive and very nicely-crafted lapel, blouse or deerstalker pins featuring Dr Watson’s Scots clan badge and motto “Insperata Fluorit” which translates to the very appropriate “It Has Flourished Beyond Expectation.”

Given the worldwide flourishing of Dr Watson’s Canon–far beyond his original expectations–it is a most fitting motto for adoption by our Society. The badge shows two hands grasping the evergreen and ever-growing Tree of Knowledge set upon the ancient tartan of the old Edinburgh Watson family from which our good doctor doubtless descends. No more perfect symbols of the Society’s goals and aspirations could be asked for.

In future, we hope to further incorporate this Watson clan badge into our Society’s publishing endeavors and adapt its elements as a part of the Society’s logo and publishing colophon.

Members wishing to have and wear the Watson lapel, blouse or deerstalker pin to Sherlockian meetings and gatherings as a proud indication of their membership in The John H Watson Society may care to purchase a pin at the Society’s cost including shipping of just $10 U.S. and $15 International. The “Buy Now” button above will accommodate PayPal purchases. We anticipate having a limited stock of pins for shipping to you by 25 January 2014.

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Monograph Review from Ron Lies “Chips”

This kind review of the Society’s first monograph publication was received from our appreciative member Ron Lies “Chips” in Denver. Thank you, “Chips”:

“I received my copy of Coin of the Canonical Realm written by Nicolas Utechin and edited and designed by Dr Joanne Yates. This first monograph by our society is a pleasure to read. It is full of information for each case that I now have at my fingertips. It is a great bargain for what little it costs. I feel there will come a day when you will not be able to obtain a copy and you will be sorry.”

Ron in Denver

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Weekly Quiz 2014-1 Results

Week 1 of 2014 was contested by 8 members and one team group. Those taking the honours with perfect scores and five bonus points are:

Member Individual: Denny Dobry “Kirby” of Reading PA. Placing next was Elinor Hickey “Misty” of Baltimore MD and James O’Leary “Pippin” of Natick MA.

Member Team: Margie Deck “Gwen;”  Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy;” of Sound of the Baskervilles, Seattle WA with 20/20 + 5 = 25 points.

Congratulations to these intrepid Quiz Masters!

Answers are posted below.

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Call for Papers

The Society welcomes scholarly papers, articles, original fiction, miscellanea or other submissions for the April 2014 issue of The Watsonian. Members and non-members are invited to submit works by 15 February 2014, the deadline. The journal will print and mail in April 2014. We encourage you to submit your writing directly to Dr Joanne Yates, Editor and Publisher.

Email to: publisher@johnhwatsonsociety.com

We are particularly interested in articles from students and encourage all members to give as much notification as possible to students of the Canon in your area.

The submissions for the April issue along with those from the October 2013 issue will be the basis for awarding the various prizes and awards of the Society for its first publishing year.

Please join in furthering our efforts and the scholarship focused on Dr Watson by participating in this very important publishing mission. One need not be an experienced or academic writer; some of our most engaging articles come from individuals with a love for the writing and appreciation for the pleasures gained over the years.

We want to see your name on the cover!

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Weekly Quiz 2014-01

The John H Watson Society Weekly Quiz:
Questions
A Tribute Quiz to Prof Don Yates “Pal”

Prof Yates offered a unique form of quiz to the members attending the recent 27 December 2013 Consultation at the home of Society members Andree and Chuck Youngson. This is a quiz of word association and is not as easy as it looks. Here is a poor rendition of Dr Yates’s diabolical quiz. Submissions should be sent to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com by 7 pm (Pacific) on Wednesday, 8 January 2014.

The questions are direct quotes or references from the canon, reduced to single letters. For example:

A quote: “Y. h. b. t. A., I. p.” = “You have been to Afghnistan, I perceive.” Holmes; SCAR.

A reference: the r-m’d M. W. = the red-moustached Mr Woodley. Violet Smith; SOLI.

For each question, complete the quote or reference and identify the speaker or the object and the book or story where it is found. Each question is 1 point with a 5 point bonus for total accuracy (25 total possible points).

  1. J. D. of B. C.
  2. The S. S. of J. S.
  3. “W. a. t. w.?”
  4. “The d. d. n. i. t. n.”
  5. “P. S. A. C.—“
  6. ‘S t. p. o. McC., P., a J. S. of St. A.
  7. Mr. H., t. w. t. f. o. a g. h!”
  8. E. W., D. D., P. of the T. C. of St. G’s.
  9. “ . . . I am the s. of the R t. o. C ‘V., and G. S. is my b.m.”
  10. ‘. . . R. F. of F. and M, t. b., of M. L., . . .’
  11. “That w. o. w. t. b. t., . . .”
  12. ‘ . . . the i. g. of N., . . .’
  13. “Some day the t. s. may b. t.”
  14. “S. w. m. h. u. t. t., . . .”
  15. ‘I. t. y. 1878 I t. m. d. of D of M of t. U. of L.,’
  16. “Shall the w., then, b. o. b. o.?”
  17. “Our b. are f. and the n. e.” Holmes; GREE.
  18. ‘ . . . I y. f. t. g. of the N. F., or t. s. of S.”
  19. ‘Must s. y. over C. W. C. at o. /s/ M.
  20. M. A. Upon S. H.

 

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Download Week 1 Questions

 

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Download Week 1 Questions and Answers

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Welcome to Mr Peter Crupe, JHWS “Simon” and BSI “The Noble Bachelor,” our Last Charter Member

The Society welcomes Peter Crupe, JHWS “Simon” and BSI “The Noble Bachelor” as the final Charter Member to the Society. All future new members will be Loyal Members.

Mr Crupe resides in Brooklyn, New York and is a distinguished member of many, many Sherlockian scions and groups, including:


» The Baker Street Irregulars (The Noble Bachelor)
» The Mini-Tonga Scion Society
» The Priory Scholars of New York
» The Sons of the Copper Beeches
» The Three Garridebs
» Mrs. Hudson’s Cliffdwellers of New Jersey
» Watson’s Tin Dispatchers
» The Long Island Cave Dwellers
» The Montague Street Lodgers of Brooklyn (co-Founder)
» The Speckled Band of Boston
» The Epilogues of Sherlock Holmes
» The Red Circle of Washington, D.C.
» The Sherlock Holmes Society of London
» The Bootmakers of Toronto
» The Illustrious Clients of Indianapolis
» The 140 Varieties of Tobacco Ash (The Perpetual Cigar)
» The American Firm
» The Fortescue Scholarship Program (B.S.S. & A.M.S.)
» The Friends of Irene Adler (A Frenchman or a Russian)
» The Canonical Capricorns
» The Turf Builders of Baker Street (co-Founder)
» The Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes (The Noble Bachelor)
» The Hudson Valley Sciontists

We extend a warm welcome to Peter with our traditional new member greeting:

“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive”




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The Monograph Mails Today: “Coin of the Conanical Realm”

Buttons has just returned from the Wigmore Street Post Office where he posted the monograph “Coin of the Canonical Realm” to all who ordered a copy. The printer shipped to the Drs office on time, but weather and the Christmas bustle seems to have delayed delivery from New Jersey to California until 31 December. But, all is well!  You should all receive your copies in 7 to 10 days, a bit longer for our European and Far East members.

Thank you very much indeed to all who purchased a copy of this fascinating and exceedingly detailed and well-researched monograph by Nicholas Utechin “Rex.”  The design and editing by our Editor, Dr Joanne Yates, is superb. This will be a monograph of historical canonical note.

There are still a few copies remaining. Please see the Society Publications page to order a copy.

 

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Founding (Monikered) Members

The Founding Members are: (Conferred “Bull Pup” monikers in quotes)

Prof. Donald A. Yates, PhD, Author, Editor, BSI “The Greek Interpreter,” The Napa Valley Napoleons of S. H.
Bull Pup “Pal”

Prof. Donald Pollock, PhD, MD, Author, Editor, The Saturday Review of Literature, The Five Orange Pips
Bull Pup “Hound”

Joanne Yates, PhD, Napa Valley Napoleons of S. H.
Bull Pup “Sandy”

Michael H. Kean, PhD, BSI “General Charles Gordon,” The Diogenes Club of the Monterey Peninsula
Bull Pup “Toby”

Peter E. Blau, BSI, “Black Peter,” S.H.S.L., The Red Circle of Washington, D.C.
Bull Pup “Curly”

Robert S. Katz, MD, BSI “Dr Ainstree,” Sons of the Copper Beeches
Bull Pup “Willow”

Howard A. Brody, MD, PhD, BSI  “Anstruther”
Physician and Professor, University of Texas
Bull Pup “Caddy”

Jon Lellenberg, BSI, “Rodger Prescott,” S.H.S.L., Friend of the Sherlock Holmes Collections of the University of Minnesota Sherlock Holmes Collection,  Representative, The Doyle Estate Ltd.
Bull Pup “Towser”

Bruce Taylor, Bookman and Librarist, The Napa Valley Napoleons of S. H.
Bull Pup “Booker”

Andrea Stewart, SHSL, Napa Valley Napoleons of S. H.
Bull Pup “Asta”
Email:  membership@johnhwatsonsociety.com

Don Libey, SHSL, Napa Valley Napoleons of S. H., The Poor Folk Upon the Moors
Bull Pup “Buttons”
Email: buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com

Founding and Charter Members
Founding and Charter Memberships shall be given to all inductees of the Society through December 31, 2013. After that date, all Members shall be Monikered Members and  shall have a bull-pup moniker bestowed upon them by the Society Chair. The process for conferring monikers upon Members is one known only by the Chair and is ancient and arcane with great degrees of cogitation, rumination, partial levitation, and moderate bibulation.  The Chair neither understands nor attempts to explain the mysteries of the resulting Member’s unique name: it is entirely due to the ethers.

Monikered Members
Monikered Memberships shall be given to all inductees beginning April 11, 2013, including those designated as Founding and Charter Members. A bull pup name shall be conferred upon all members equally. Monikered Membership dues are $25 annually for 2 downloadable PDF issues of The Watsonian, $35 annually for 2 issues of The Watsonian by mail to a US domestic address in addition to the digital issues, or $45 annually for 2 issues of The Watsonian by mail to an address elsewhere in addition to the digital issues. Monikered Members (including Founding and Charter Members and Student Members) shall be accorded full and equal privileges of the Society.  There is, in fact, only one category of Membership in the Society: Member

By-Laws of the Society
The Society has few By-Laws. Those it has adopted are as follows:

1. To honour the persona and the literary creations of Doctor John H Watson.
2. To engage in Traditionalist and Revisionist thought and writing about the life and work of John H Watson.
3. To call to order a “consultation” whenever and wherever two or more Watsonians are gathered.
4. To solicit, consult on, prepare, edit and publish scholarly articles, papers and works furthering By-Laws 1 and 2 above.
5. To offer, provide for, or purchase age-appropriate refreshments (The Famous Grouse or other) during any and all consultations.  Failure to do so will require the miscreant to stand a round  for all Society members present.
6. Whenever in doubt as to proper procedure, content, or requirements, see By-Law 5 above.

Membership perquisites for all Monikered Members shall include: a subscription to the Society journal, The Watsonian; and a titular Bull Pup societal name to be assigned to all Members. Dues shall be payable annually in January. Members are responsible for keeping the Society apprised of address changes, email changes, name changes, etc.

Activities of the Society
The Society is a literary and publishing society and hopes to evolve to a periodic “meetings” or “dinners”  society. Local clubs, worldwide, known as “Consulting Rooms” are encouraged and, when two or more members gather, these “consultations” shall be for furthering the work of the Society through adherance to By-Laws 1 and 2 and, more specifically, By-Law 5 above.

The Society shall foster and encourage the introduction of youth to the writings of John H Watson in The Sacred Canon with a goal of keeping the memory of 221B Baker Street and 1895 forever green through the recruitment of successive generations of Watsonians and Sherlockians.

The Society shall, to the extent possible, publish the journal, articles, and monographs, print and electronic formats, at the lowest, non-profit cost possible for the benefit of the Members.

The Society shall reciprocate with and encourage dialogue and shared activities with Sherlockian societies wherever possible, particularly where observance of By-Law 5 is anticipated.

The Society shall operate and maintain a website and blog with news of current activities and other information. The offices of the Society shall be peripatetic and reside with the Boy in Buttons.

The Society shall, in all things and endeavors, seek to have fun and create happiness through enjoyment of The Sacred Canon.

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Membership in the Society

Membership in The Society

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Her Majesty and her troops

Honorary Life Membership in The John H Watson Society is granted to all living members of the Berkshires who served at the 1880 Battle of Maiwand. All others may purchase a membership, which includes a subscription to The Watsonian, through the John H Watson Society Shop.

Prospective members do not require an invitation from the Society to become members; all interested Watsonians are encouraged to join our collegial Society where inclusion is always preferable.

Membership is extended to all Watsonians and others who wish to enlarge and enhance the Watsonian literary and historical milieu.

 

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The Society’s Regalia

The Society’s Regalia

The Society’s Motto is that of the Clan Watson: “Insperata Floruit” (“It has Flourished Beyond Expectation”)

The Society’s Toast is: “Good old Watson! You are the one fixed point in a changing age.”

The Society’s Greeting to fellow members is: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”

The Society’s Symbol is: The Clan Watson Seal and Motto “Insperata Floruit” (“It Has Flourished Beyond Expectation”)

The Society Lapel pin is available for purchase in the John H Watson Society Shop.

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Vincent Brosnan: Beyond the Terrace

We announce with great sadness the passing of Vincent Brosnan, JHWS “Beeton” and BSI “That Gap On That Second Shelf” on 28 December 2013 (1933-2013).

Mr Brosnan is featured on our Watsonian Limelight page. He was a renowned and remarkable Bookman, one of the last great bookmen and the end of an era.

We have stood upon the terrace for the last time and “Beeton” has now moved in membership to Honourary Emeritus Member.

Please join together in a quiet moment of  kind reflection for Vinnie who passed this way with great integrity and left us all immeasurably better for his presence.

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Weekly Quizzes Resume 3 January 2014

Just a reminder to our intrepid Quiz Masters that the Weekly Quiz will resume on Friday, 3 January 2014 at 4 pm Pacific time.

With a new year beginning, we invite all of our members to participate in the quiz activities. It is a pleasant and fun diversion each week and we have many reports from long-time Sherlockians and Watsonians saying that they always learn many new things from the quizzes.

Please, do give it a go!

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The Society Welcomes Seven New Charter Members and Announces Historic Membership Changes

The Society is pleased to welcome seven new Charter Members.

Greg Darak “Dexter”

Welcome to Mr Greg Darak, JHWS “Dexter” and BSI “The Engineer’s Thumb,” member of The Speckled Band of Boston. He joins us from Trumbull, Connecticut.

Ann Gavaghan “Cherie”

Welcome to Ms Ann Gavaghan, JHWS “Cherie” who joins us from her home in London. Ann writes:

“Thanks so much for the warm welcome! I am a fairly new Sherlockian – I’ve been an avid reader of the stories for years, but only recently have made the plunge into the world of the scions, following relocation from the United States to London. In addition to my membership in the John H Watson Society, I am also a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London.”
“
Michael Jordan “Lowell”

Welcome to Mr Michael r Jordan, JHWS “Lowell” who joins us from American Canyon, California. “Lowell” is a member of the Napa Valley Napoleons of S.H.

Elizabeth Kerr “Gigi”

Welcome to Ms Elizabeth Kerr, JHWS “Gigi” who joins from her home in American Canyon, California. “Gigi” is also a member of the Napa Valley Napoleons of S.H.

Scott Monty “Woolley”

Welcome to Mr Scott Monty, JHWS “Woolley” and BSI “Corporal Henry Wood.” “Woolley” is the co-host of the vastly popular Internet source “I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere.” He lives in Canton, Michigan.

Burt Wolder “Taylor”

Welcome to Mr Burt Wolder, JHWS “Taylor” and BSI “Third Pillar From the Left,” SHSL, member of The Sons of the Copper Beeches and Master-Copper-Beech Smith. Also, member of The Speckled Band of Boston and The Cornish Horrors. “Taylor” is also co-host of  “I hear of Sherlock Everywhere.” He lives in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

Jeff Quest “Galahad”

Welcome to Mr Jeff Quest, JHWS “Galahad” who joins the Society from Berwyn, Illinois.



A warm welcome to all of our new Charter Members is extended by the Society in its entirety. We look forward to the participation by these Watsonian and Sherlockian enthusiasts and to their contributions to The Watsonian.

We extend to each of them our traditional Welcome: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”


New Membership Changes


With our newest members, the Society’s  Founding and Charter Members total 134 members. It is likely that the Founding and Charter Member period will end on December 31, 2013 with 135 total members. After this date, all new members will be known as Loyal Members. As Charter and Founding Members become Retired or Emeritus, their bull-pup monikers will be re-assigned to new Loyal Members based on seniority of membership date. Thus, the Founding Members will always number twelve and the Charter Members will always number one hundred twenty-three, for a total of one hundred and thirty-five “Monikered Members.” Loyal Members and Student Members will be unlimited.

Founding and Charter “Monikered” Members are encouraged to retain their Founding and Charter Certificates with their bestowed Moniker as these will become future historic artifacts of the Society’s early history.

And so, on to 2014 and the future of The John H Watson Society.  With all good wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year, we remain,

Faithfully yours . . .


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New Data From Alexis Barquin, JHWS “Olivier”

Alexis Barquin, Co-Founder of La Societe Sherlock Holmes de France and JHWS “Olivier” sends the following discovery for our members’ enlightenment. We wish to thank “Olivier” for sending this most interesting new fact to us and for including the original illustrations below.

Alexis writes:

“Dear Members:

Best wishes for 2014. I hope that this new year will bring you many new sherlockian discoveries. Here is one you maybe don’t know:
Sidney Paget was not the first one to draw Sherlock Holmes with a deerstalker (BOSC in The Strand Magazine in October 1891). Thirteen  months earlier, the Bristol Observer was publishing The Sign of Four in 8 issues between 17 May and 5 July 1890 with 24 illustrations. The illustrator has depicted 2 times Sherlock Holmes with a deerstalker… and a moustache.”

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A Consultation of the Society: 27 December 2013

Two days after Christmas, as per the Canonical text, a Consultation of the Society was held in Napa, California at the home of Charter Members Andree and Chuck Youngson, “Belle” and “Jeeves.” The gracious hosts prepared the wonderful classic British dinner of roast beef with all the trimmings and additional dishes, appetizers, and desserts, as well as a liberality of wines, were brought by members. Suffice it to say that the warmth of hospitality, conviviality and superb cooking have seldom reached such heights in the post-Christmas quietude.

The afternoon also served as a meeting of the Napa Valley Napoleons of S.H., Dr Don Yates, “Pal” in the chair. The “Blue Carbuncle” radio drama starring Sirs Richardson and Geilgud was listened to and discussion followed.

Prof Yates called the Society’s third Consultation to order. The nine Founding and Charter Members present included Prof Yates and Dr Joanne Yates “Pal and “Sandy,” Andree and Chuck Youngson “Belle” and Jeeves,” Bruce Taylor “Booker,” Alice and Donald Schueler, “Goldie” and “Ascoyne,” Andrea Stewart “Asta” and Don Libey, “Buttons.”

Prof Yates called the Consultation to order at 3:00 p.m. A toast to Dr Watson was offered and celebrated. A motion was made to proceed with Bylaw #5 and to adjourn the meeting as no other business was before the Society. The motion carried and the Chair adjourned the Consultation at 3:05 p.m.  Following the meeting, a fine bottle of aged port was poured and sticky toffee pudding was enjoyed by all.

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Wishing each of you “the compliments of the season.”

“I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.”

With these words, Dr Watson began his story The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle. And, with these words, we extend to all of our members–now nearing 130 worldwide–our “compliments of the season.”

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From Ron Lies and Sandy Kozinn: An Ode

Our Maven of Miscellanea, Ron Lies “Chips” of Denver, who sends us wonderful tid-bits he finds in his Watsonian and Sherlockian peregrinations, suggested we offer the Ode written by Sandy Kozinn “Roxie”.  Ron writes:

“Buttons, I read this and thought it would be a good piece to put in our blog. I wish you and yours all the best for a blessed and wonderful Christmas and all things great for next year. Please extend all my hopes and wishes for the holiday season to all the members of our Society.”

“Roxie” writes:

“There are always new Sherlockians.  Some of them may actually have never seen this, a toast I presented to a Blue Carbuncle Dinner meeting of The Three Garridebs some years ago. It’s another take on that old question:  What was that stone, anyhow?”

ODE ON THE O.E.D. ON THE CARBUNCLE, or What Was it, Anyhow?

Each year we meet to greet and dine,
Perhaps to sip a glass of wine
In honor of the carbuncle blue.
A carbuncle blue?  It can’t be true!
As I glanced through the O.E.D.
Three definitions popped out at me.
A carbuncle stone, it clearly said,
Was a precious stone of a fiery red.
A carbuncle could be a red facial spot,
An infection or a tumor, but both red hot.
There’s one thing more that it could be:
A small lump of coal, quite black to see.
Such coal in a goose would be quite shocking.
(It really belongs in Moriarty’s stocking.)
But if Mycroft Holmes had sired a child
(And I admit that idea is wild)
And if Sherlock were sad on the day that he sat
For Oscar Meunier — did you get all that? —
And Oscar worked in coal, then that statue or trunk’ll
Turn out to have been a blue carb uncle.
But a statue in black, the size of a bean
In the crop of a goose might never be seen.
So what was the stone?  what color?  what kind?
There’s only one answer I’m able to find.
Since Watson wrote “scintillatingly brilliant blue”
Then what must have happened — I leave it to you —
Was:  He made a mistake!  There’s a very good reason,
For Watson, like us, was toasting the season.

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Welcome to Michael Ellis, JHWS “Lobo”

The Society is pleased to extend its greetings to Mr Michael Ellis, JHWS “Lobo” of Plymouth, Michigan. We hope to have Mr Ellis’s biography soon and will embellish this welcome when it is received.  Until then, we send our new member greeting:

“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive”