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The Watsonians . . .1994 . . . Ah, Youth!

A recent gift from Bruce Taylor, “The Baker Street Journal” of June 1994, reveals the following announcement listed in From the Editor’s Commonplace Book, a bit choice in its imaginative elements and its culinary and Spiritus Fermenti ambitions, as well as its Watsonian celebration of enthusiasm and expansiveness of activity. To  quote:

“The Watsonian Weekend III will be held in Arlington Park, Illinois on July 8, 9, and 10, 1994. Events include: Reception and V.R. Pistol Competition will be Friday night; an escorted tour of the backstretch of Arlington International Racecourse, and the Watsonian Collegium at the Radison Hotel, the Royal Berkshires/Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers Regimental Dinner, all on Saturday; and the 35th running of The Silver Blaze, hosted by Col.  Ross, featuring a prime rib buffet and a four hour open bar.”

Now, those Watsonians knew how to party back in ’94. And what better celebration of true Watsonian personality and verve than a Regimental Dinner, a V.R. pistol contest, a scholarly Collegium, a four hour open bar, and a half-pension punter’s particular past-time, a bet on Silver Blaze at a great racecourse!

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Society Listed on Sherlockian Who’s Who, Sherlockian.net and Sherlocktron

Thanks to the respected Sherlockian, Alexis Barquin of Sherlockian Who’s Who, The John H Watson Society has taken its place among the many U.S. Societies listed on this extremely helpful Internet website for identifying Sherlockians and Sherlockian societies and clubs. Truly a labor of love, the site features countless organizations and individual Sherlockians and their numerous affiliations. To view the Society’s page, please see:  http://www.sh-whoswho.com/index.php

Thanks to Mr. Chris Redmond, the Society has been listed on Sherlockian.net
http://www.sherlockian.net/, one of the most comprehensive Internet sites for all things related to Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes. If one explores the depth of Sherlockian.net, one rapidly comes to realize the enormous efforts Mr. Redmond and others are making in providing an aggregate hub for all things Sherlockian. The Society can be found on the Societies page, under the category “Special-Purpose Societies.” The Society extends its appreciation and admiration to Mr. Redmond, a renowned and long-time Sherlockian for his courtesy.

And, thanks to the legendary Mr. Willis G. Frick, the Society has been listed among the vast resources found on one of the oldest of Sherlockian Internet sites, Sherlocktron: http://www.sherlocktron.com/. Here, you will find access to Peter E. Blau’s Scuttlebutt, the pre-eminent monthly newsletter of all things Watson-Holmes-Doyle and 1895.

These three websites are invaluable resources for not only the Society members, but all those interested in the Sacred Canon and the activities surrounding our many and varied interests. We salute the faithful “Keepers of the Game” who publish these in-depth, informative websites and who spend countless hours sifting, synthesizing and presenting the Baker Street news and developments from around the world.

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Transatlantic Introductions

The boy in buttons has been sent around to introduce the Society to the Baker Street Irregulars, The Sherlock Holmes Society of London, the Friends of Dr. Watson, and The Watsonians, all venerable organizations in the U.K. and the U.S. with acute interest in John H Watson, M. D.

Notes were delivered to Mr. Roger Johnson, Editor of “The Sherlock Holmes Journal,” Mr. Steven Rothman, Editor of “The Baker Street Journal,” Ms. Susan Diamond, President of The Watsonians, and Mr. Nino Cirone, President of The Friends of Dr. Watson, providing full particulars on the John H Watson Society founding and extending the courtesies of the Society to its fellow Watsonian organisations.

Having completed his rounds, the boy in buttons is to be found at his usual perch outside the Consulting Rooms awaiting replies and further instructions whilst lunching on a meat pasty and a pint.

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The First “Consultation”

The Society’s first Consultation was held at the home of Don and Joanne Yates on Saturday, April 13, 2013, from 12 noon to sometime after dark. Five of the Founding Members were present and a quorum was called. By-Laws 1 and 2 were, at all times, respected and By-Law 5 was given very adequate exercise.

The Chair, Prof. Yates, officially welcomed into Founding Membership Peter Blau, Michael Kean, Donald Pollock and Bruce Taylor. Appropriate toasts were made to each Founder.

The first “Consultation” was held as a part of a large gathering to celebrate the birthday of Don Yates. “The Woman,” Dr. Joanne Yates, prepared a sumptuous feast of authentic Argentine deliciacies, some specially flown in from the long, pointy country to the south, including chorizo, grilled sweetbreads (delicious), empanadas (beyond delicious), and Argentine beefsteak, grilled to perfection. A selection of Napa Valley wines rounded out the participants.

Much discussion was devoted to Watsonian and Sherlockian topics and speculation. Later, after feasting and liberal tastings, naps were noted.

A memorable day; a wonderful gathering; a singular and very special feast; an historic “Consultation.”

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Birthday Wishes to Prof. Don Yates

The Founding Members of the Society extend their warm good wishes to Prof. Don Yates, BSI and Founding Chair, on the date of the official formation of the Society, April 11, 2013, during a celebration of Don’s birthday. Many more years and the joys of Watsonian and Sherlockian explorations! By-Law 5 was honored.
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A Call for Papers

The John H Watson Society is accepting papers and manuscripts for publication in the forthcoming Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 issues of “The Watsonian.”The usual deadline for the Fall issue is being adjusted for 2013 due to the lateness of the year. The Fall submissions should reach the Society by September 15, 2013 for October 15 publication. The Spring issue deadline remains as described on “The Watsonian” webpage, January 15, 2014.

Membership in the Society is not required in order to submit papers, but it is encouraged. Students are encouraged to submit papers or manuscripts for the Watsonian Prize.  All others are encouraged to submit papers or manuscripts for the Yates, Pollock, or Col. Ted Schulz Awards.

The Society is particularly interested in articles concerning Dr. Watson’s life, medical practice, books and stories, and relationship with Sherlock Holmes. Papers should have a distinctly Watsonian view as opposed to the Sherlockian view.

Research papers concerning specific Watsonian subjects and his writing are also encouraged and include enumerative, descriptive and analytical bibliographical research into the Sacred Canon and John H Watson’s biographical work regarding Sherlock Holmes.

Creative writing, in the form of short stories, multi-part stories, or poetry are also requested and include pastiche and original work in the manner of Dr. Watson.

Journalistic articles and writing concerning Dr. Watson and the Sacred Canon, as well as examples of newsleters, print and online communications, and innovations strengthening the bonds between Watsonians and Sherlockians, and Watsonian, Scion and club ephemera, such as toasts, quizzes, special programs, are all encouraged for submission.

Papers and articles concerning the creation, building and development of specialized libraries and book collections concerned with the Watsonian and Sherlockian milieu are desired by the Society and encouraged for submission.

The Society will consider, equally, Traditionalist and Revisionist works.

Papers should be submitted in Word document format, preferably in a 4 x 6 page size, 12 point, single-spaced, with 1 inch top and bottom margins and 0.5 inch side margins.  Journalistic articles, newsletters and ephemera should be sent to the society, either electronically or in original.

Submissions should be made to publisher@johnhwatsonsociety.com .

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Charter and Student Memberships Established

The John H Watson Society announced the creation of Charter Memberships to be given through December 31, 2013.

Also announced are Student Memberships to be given at no cost to full-time or part-time students enrolled at an institution of higher learning. A reduced subscription cost for the Society’s journal will be the only charge for students.

Details for both membership categories will be found on the Society’s website on the Membership Information page.

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Awards and Prizes of The Society Established

The Society has announced the establishment of three annual Awards and one annual Prize for scholarship, research and creative writing pertaining to John H. Watson, M.D. and his contributions to the literary genre of Detective Fiction.

The Yates Award, named for the renowned translator and Sherlockian scholar, Prof. Donald A. Yates, PhD, BSI “The Greek Interpreter,” The Napa Valley Napoleons of S.H., seeks to recognize works of scholarship in translation to further the dissemination of Watsonian research and scholarship worldwide.

The Pollock Award, named for the renowned Sherlockian scholar, editor and author, Prof. Donald Pollock, PhD, MD, The Five Orange Pips, seeks to recognize works and research concerning The Hound of the Baskervilles, arguably John Watson’s finest book.

The Col. Ted Schulz Award, named for renowned  late Sherlockian Col. Ted Schulz, BSI, “The Amateur Mendicant Society” and judged by the equally renowned editor and Sherlockian scholar, Michael H. Kean, PhD, BSI “General  Charles Gordon,” The Diogenes Club of the Monterey Peninsula, seeks to recognize original creative writing concerning John H. Watson, M.D.

The Blau Award, named for the renowned Sherlockian scholar and journalist, Peter E. Blau, BSI “Black Peter,” S.H.S.L., The Red Circle of Washington, D.C., seeks to recognize works of journalism, communication, and ephemera of Watsonian and Sherlockian Scions and clubs.

The Taylor Award, named for the renowned bookman and librarist, Bruce Taylor, NVNSH, seeks to recognize excellence in library building and book collecting within the Watsonian and Sherlockian milieu.

The Watsonian Prize, an annual, endowed scholarship prize of $500 is awarded by the Director of Publishing and Editor-in-Chief, Joanne Yates, PhD., to an enrolled university student writing the best scholarly article pertaining to John H. Watson, M.D. to appear in the official journal of the Society, “The Watsonian”  during each publishing year.