Who was Maureen Sarsfield?

I've worked on piecing together the life of Dorothy Bowers over the past few years, and recently posted an updated set of information about Dorothy. The reason I took such in interest in Bowers is because her five published novels were of incredibly high quality, and because so little was known about her. 

There is a second unappreciated author I have an incredible appreciation for: 

Maureen Sarsfield

Sarsfield presents something of a mystery. The name is a pseudonym, and she did not reveal her true name during her career. Sarsfield published two spirited mysteries in England with Inspector Parry on the case:

• Green December Fills the Graveyard, 1945
• Dinner for None, 1948 (with the title A Party for Lawty in the US)

Sarsfield also published a third non-mystery novel titled 'Gloriana'. I have original copies of the US editions of her mystery works (one of which is signed by Sarsfield), and a UK print of Gloriana.

The excellent but now defunct Rue Morgue Press (Colorado, USA) republished these novels in 2003, but inexplicably blandly retitled them (!) as 'Murder at Shots Hall' and 'Murder at Beechlands'. 

At the time of re-printing, very little was known of who Maureen Sarsfield really was, as this selection of text from the introduction to the Rue Morgue Press reprints demonstrates:

The Mystery of Maureen Sarsfield

"British writer Maureen Sarsfield had all the tools necessary to make it as a major mystery writer, but after publishing just three novels - two of which were mysteries - between 1945 and 1948, she completely disappeared from the literary landscape. Whether she died young, commenced her short career at an advanced age or simply grew tired of writing life is unknown. The biographical copy on the dust jacket of the American edition of Green December Fills the Graveyard merely identifies her as a new writer, making no comment on her age. Many of the characters in her three novels are in their thirties or forties, and she writes so believably about the sensibilities and attitudes of that age group that she herself probably either belonged to it or had recently entered early stages of middle age.

"There is no evidence that her books... made much of a splash in the US. Other than an appearance in 1950 in Two Complete Detective Novels (a pulp magazine) by Green December, her books seem not to have been reprinted. Her choice of titles for her mystery books may have been partly to blame for what we assume were unimpressive sales. We make no apologies for giving both mysteries some-what more genre-driven titles. All our effort, going back several years, to discover anything at all about Sarsfield have failed. 

"These two mysteries are a gem of the British school. Both feature the fortyish Lane Parry, a Scotland Yard detective who twice finds evil deeds un the backwaters of Sussex. Parry is a complex and well-drawn character.  

Clearly this matter was resolved to some degree following publication, as the Rue Morgue Press website (which no longer exists) had a note that the author's true name at the time of publication of her books was Maureen Pretyman, and she simultaneously published children's stories under that name. However, like Dorothy Bowers, no biographical summary of Sarsfield's life exists.

So let's rectify that!

As will be shown, Maureen's local newspapers in the mid 1940s reveal that Sarsfield was a pen-name for Maureen Pretyman. However, the general public was unaware that Sarsfiend was a pseudonym. This short article related to the first of her two mystery novels gives a flavor of her character, but also don't provide much solid to work with from a research point of view: 

Daily Mirror

Mon, Dec 31, 1945

This Month's New Author. Maureen Sarsfield, with "Green December Fills the Churchyard" (Pilot Press, 8s. 6d.). By birth she is three-quarter Irish, one-quarter Australian, with a dash of Italian and Viking. Married early, her late husband told her that all wives should earn their own living, no matter what their husbands' finances, so she became serving girl in a dress shop, a buyer, packer ; went on the films, and raced at Brooklands. Plays shove ha'penny as a hobby. 

As for her book this would be a really excellent first detective story (it is fast-moving and with brilliant situations) except for one thing: there is an appalling amount of bad language in it.

Maureen Kate HEARD was born in Surrey, England in 1899 to Edward Severin HEARD and Georgina HEARD. Both Edward and Georgina were the children of senior military officers, and both had been born in India where the British had significant military postings. In the 1901 census Maureen was living in Frimley, Surrey with her parents and an older brother Patrick B V HEARD. Edward was described as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Northumberland Fusiliers (!! for any Sherlockian) and a Professor in Topography at the Staff College. In the 1911 census, Maureen was staying with her maternal grandparents Beauchamp and Manie Magrath in Camberley, Surrey. 

In 1919, Maureen marred George Frederick Pretyman at Holy Trinity Church, Brompton (in London).

At the time, Maureen was living in Collingham Rd London. Maureen was marrying within the senior military network. George's father was General Sir George Tindal Pretyman (1845-1917), who had served in the Second Anglo-Afghan War (!! again for the Sherlockians) aide-de-camp to Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, and continued to serve with distinction in later expeditions, including during the Boer War. 

Maureen's husband himself was no slouch. His Profession was listed as Lieutenant-Colonel in the RAF. George distinguished himself in the Royal Flying Corp, and as a member of 3 Squadron is reputed to have taken the RFC’s first wartime aerial photographs during a September 15, 1914 sortie. In 1915 he received a DSO for bombing a German train he observed to be loading German troops  destined for the front.

There is not a great deal of information about Maureen from the end of the WW1 (i.e., 1919) till WW2 (1939). Following the war George stayed in the RAF. In 1926, George was assaulted in Uxbridge (west of London) where they lived, so severely that it was estimated he could never fly again, and the assailant was jailed. George retired from the RAF in 1929, and at the age of only 45 he died in the village of Alresford, Hampshire. George's death received attention in the English press because of a curious stipulation in his Will:

Gloucester Citizen - Thursday 01 July 1937

AIRMAN'S BURIAL PLAN

"LAND WASTED BY GRAVEYARDS"

"I particularly wish that my body shall not be buried, as having flown over the greater part of the United Kingdom, I have noticed what a large amount of valuable land is wasted for purposes of graveyards."

This was the last wish as disclosed in his will published to-day of Wing Commander George Frederick Pretyman, D.S.O. of Creek House, Alresford, Essex, who died on June 4 last, aged 45, leaving estate of the gross value of L8,719 (net personally L7,093) 

Widowed at the age of about 37, it appears Maureen - not yet an author - moved in with her father. With the initiation of World War 2, a civilian register was compiled in England & Wales, and Maureen was entered as living with her father (a widower) at Friar's Hill House, Battle in Sussex. 

At the start of the war, Maureen and her father purchased an old decommissioned windmill called "Harrow Mill" in the village of Baldslow north of Hastings (it still stands today). Pretyman published her first book for children in 1943 - titled 'They Knew Too Much'. The local newspaper featured an extensive article on Pretyman at the time of her first publication (Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 02 October 1943), some parts of which are excerpted here:

With its magnificent outlook over coast and countryside, the old mill one the most romantic residences Sussex, and its interior has been transformed into charming home. An unusual knocker in the form of a bronze dolphin, its tail fashioned into trident, hangs the front door and it  has a story of its own. It is a relic of Mrs. Pretyman’s old home on Kenmare Bay, County Kerry, in West Ireland. "This house was burned down by the IRA one night during the troubles in 1922.” said Mrs. Pretyman. "My father and mother and the rest of the household were rescued by the Royal Navy and taken off in a destroyer. When we came Sussex we lived, first of all, at The Roughters Icklesham, and afterwards at Guestling. We moved to the Harrow Mill about two months after the war started.” 

All these properties are large and belie a significant family wealth.

At Baldslow Mrs. Pretyman has not only been an active member the Civil Defence Service as a warden, but for some months after the formation the Home Guard she helped by running a canteen of her own for the men near the mill during the time a post was maintained there. One would think that this would be enough extra occupation besides the management a home, for the most energetic of workers, but she added to her responsibilities undertaking the care of two evacuee children and even two evacuee dogs well."

These children are likely represented in the 1939 register referred to above, where two children, Charles and Edward West, are living at the mill with Maureen and her father.  It is interesting to note that my biography of Dorothy Bowers also identified that she also took in at least one child during the war. Pretyman explained that she started writing because she was dissatisfied with the quality of children's books available.

"She has made writing her main hobby as well as occupation, but before the days of petrol restrictions she was ardent motorist, and gardening is another of her interests. It was very peaceful at the old mill.... Beyond the open door with its dolphin guardian there was a glimpse of the sunlit garden and the Sussex countryside beyond. But Mrs. Pretyman has memories of  strenuous days during the Battle of Britain when things were far different. "The mill balcony was a splendid look-out point,” she said, “and many a time we watched the German air squadrons approaching, and then saw them broken up and beaten back by a handful of our gallant pilots.”  

A series of children's books followed, and then the three books for adults published under the name Maureen Sarsfield - a newspaper article states she published elevn in total but this is what I've found:

Maureen Pretyman:

• They Knew Too Much (1943)
• Dreaming Mountain. A Fairy Story of County Kerry (1944)
• Queen Victoria Lost Her Crown (1946)
• Stars in Danger (1946)
• The Mermaid of Kilshannig (1947)

Maureen Sarsfield:

• Green December Fills the Graveyard (1945)
• Gloriana (1946)
• Dinner for None (1948) ; Party for Lawty in the US ; also printed in French 

Certainly eight books was an intense output for a six year period. As quickly as Maureen started, she finished. In 1944, Maureen's father died. The UK probate confirms that there was an Australian family connection for Maureen's paternal family. 

Probably as a result of her father's death, Maureen sold Harrow Mill, and the sale and author were again featured in a newspaper article ("Authoress Seeks Smaller Home", Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 06 March 1948). 

"After the sale, Mrs. Pretyman told Observer reporter that she had disposed of the property because she found it rather too large for her requirements, but she was deeply attached to this part of the country and she would remain in the locality if she could find a small house to suit her. Mrs. Pretyman has written all her 11 books at the Harrow Mill. She writes children’s books under the name of Maureen Pretyman and novels under that of Maureen Sarsfield. Her last book, published in January, was entitled Dinner for One.” A room above the lounge partitioned off a writing-room."

For reasons not yet understood, Maureen never published another book. She possibly lived in London after leaving the mill, but ultimately lived back in Ireland. There were no more books, and no news articles that reference her. She did not have children, and when she died in 1961 aged about 61, she was living at Temple Hill Nursing Home in Tahilla, Killarney, Cork. Pretyman's will leaves her estate to a number of family members. 

Her Will directs that "should I die in Eire I wish to be buried next to my grandfather Samuel Thomas Heard in Sneem Churchyard County Kerry." I have not yet identified a headstone for Pretyman. Among the directions, her "copyright in any of my literary works and the benefit of all literary contracts" were left to her niece Irina Heard (the daughter of her older brother, living at The Bungalow, Idmiston). 

Everything but Baker Street, Eldersburg, MD

A recent query on the Facebook group 'The Strangers Room' (which all Sherlockians should join) by Vincent Wright asked 'Is anyone familiar with this section of Eldersburg, MD?'

I was amazed to Zoom in to the satellite image and discovery that there was a Sherlock Holmes St on the map. So where is Eldersburg, Maryland? It is to the west of Baltimore and directly north of DC, close to Ellicott City where the Watson's Tin Box scion meets.

 Zoom in to look at the area, things get REALLY interesting:

Wow. OK so it turns out this development is called 'Sherlock Holmes Estates', with the majority of homes built around the mid-1990s. There are a significant number of Sherlockian street names:

- Conan Doyle Way (the main entrance street to the development)

- Sherlock Holmes St

- Watson Ct

- Elementary Dr

- Mycroft St

- Moriarty Ct

- Noble Bachelor Ct

- Dancing Men Dr

- Musgrave Ritual Dr

- Silver Blaze Dr

- Baskerville Dr

- Hudson Dr

What a list! Critically, Moriarty Ct does not intersect with Sherlock Holmes St.

Given the dense web of real estate-related web sites, I've found it difficult to learn about the establishment/development of Sherlock Holmes Estates, but a list of all Carroll County developments did not reveal another obviously literature-related development name. Surely a Sherlockian was involved, particularly when all characters and multiple stories are name-checked. Visiting to take pictures of each street sign is now on my list of things to do!

Perhaps the critical question: Why is there no Baker Street?

Finally, I find myself wondering whether the development design itself has a subtle nod to Sherlock's detection methods:

Edgar W Smith bookplates

I recently purchased two books specifically because they had bookplates of Edgar Wadsworth Smith in them.

Smith was a giant of the Sherlockian movement and one of the most important in the formative years of the Baker Street Irregulars. Among other things, Smith founded the Baker Street Journal. His demise was considered sudden and premature.

I cannot find any record of what happened to Smith's library of Sherlockian books (nor have I seen an inventory of it), but have seen one or two other books with a Smith bookplate in them. For example, this Grolier Club article on early Holmes editions includes one with a Smith bookplate (https://grolierclub.omeka.net/exhibits/show/sherlock-holmes/adventures-memoirs).

The bookplate itself was created by Walter Klinefelter, and is included in Klinefelter's book on Sherlockian bookplates which you can read about at Ray Betzner's blog (https://www.vincentstarrett.com/blog/2015/1/24/books-and-bipeds-the-2015-baker-street-irregulars-dinner-weekend).

The first book is The Croxley Master, published in the US by McClure, Phillips & Co. in 1907. 

The second book is 'Spotlight on a Simple Case, or, Wiggins Who Was That Horse I Saw You With Last Night' by Robert S. Morgan. The book was published privately at the Cedar Tree Press (Wilmington, DE), and includes an illustration by Smith. Curiously, the first fifty copies (of 500 numbered) were stated to be signed by the 'Author and Artists' but my copy owned by Smith was number 54 despite being an illustrator (the other illustration was provided by Arthur Josephson).

Both books have the same bookplate 'feature' - the bookplate is free. It is very clear that the bookplate matches the book, as the 'glue' (looks more like a paste) that Smith liberally applied to the back of the bookplate leaves a perfect matching impression. I'll leave them 'tipped in'.

Private Life Sherlock Holmes signed by Starrett

A little while back I obtained a copy of The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1st ed, 1933, Macmillan) at an auction. This ticked off something I'd been seeking, as this copy is signed by Vincent Starrett. The book came with a custom bookcase, certainly it did not come with the book, and the book is also missing its dustjacket.

The book is signed and inscribed by author on the front free endpaper: 

"To Franklin Rhode – this rare first edition – signed with canonical greetings by Vincent Starrett 17 Nov. 1965".

I had not looked into who this 'Franklin Rhode' might be, when the sale was mention in Peter Blau's 'Scuttlebutt' newsletter for September 2025 (you can read the newsletter each month at redcircledc.org).

I let Peter know that I had the book, and Peter recommended I check in with the World-Leading Starrett Authority, Ray Betzner. Ray got back to me with some lovely information:

"I am quite confident that this book was inscribed by Starrett himself. The inscription and date lend a high level of authenticity.... As for Frank Rhode, there is a good candidate I think. There were many by that name in Chicago in the '60s. But I feel confident his full name was Franklin W. Rhode, who was a member of the Hounds of the Baskerville (sic), Starrett’s Chicago scion."

Ray also suggested I look into whether there was a Sherlockian meeting in Chicago on 17 November 1965... for example the Hounds of the Baskerville (sic), 

But first, who was Franklin Rhode? The great news is that the Hounds of the Baskerville (sic) have a wonderful web site that includes biographies of members:

Franklin Williams Rhode was born January 5, 1910 in Chicago, IL.  Rhodes was described as a “railroad man and a collector of old English glossaries” in the June 1967 issue of The Baker Street Journal. He was active with Hugo’s Companions, participating in their Silver Blaze horseraces, and served as their Sergeant-at-arms. He contributed the article “My Old Friend Charlie Peace” to the June 1966 Baker Street Journal; “Palmer and Pritchard Were Among the Heads of Their Profession”, parts 1 and 2, to the June 1967 and March 1968 issues; and “Langdale Pike and Steve Dixie” to the March 1970 issue. He received the investiture of “My Old Friend Charlie Peace” from The Baker Street Irregulars in 1967. He moved to St. Louis in 1970. Rhode died on October 17, 1974 and is buried in St. Louis, MO. Biographical information provided courtesy of Julie McKuras.

A collection of Sherlockian pieces by Franklin Rhodes were published under the title Pike’s Peeks at the World of Sherlock Holmes (Battered Silicon Dispatch Box, 1988). The book includes a brief bibliography of Rhodes, and some delightful sketches:

In time I will add any extra biographical notes from the Rhode book.

Sadly, I have not yet identified how Starrett and Rhode intersected on 17 November 1965. I've searched Chicago newspapers and found no account of any event, and helpful searches by Chicago scion heads hasn't unearthed an event on that date. Starrett published 'Born in a Bookshop' in late 1965, and there are multiple book reviews in Chicago papers in November 1965. Perhaps the book was autographed at a book signing event for Starrett's new book.

Rhode lies in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis City, Missouri

Franklin Williams Rhode

Birth 5 Jan 1910

Death 17 Oct 1974 (aged 64)

Glittering fragments of John Bennett Shaw

I recently picked up some wonderful items regarding John Bennett Shaw (www.johnbennettshaw.com). Shaw was famous as a collector of all things Sherlockian. He sent out an annual Christmas Card, was a productive correspondent, and ran a delightful scion that met in Moriarty, New Mexico to disdain the memory of that evil genius - including with a shooting session.

The collection of material was owned by Jim Coffin, a CA Sherlockian. I've decided to show some examples here of Shaw's wonderful output.

I hope these examples are entertaining,

Christmas cards

 

1993 was the last year that Shaw sent out a Christmas card, and he presaged that with the message in his card. It was the year his collection made its way to the University of Minnesota. 

Letters - Shaw dedicated an incredible amount of time to correspondence. Here's one letter as an example. Shaw mentions a murder that happened (suspected) next door, and also appears to be referring to the suspicion that Jack Tracy BSI murdered his mother (you can read a great deal about that at this web page).

The Brothers Tree of Moriarty - Shaw's scion. Each program includes a list (a long list!) of toasts, and included the Colonel Sebastian Moran Trap Shoot !

 

Photos - a visit to Shaw was recorded in a set of photos, including a wonderful one of Shaw and his wife Dorothy, and Shaw's wonderful license plate!

Finally among a set of newspaper article is a wonderful program for one of Shaw's workshops

Tucked in the back - a philately connection

My last post on A sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of postcards discussing the stamps in 'Philatelic & Numismatic Holmes' by Benton Wood BSI. Peter Blau wrote to me to remind me of the excellent "The Philatelic Sherlock Homes" web page that was created and maintained by Stephen (Kepano) Trussel: www.trussel.com/detfic/sholmes.htm. The site indicates that Trussel passed away on June 26, 2020. Sadly I cannot find an obituary for Trussel, but he appears to have been a linguist who created and maintained Hawaiian and Pacific language online dictionaries, described also as a retired professor of English from Sanno College in Tokyo. Trussel apparently created and maintained the eminent Maigret site Simenon and his Inspector Maigret, and lived in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The information on Trussel's site is truly remarkable and detailed, and provides a list of all stamps ever released. So thorough is the site, that it goes beyond officially. issued stamps to also describe other reference works, as well as "Cinderella issues". Cinderalla stamps are non-postal labels that can look exactly like stamps. They are not 'postally usable', but can be created for a special purpose. Looking at Trussel's site, I browsed the Cinderalla stamps, and noticed something....

I recently obtained a copy of Susan Rice's 'A Compound Of Excelsior', which prompted me to write a blog post about beekeeping.

"For Mary Jane, It is my goal to keep the Master's memory not only green, but honey colored! Best Regards, Susan Rice, Hallowe'en '92."

Inside this wonderful book was the above inscription, indicating that Susan signed her book on October 31, 1992. Tipped into the book were two yellow cardboard sheets, as shown below. The list 1992 as the year, include perforations to tear out the four rectangles, the letters "ABS" and "LOCAL POST", with the signature of "L. Crane 1992" at the bottom.

I posted on the 'socials' to see if anyone could advise me of what they were... and didn't have any luck on what the item was for, though Scott Monty pointed out the ABS is likely 'Autumn in Baker Street'. This was an annual meeting held in .... Autumn!..... usually at Bear Mountain in NY.

The Philatelic Sherlock Homes website closes the loop - on the item and the date in the book. It is a sheet containing four Cinderella stamps! Linda Crane ASH established a 'Wigmore Street Post Office' that operated at the 1992 Autumn in Baker Street meeting - one would buy Cinderella stamps, hand the letter over, and they would be delivered to their recipient. Mystery solved! These Cinderellas never made it onto a letter.

This also explains exactly where Susan Rice signed the above copy of 'A Compound of Excelsior' - it must have been at the 1992 Autumn in Baker Street meeting !

Now if only I knew who Mary Jane was.... 

A sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of postcards

As a boy I was an enthusiastic collector of stamps. In my basement is a box of Australian 'stamp packs', 'first day covers' and other Australia Post memorabilia. While I outgrew the hobby, I still enjoy themed stamps, and have cast an occasional eye over the Sherlockian and Doylean world of philately.  I should acknowledge that this post is about stamps. I just can't get into coins (sorry Greg).

I picked up two different editions of 'Philatelic & Numismatic Holmes' by Benton Wood BSI ("A Scandal in Bohemia", 1927-2007), one from 1993 and one from 1995 (which is signed). Rev. Dr. Benton Wood was a chaplain, the chaplain of the BSI, and an ardent philatelist. 

These books are the convergence of his enthusiasm for Holmes and for stamps. It appears the first edition of this book appeared in 1990, then 1993 and 1995. The books aim to describe all stamp releases that include Sherlock Holmes, including images and some brief information about each release. The major change to the 1995 edition (apart from an update with a new stamp release) is the inclusion of color plates for each of the stamps to replace the black & white images in the 1993 edition.

As of 1993, there were surprisingly few stamp releases, and stamps are usually more affordable than books, so I decided to gather all the stamps within the books. While I'm missing a few first day covers shown in the books, I've gathered all the stamps, and those are shown here in colour over the top of the relevant images on the page. And here they all are!!

Nicaragua released the first Sherlock Holmes stamp (!!!) in 1972. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of INTERPOL, the Holmes stamps was one of twelve in a series of famous detectives. 

Next was San Marino, with a 1979 issue of stamps showing five different detectives. The next year, Comoro Islands issued a stamp for the 50th Anniversary of Arthur Conan Doyle's death. This stamp featured Holmes looking through his magnifying glass, with a small silhouette of a hound at the bottom.

Perhaps the most attractive stamps in this small catalog are the 1984 issues from Turks & Caicos. Four individual stamps were released featuring scenes from four short stories, along with a separate souvenir sheet with a stamp showing Conan Doyle. This series was released to mark the 125th Anniversary of Conan Doyle's birth.

And finally, here's an unexpected set of releases. The first is from Dominica in 1991 (top left), a souvenir sheet showing Holmes and Watson watching the Brunig Line train descend from Brunig Pass to Meiringen in Switzerland. This stamp was released to observe the "Reichenbach Centenary". Second (bottom left) is an issue from Redonda from 1984, a souvenir sheet showing Goody as Sherlock seeking out easter eggs. At right, while at the time of publishing the UK had not (remarkably) released Sherlock-themed stamps, they had produced these four beautiful stamp booklets (the stamps are inside). The art on the outside depicts scenes from two novels and two short stories.

OK so I clearly need to work on adding stamps from the 1995 edition, and seeking out other editions of Wood's wonderful booklets!


EDIT: Since posting this, I stumbled across another Benton Wood philately publication. I visited Denny Dobry today (Oct 14 2024) in Reading PA, and found an undated (but post-1984) Pleasant Places of Florida publication containing two items. The first is 'Dirty Pool', a reprint of a philatelic pastiche by Herman Herst BSI. The second is possibly the first philatelic summary by Wood titled 'Philatelic Philandering... or "Stamping Around" with Sherlock Holmes' showing 'all the Sherlockian stamps extant'.