Some new items from Australia - 2026

I've arrived in Australia for a family visit. Every now and then, if I see something in Australia I'll order it and have it delivered to my parents in Sydney, knowing that at some point I'll be able to pick up the books when I visit (or when they visit me).

So today was an unboxing day as I arrived in Sydney - here are some of the things:

'Sherlock Holmes and Music' by Guy Warrack, 1947. I'm confident I purchased this because it's in a beautiful dust jacket. Warrack was a Scottish composer, music educator and conductor.

This is James Montgomery's 1953 Christmas Annual. On right is a magnification of the delightful illustration with a hansom cab.

Bill Barnes gifted me this wonderful pin of Sherlock on a map of Australia. Will be wearing this one with pride!

I'd been looking for this printing of the script for Jeremy Paul's 'The Secret of Sherlock Holmes' for quite a while - this edition was printed in 1996.

I hadn't seen this small pamphlet before, published by Favil Press in 1981. It contains a speech by Doyle on the origin of Sherlock Holmes, given at a Stoll Film Studios convention in New York in 1921. I assume Richard Lancelyn Green was involved in the booklets publication, as he signed this copy, dedicated to Michael Pointer (died 1998, an expert on Sherlock Holmes on stage and screen).

'The War in South Africa' published by Smith Elder was a softcover publication. This copy was bound into thick card covers. It's not in great condition, but I loved the pasted title on the cover of the cards.

'A Taste for Honey', 1943, a popular novel describing Sherlock Holmes in retirement.

 Non-Sherlockian, but I love the writings of L.T. Meade and Robert Eustace. 'The Brotherhood of the Seven Kings' was written by the team, but only Meade is listed on the cover. It also has illustrations by Sidney Paget. This early copy has been in Australia a long time - there's a gift dedication from 1909.

 This book is the script of the famous 1925 film of 'The Lost World', published in 1993.

Finally, I recently purchased some books that were owned by Doug Elliott. For me this is special - a signed copy of Basil Rathbone's memoirs. 

Beeton's Magazine in British newspapers

I while back I posted about an Australian newspaper article that referenced the existence of the 1887 Beeton's Christmas Annual in Melbourne in 1933. There is a sentence that captured my attention in that article:

The Sun,  Sunday 19 Mar 1933 
A current list of English first editions, while not quoting a price, states that the Annual is "Practically unique, and copies seldom to be found." So it may be of interest to note that the copy from which the illustration is reproduced was recently picked up for three pence on a Melbourne market stall. There are still first edition bargains available to the collector with sufficient enthusiasm — and patience— to hunt them out.

I wanted to know where the quote "Practically unique, and copies seldom to be found" came from. I assume it was from a sale catalog of that listed a Beeton's (such as Magg's Brothers), but I have not tracked it down yet.

Anyway, I wondered whether there were such examples of mentions of the 1887 Beeton's in British newspapers.

Exmouth Journal - Saturday 28 May 1892

Mr. CONAN DOYLE has certainly no reason to complain of the reception of his "Study in Scarlet," which was originally discovered by the late Mr. G. T. Bettany, MA., B.Sc., formerly literary adviser to Messrs. Ward, Lock, Bowden and Co. The MS. of the story (Mr. Conan Doyle's first, by the way), came under Mr. Bettany's notice in the ordinary course of events, but interested him so keenly that be sat up all night to finish it. Probably other people have followed his example since then, for, brought out as Beeton's Christmas Annual, it achieved an immediate success, and now, illustrated by Mr. George Hutchinson, and published in Messrs. Ward, Lock, and Co.'s. Library Series, it has already gone into a large second edition. A Tauchnitz issue has been arranged for, a German translation is just completed, while a French version is pending. Happy indeed is he who succeeds with his initial effort.

In 'The Bookseller' for 17 December 1900, among the rare books for sale is a listing that Ward, Lock & Co are selling a copy of Beeton's Christmas Annual for 1887. Or perhaps multiple copies? Did they find a box of them in the warehouse?

Bookseller - Monday 17 December 1900
WARD, LOCK & CO LTD, Salisbury Square, E.C.

Beeton's Christmas Annual, 1887, containing A Study in Scarlet, by A. Conan Doyle.

Articles in 1934 and 1935 highlight the rarity of the issue almost fifty years after publication.

Birmingham Weekly Mercury - Sunday 25 March 1934

A FEW VALUES. Have you an old junk box tucked away? You never know what money it may bring forth. An early copy of "The Times" will fetch a fabulous sum. "Bradshaw's Railway Timetable" as issued in 1839, is worth £100 a copy.

A first edition of "Treasure Island" may bring in anything up to £150, while the supplement to Beeton's Christmas Annual, issued in 1887 at a few pence, is now worth £50, for it contains "A Study in Scarlet", the first Sherlock Holmes story ever written.

Bookseller - Wednesday 16 October 1935

That this interpretation of the term "first edition," in relation to this particular problem, is usually accepted by collectors and the trade is clearly shown by the market price of the Lippincott's Magazine printing of Dorian Gray, as compared with that of the first English edition, the following year. Yet in an exactly analogous case their verdict has been for the other side. The Beeton's Annual printing of A Study in Scarlet is no more a first edition than the Lippincott's printing of Dorian Gray : but it is widely described, priced and sold as the first edition. The fact that the real first edition (1888) is almost impossibly rare may be the reason, but it is not a good reason.

      

As the 1951 London exhibition was being created, important items was sought for display. The organizers apparently could not source a Beeton's Christmas Annual, nor a Strand Magazine with the first short story - so a newspaper article put out the call. Did Adrian Conan Doyle not inherit a Beeton's from ACD? Did ACD own a copy of Beeton's?

A check of the 1951 catalog suggests that a Beeton's may not have been found - but they did exhiit a very rare second edition.

Evening News (London) - Tuesday 15 May 1951

WANTED. For inclusion in the other part of the exhibition two items are urgently sought. One is a copy of Beeton's Christmas Annual for 1887, in which the first Sherlock Holmes story, "A Study in Scarlet" appeared; the second is a separate copy of the Strand Magazine for July 1891 in which the first of the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes appeared.

What do you do if you don't have a Beeton's? Advertise in the wanted column! That's what Lord Donegall did - and it may have worked, as he certainly owned at least one copy. I can find at least three examples of this advertisement in newspapers:

Ross-shire Journal - Friday 10 April 1953

PLEASE search your attics for "Study in Scarlet", with 8 illustrations by Charles Doyle: publishers Ward and Lock (1888, paper covered unless privately bound); also Beeton's Xmas Annual 1887; "Sign of Four" Spencer, Blackett (1890, frontispiece by Charles Kerr), and Lippincott's Magazine, Feb 1890, Lord Donegall, Apply, No.41, Journal, Dingwall.

And finally, 1 1972 articles touches on Beeton's and the rarity of the 1887 issue.

Illustrated London News - Thursday 02 November 1978

At least two Beeton's Annuals made a kind of history. The issue for 1872, "The Coming K---" boldly satirized the then Prince of Wales in verse. Such was the enormous demand that copies were changing hands at a sovereign each within a month of publication. Fifteen years later (1887) Beeton published the first Sherlock Holmes story, bound up with a couple of drawing room playlets. Entitled A Study in Scarlet, this shilling booklet is now so rare that a perfect copy might sell for around 1,000 pounds. It was subsequently published again in various editions and was given away with the Windsor Magazine Christmas number, 1895.

ACD in Chicago

I'm in Chicago for a very short period of time, and had a few brief hours to take a leisurely walk. I decided to spend that time visiting two sites that Conan Doyle had frequented in Chicago.

Doyle visited the US three times - 1894, 1922 and 1923. On the second and third visits, Doyle visited Chicago and lectured there.

Where did he stay? Well, we have some window into this, and ACD wrote books about his visits.

In Our American Adventure published on 16 March 1923 (Hodder & Stoughton Ltd), Doyle covered his stay in Chapter 11. There, Doyle says that:

"Chicago is the very noisiest city I have ever known. It is a serious drawback to its amenity. All the pavements seem to rumble, all the trains whistle, the taxis hoot, the brakes grind, and the wheels scream. It has other disadvantages in that the Blackstone Hotel at which we stayed is the most expensive and least accommodating that we had met. It is meant for millionaires and we were out of the picture. Our rooms alone cost a good ten pounds a day, and the service of a meal cost as much as a meal itself would have done in England."

Chicago Tribune, Sun, May 21, 1922 ·Page 5

Chicago Tribune, Tue, May 23, 1922 ·Page 9

The Blackstone Hotel is on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Balbo Drive, across from Grant Park that sits astride Lake Michigan. The hotel was opened in 1910, and hosted many well-known guests, and Al Capone held meetings there.

While the hotel was significantly renovated in the early 2000s, it still displays a beautiful exterior and the lobby retains original features.

In the not-imaginatively titled Our Second American Adventure published on 16 15 Feb 1924 (Hodder & Stoughton Ltd), Doyle covered his stay in Chapter 3. Doyle mentions that he was staying at 'the Auditorium which was our tryst in Chicago'.

The Auditorium Building housed a hotel, office space... and an auditorium. It was completed in 1889, and it still stands today. Since 1947, the Auditorium Building has been part of Roosevelt University - it is a National Historic Landmark and still standing. I entered, and explained to the security guard that "this used to be a hotel" and she let me take a few photos.

These two hotels were about two blocks apart, so Doyle had a local stomping ground in Chicago in the 1920s. 

I like to see spaces and know someone like ACD walked there too, had a drink there too... and did things I wouldn't like a seance.

I'll try and identify a few more locations such as those where he gave his lectures.

George Budd's bride

I've written about George Budd in Plymouth, and I've written about what became of his family after his death. I've even drafted an article on rugby in Doyle's world that touches on the Budd family - that will take a while to appear.

There is one other point of intrigue for me. In Doyle's 'Memories and Adventures', he wrote:

When I met him first he had just indulged in one of his wild escapades, which ended usually in a fight or in a transitory appearance in a police court, but on this occasion was more serious and permanent. He had run off with a charming young lady and married her, she being a ward in Chancery and under age. However, the deed was done and all the lawyers in the world could not undo it, though they might punish the culprit. He told me how he and the lady had gone over a Bradshaw with the intention that when they came on a station of which neither of them had ever heard, they would make for that place and spend their honeymoon there. They came therefore upon some awful name, Clodpole-in-the-Marsh or something of the kind, and there they sojourned in the village inn. Cullingworth stained his yellow hair black, but the stain took in some places and not in others, so that he looked as if he had escaped from Barnum’s show. What Clodpole-in-the-Marsh could have thought of such an extraordinary couple I cannot imagine, and it is probably the one occasion on which it ever buzzed. I cannot think of any surer way of getting publicity than that which Cullingworth took to avoid detection. In London they would have been perfectly unobserved. I remember that for years Cullingworth’s hair presented curious iridescent tints which were the remains of his disguise.

He brought his bride safely to Edinburgh, where they hired a flat and lived in it without furnishing it save for the absolutely needful. I have dined with them there on an apple dumpling, seated on a pile of thick volumes as there was no chair. We introduced them to a few friends, did what we could for the lonely lady, and finally they drifted off, and for a time we heard no more.

OK. So as a reminder Doyle changed Budd's name to Cullingworth (for the Stark Munro letters) so there was still some sensitivity.

Let's look at George Budd's bride Kate. Doyle says that 'He had run off with a charming young lady and married her, she being a ward in Chancery and under age' and further that 'he brought his bride safely to Edinburgh' indicating this was not an Edinburgh marriage. Where was she from, how old was she, and why was she a ward in Chancery?

Side-bar: what is a ward in Chancery? A ward in chancery is a historical English legal term for a minor or an incapacitated person whose care, property, and legal affairs are placed under the direct protection and supervision of a Court of Chancery. The court essentially acts as a guardian, making major life decisions on their behalf.

The UK BDM indexes reveal that Arthur Budd married Kate Russell in 1879 in London. Here is their marriage certificate:

Quarter: Sep 1879, District: Strand, Volume: 1b, Page: 1023

1879 Marriage solemnized at the Registrar Office in the District of Strand in the County of Middlesex. No. 78.

When married: Twenty first September 1879

Groom name and surname: George Budd, age 24 years

Condition: Bachelor

Rank or profession: Civil engineer

Residence at time of marriage: 11 Craven street, Strand

Father's name and surname: William Budd, Doctor of Medicine

Bride name and surname: Kate Russell, age 18 years

Condition: Spinster

Rank or profession: -

Residence at time of marriage: 12 Percy Villas, Norwood

Father's name and surname: Gustavus Russell (deceased), Major in Her Majesty's Army

In the presence of: Anthony Hart, Chas Cooke 

While this may have been presented as a fly-by-night operation, George certainly did not mis-represent himself. One point of confusion is that Budd is listed as an engineer. It certainly explains his interest in patenting that is seen in his later activities, but he clearly moved across to medicine quickly afterwards.

Now that we know something of Kate, we can learn after some diffing into the records that in the 1871 census the Russell family was living at the Priory, Heene, Sussex, with birthplaces reinforcing the life of a British colonial military man whose family travelled with him:

John G Russell, 50, Retired Officer of the Army, born France

Caroline A Russell, wife, 37, born London

Louisa A Russell, daughter, 15, born East Indies (twin)

Caroline E Russell, daughter, 15, born East Indies (twin)

Kate Russell, daughter, 9, Scholar, born Surrey

Some searching reveals that John Gustavus Russell served in the Madras Army (Indian Army), that he was indeed born in France. He clearly maintained connections to France, as it took a lot of searching to find he died in France in 1877, as shown in the UK Probate Calendar (estate valued at less than 100 pounds).

With the passing of 'Gustavus' (John G) we learn in the 1881 census that the widowed Caroline is living at 12 Percy Villas on Woodland Rd in Norwood - just as stated in Kate's 1879 marriage certificate! Along with Caroline is her daughter Louisa, aged 25, and a servant.

Caroline A Russell, 47, receiving pension as Officer's widow

Lousa, daughter, 25, unmarred

The residence suggests a fairly modest living. Kate was honest in the information she provided, right down to where she lived with her mother and sister. So perhaps Kate was not a ward in Chancery - perhaps she needed permission to marry and this wasn't received by her mother?

Let's look at Kate's birth to determine her age. Kate was baptized at St John's Church, Egham, Surrey in 1861.

Baptisms solemnized in the Parish of Egham in the County of Surrey in the year 1861.
Baptized Jan 29, Kate 

Parents John Gustavus and Caroline Augusta Russell

Father's occupation: Major in the Army 

I cannot find a civil registration for Kate Russell, but if we assume she was born in January 1861, then in September 1879 Kate was indeed 18. 

The age of consent for marriage was 21. In England in 1879, an 18-year-old woman was still considered a minor for marriage purposes, so parental or guardian consent was generally required for a lawful marriage by licence or after banns. Perhaps Kate married without consent of her mother - the marriage certificate does not mention consent, but the registrar performed the marriage. Perhaps papers were forged - if there was opposition, then it's definitely the case that elopements were almost impossible to reverse. Making the dash for Edinburgh does support the notion that the marriage was not approved by Kate's family.

--------

Is there any literary influence in this story?

Well, of course we have Stark Munro letters.

Looking a little deeper, there is one location that appears in a later story. In the last chapter of Hound of the Baskervilles, when Holmes is giving background on the Stapletons.

“It is possible that Stapleton did not know of the existence of an heir in Canada. In any case he would very soon learn it from his friend Dr. Mortimer, and he was told by the latter all details about the arrival of Henry Baskerville. Stapleton's first idea was that this young stranger from Canada might possibly be done to death in London without coming down to Devonshire at all. He distrusted his wife ever since she had refused to help him in laying a trap for the old man, and he dared not leave her long out of his sight for fear he should lose his influence over her. It was for this reason that he took her to London with him. They lodged, I find, at the Mexborough Private Hotel, in Craven Street, which was actually one of those called upon by my agent in search of evidence. Here he kept his wife imprisoned in her room while he, disguised in a beard, followed Dr. Mortimer to Baker Street and afterwards to the station and to the Northumberland Hotel. His wife had some inkling of his plans; but she had such a fear of her husband—a fear founded upon brutal ill-treatment—that she dare not write to warn the man whom she knew to be in danger."

It may just be a coincidence of course.... after all Craven Street is in the Strand area, but I like the fact that George Budd sprung Kate Russell and made a break for it - the opposite of Jack Stapleton's imprisonment of his wife.

Watson's Tin Box meeting summary - May 18, 2026

On the third Monday of each month, the Watson's Tin Box of Ellicott City scion meets at Union Jack's in Columbia MD and we gathered on May 18 for another great gathering of members - 20 in total. As always I took a census of where people were attending from, and Columbia and Frederick MD were tied.

We welcomed a new first-time visitor - Breier Scheetz - who found us through www.sherlockiancalendar.com where most meetings are listed around the country.

The story of the meeting was 'The Sussex Vampire'.... but we always start with toasts. 

Karen Wilson provided a toast to 'The Woman' - a sing-along toast! Karen originally wrote this toast for a COVID-era Zoom meeting of WTB, but didn't manage to get the sing-along part working - but in person five years later it worked a treat! Karen sang the verse, and the whole group joined in for the bolded choruses:

“Good Night, Irene (Adler)”

Karen Wilson

Irene, goodnight--; Irene, goodnight.

Goodnight, Irene; Goodnight, Irene

I'll see you in my dreams

You were a great prima donna

Crowds paid to hear you sing

Your career might have gone even longer

If you had not met the King

His promises they were empty

Good thing you retained souvenirs

His henchmen attempted to steal them

It ended -- for them  -- in tears

All right, Irene--; All right, Irene

I'm sure Wilhelm's men won't try again

And you would have made a fine queen

You married in the morning

To Godfrey Norton, Esquire

By afternoon, old Sherlock

Tried to set your house on fire

Not right, Irene--; Not right, Irene

But I'm sure you will win round two

And thwart the detective's scheme

Imagine Holmes's reaction

The photo all gone; just your note

I'll bet he blushed to learn you were

The slim youth in the coat!

You say that you're leaving England

For Continental parts

Let's hope they don't try to track you

By a trail of broken hearts

Let's toast Irene--; Let's toast Irene

To this fine lass we lift a glass

To our Irene, a toast!

Liane Luini again dug into the archives and produced a toast to 'A Certain Gracious Lady', originally written by Virginia Sherlockian Emily S. Whitten and delivered at the Gaslight Gala, New York, January 11, 2019. The toast was deposited at Ross Davies' Sherlockian Toasts database:

Her influence stretched from East to West;
From moral code to mode of dress.
Her reign was vast and long remembered;
Her image on each farthing tendered.
But in the annals of Watson’s tales,
What we’ll recall, without fail,
Are initials shot into the wall
By Holmes when struck by boredom’s pall!
So pour yourself the finest drink,
And raise a glass – prepared to clink,
When sun is over oak and shadow under elm,
To Victoria Regina, forever queen of Sherlock’s realm!

Tom Fahres then delivered his traditional Haiku for the story - this month for Sussex Vampire:

A spoiler alert!
Woman with hot tropic blood.
Story’s red herring.

Next came Announcements

• Liane Luini reminded everyone that copies of Irene's Cabinet are selling for $10 - and we mail ! Just email Liane for details.
• Each month, WTB will be presenting the contents of the Evidence Boxes at the Crew of the Barque Lone Star (Texas) scion meetings - on zoom. Lauren Cercone has also announced a new scion - the Tidewaiters of Delaware, and we'll be taking the Evidence Box to their first meeting as a treat.
• David Burke died on the 10th of May. He was the first John Watson in the Granada series, appearing in 13 episodes before stepping away from the show. With David's passing, the most prominent actor from the series who remains with us is probably Colin Jeavins - who approaches 100 years of age.
• Nea Dodson let members know that people can follow the events of Bram Stoker's Dracula in real-time at draculadaily.substack.com . The unabridged text will be emailed (if you subscribe) or posted on the day that the even happens. It started on May 3, and runs to November.
• The next Red Circle of Washington DC will be held on June 27, with Bradley Harper speaking on the topic "Sherlock Holmes as Science Fiction". Details atht website here.
• Brent Morris made the beautiful gesture of bringing a large amount of tea that belonged to Jacquelynn Bost-Morris, and invited members to take some home, and think of Jacquelynn whenever we sipped our tea. Jacquelynn loved tea, and also was an enthusiastic member of the Tea-Brokers of Mincing Lane scion.

We examined the evidence box for The Sussex Vampire with Debbie Clarke presenting. Here are some examples of the evidence.

Brent's gesture was well-timed, as the Tea-brokers of Mincing Lane appear in this very story.

Pictured are 2 photographs of young Jacky, one with Carlo, both with a cane/crutch at his side. Shown at right are notes from Sherlock's notebook stating evidence from the case.

Pictured is a pub mat from The Chequers, the inn which Holmes andWatson stayed in Lamberley, and the receipt from their stay.

The crowd favorite was probably the dart was used by Little Jacky to poison his step-brother. Unfortunately, there was no container of curare that the dart was probably dipped into. This was one of the  South American weapons displayed on wall at Cheeseman’s.

Then we of course discussed the story. This was a favorite for a few of our members, for good reason, and this led to a wonderful discussion, and a side-discussion on influences such as Dracula. The story first appeared in 1924, and has been adapted several times. There was wide agreement that the Granada adaptation was appalling, and recommendations were made for the Japanese 'Miss Sherlock' version (Season 1, Episode 4) as being excellent.

The story has a classic opening - a referral letter from lawyers who don't normally deal in Vampiric business, followed by a letter from Big Bob Ferguson of Cheeseman, who shares his ordeal. The story takes a while to get from case introduction to 'action'. We discussed the poor dog Jack experimented on, and the poor baby. But we mainly discussed Doyle's favorite strategy of the foreigner as the distracting Red Herring at the center of the story. How does a tea-broker meet a Peruvian? And why was the nurse so willing to hide to truth of what was happening in exchange for a fiver?

There was also robust debate on what should have happened to Jack once he was found out? A year at sea to sweep the family embarrassment under the carpet was generally agreed to be a terrible solution. Shouldn't he be locked up in an asylum or the juvenile equivalent? Perhaps that was not the solution Doyle would go for given his family history. And Sherlock stories love to send a problematic Briton across the seas to avoid scandal.

As for influence - beyond literary influences like Dracula, Nosferatu had been released in 1922, and the story elements were right in line with popular culture at the time. It turns out Nosferatu didn't screen in England till 1928 as Stoker's widow blocked it on copyright grounds.

For this evening, I wore a Blackheath Rugby Club throwback jersey, using a 1870s design and a wonderful collar. It is in 'Sussex Vampire' that we learn that Watson played rugby, and what his team was - the letter to Holmes seeking help ends: "P. S. I believe your friend Watson played Rugby for Blackheath when I was three-quarter for Richmond. It is the only personal introduction which I can give."

Grant Heller was our presenter for the evening. Grant was raised in the Midwest, and has lived in MD for 40 years. At various times he has worked as a farmhand, a carpenter, a sailor, a nuclear reactor operator, a radio engineer, and for the last quarter of a century, a comms security engineer. Grant's interest in the Canon has extended over fifty years, and his first Sherlockian activity was joining the Six Napoleons in the 1980s.

Grant's talk was titled "Of Submersibles and Subterfuge" provided an amazing overview of the history of submarines, and the likely scandal in the story 'Bruce-Partington Plans'. Grant began by providing us with a recap of the story as a take-home flier. 

Grant walked us through the early history of submarines, their design, where they were being constructed, and which countries had submarines (and which didn't!). Grant's deep historical research allowed him to pin-point the true nature of the 'plans' described in the story. As always, I don't provide details summaries of talks that aren't published - and I'm confident there's a Sherlockian article in development by Grant! Or you know.... your scion could invite Grant to give a talk!

 

And finally, the quiz! Olivia Millunzi created another great quiz for us - I am TERRIBLE at noting who won the quiz. 

The prize was a wonderful t-shirt design created by the always-productive Michelle March - two very clever ones: