I have written about the 'Dancing Miners' of Lakeside (part of the Boulder/Kalgoorlie):
- about the photograph of the LAKESIDE 'miners' and its photographer, which can be read here
- finding an original photograph in Switzerland, and confirming the 'Lakeside Official Staff' in the photo: which can be read here
The Dancing Miners photograph was taken in early 1904 after the story appeared in the January 1904 Strand (December 1903 in the UK). I wanted to look at evidence for Sherlock Holmes around this goldfield city in 1903/1904. Were these miners able to access the Strand Magazine easily? Does newspapers in the area give us a clue to whether Sherlock's popularity entered the local cultural scene?
Yes, it's a deep dive....
Where could you buy the Strand Magazine in the area? In January 1903 an aricle describes Orr's Emporium in Boulder selling magazines, including Strand Magazine.
The Evening Star (Boulder, WA )
Tue 10 Feb 1903
Tue 10 Feb 1903
NEW MAGAZINES
By yesterday's mail a number of new magazines arrived at Orr's Emporium.
By yesterday's mail a number of new magazines arrived at Orr's Emporium.
"The Adventures of Etienne Gerard" are continued in 'The "Strand" magazine
as are the stories of the "Sorceress of the Strand." Special articles include one of great interest to footballers on the illegalities of the game, an interesting disclosure of magical illusions and fifty years of the Lyceum Theatre. The illustrated interview this month, is a particularly interesting one, the subject being Mr. F. C. Gould, whose cartoons will teach history to future generations.
as are the stories of the "Sorceress of the Strand." Special articles include one of great interest to footballers on the illegalities of the game, an interesting disclosure of magical illusions and fifty years of the Lyceum Theatre. The illustrated interview this month, is a particularly interesting one, the subject being Mr. F. C. Gould, whose cartoons will teach history to future generations.
Henry Grose himself took photographs for Orr's Emporium for a publication. The Emporium stands today and there are lots of photographs so we know exactly what it looked like:
Orr's Emporium, Boulder, offering newspapers and magazines
The Dancing Men appeared in the UK December 1903 edition, and Robert Veld's work shows that Australian editions appeared one month later. Nevertheless we see the Christmas issue (that contained Dancing Men) described right at the start of 1904 in Kalgoorlie:
The Kalgoorlie Miner
Fri 1 Jan 1904
Fri 1 Jan 1904
CHRISTMAS 'MAGAZINES.
Always possessed ' of features that command popularity the ''Strand Magazine" comes in a particularly acceptable form for its 1903 'Christmas double' number. From the admirably colored front cover to the pretty Pears' soap picture on the back cover , the bulky number is full of good things in fiction, narrative and picture, and holiday needs are specially met by sets of clever original puzzles. In the fiction
department Sherlock Holmes reappears and amazes as of yore.
department Sherlock Holmes reappears and amazes as of yore.
The Christmas edition with the Dancing Men story was available at Orr's Emporiu in January 1904:
The Evening Star
Sat 9 Jan 1904
The Christmas numbers of English magazines now, at Orr's, Burt-street, are
of the usual popular standard, and those desirous of securing copies should not delay, for there appears to be a rapid run on them. The "Strand" has for
its special feature another exploit of Sherlock Holmes, for which, by the way,
an American magazine is paying something like four shillings a word. There is plenty of fiction and special articles, but the advertisement competition now procceding in connection with this magazine makes the proportion of business
notices appear too large. Pearson's Xmas effort is a most attractive number. There is some beautiful colored printing and illustrations, some of them of value by reason of their topical nature. The number is decidedly the best special number that has yet appeared.
of the usual popular standard, and those desirous of securing copies should not delay, for there appears to be a rapid run on them. The "Strand" has for
its special feature another exploit of Sherlock Holmes, for which, by the way,
an American magazine is paying something like four shillings a word. There is plenty of fiction and special articles, but the advertisement competition now procceding in connection with this magazine makes the proportion of business
notices appear too large. Pearson's Xmas effort is a most attractive number. There is some beautiful colored printing and illustrations, some of them of value by reason of their topical nature. The number is decidedly the best special number that has yet appeared.
Along with access to the Strand, there was entertainment. In October 1903, Kalgoorlie hosted William Gillette's spectacular play "Sherlock Holmes". The American actor Cuyler Hastings playing a Sherlock Holmes in the Australian desert is a remarkable thought. The play was of course well-received.
The Kalgoorlie Miner
Mon 19 Oct 1903
The Kalgoorlie Miner
Tue 20 Oct 1903
Under the direction of Mr. J. C. Williamson. Business Manager, Richard Stewart: Touring Manager, J. Farrell.
THE 'SHERLOCK HOLMES'' BOOM.
Brilliant and Emphatic Success of the Clever Young American Actor, MR. CUYLER, HASTINGS, In his 'Masterly interpretation of the Great Detective, Supported by the Full Strength of MR. J. C. WILLIAMSON'S 'SHERLOCK HOLMES' COMPANY.
The Management is delighted to record that a Magnificent Triumph was achieved last evening, when the most successful of all dramas, William Gillette's sensational success,
'SHERLOCK HOLMES '
was presented for the first time before a crowded and delighted audience, who watched this remarkable majestic play with the greatest enthusiasm. The universal opinion : '-The greatest dramatic treat ever witnessed in Kalgoorlie.' Still, in order to carry out the original arrangements of presenting the company's complete repertoire, the management reluctantly announce— The Last Night But One ! The Last Night But One of Mr. Cuyler Hastings as the Great Defective.
The Evening Star (Boulder, WA)
Sat 17 Oct 1903
Sat 17 Oct 1903
AMUSEMENTS.
"SHERLOCK HOLMES"
Everything is now in readiness for the opening of Mr. J. Williamson's dramatic season in Her Majesy's Theartre, Kalgoorlie, on Monday next. The piece selected for the first night is William Gillette's famous detective drama "Sherlock Holmes," in which Mr. Hastings, who has been lauded by the press, takes the leading part. The season, is strictly limited to 12 nights, and gives evidence of being a great success. During their short stay the company will appear in six of the leading dramas produced during recent years. The box plan for Sherlock Holmes is now open at Nicholson's and at Hocking and Co.'s Boulder City. Tickets for other parts of the house may be obtained at A. Bressler's, tobacconist, Harmon-street.
The North Coolgardie Herald and Miners Daily News
Sat 31 Oct 1903
THE KALGOORLIE SEASON.
KALGOORLIE, October 30.
The Williamson Dramatic Company's season in Kalgoorlie has been a splendid success. Playgoers have been delighted with each successive production, and the company is undoubtedly one of the best that Mr. Williamson has ever got together. The repertoire is such as gives extraordinary scope to all the leading artists. Mr. Cuyler Hastings' interpretation of Gillette's great creation, "Sherlock Holmes," stamps him immediately as one of the finest actors Australia has seen. His performance is in every way a memorable one As Louis Dumont in "Secret Service," John Storm in "The Christian" and Claude Melnotte in "The Lady of Lyons," he has fully mainlained the high opinion created by his acting in the initial production.
So, in this tiny city in the desert, these miners had the same Sherlock entertainment and reading as London. Granted, on a smaller scale, but the Dancing Miners photograph was probably taken four months after the play, and the Strand Magazine was hitting the shelves of Orr's Emporium shortly after readers in England could access it.
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