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Holmes and Conan Doyle: Decamped South

Holmes and Conan Doyle: Decamped South" Holmes' new address, Bolt Cottage, fit his needs precisely, but it was no place for a visitor, perhaps purposely so."*

Windlesham Manor, Arthur Conan Doyle’s last home. He was buried in the garden until removed to a family vault in 1935. (Google maps) From 1909 until his death in 1930, Conan Doyle lived and wrote (75km/50m from London) at Windlesham Manor, a home he built himself in Crowborough, East Sussex. Rather ironically, Windlesham is now an assisted living home.

MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERADetective…

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Holmes Enters Rehab

Holmes Enters Rehab: As WWI ends, cocaine becomes illegal in England and the aged, still addicted and depressed Sherlock Holmes submits entry papers at a rundown psychiatric clinic on the Normandy coast.

-an excerpt from his initial interview in “Sherlock Holmes and the Remaining Improbable*

“M. Holmes recounts that most childish inconveniences, including toothache, temper, rowdiness, diarrhoea, constipation–and especially inability to sleep when nursery maid’s follower (that’s boyfriend) was available–were treated with an array of the most popular children’s remedies, usually tinctured with…

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221B Baker Street: Holmes' Phantom Address

221B Baker Street: Holmes’ Phantom Address

… and the museum vs. the bank.

In London in the Nineteenth Century, author Jerry White refers to John Fisher Murray’s 1844 designations for “old London neighborhoods.* Baker Street is categorized as neither exclusive, ultra-fashionable nor fashionable, but “genteel.” Madame Tussaud’s Wax Works was housed there, in addition to shops, pubs, restaurants and “mansion blocks,” i.e. apartment…

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How Holmes Paid Irregulars

How Holmes Paid Irregulars

~ a SHILLING a day and a bonus Guinea for extra “high value” information Photo by Faisal Rahman on Pexels.com “They go everywhere and they hear everything,” Holmes says of the Irregulars in A Study in Scarlet, 1887. “They are sharp as needles, too; all they want is organization.” The Irregulars play a crucial role in three cases, aided greatly by the fact that homeless children…

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Holmes Sneered. "Pink Pills for Pale People?"

Holmes Sneered. “Pink Pills for Pale People?”

He pointed to a newer looking broadsheet posted to a wall. Pall Mall Gazette, December 1893 “Watson, I believe you’ve described me as ‘pale’ in at least one of your melodramatic distortions of my cases. Would you recommend Dr. Williams’ concoctions?” “Not if Dr. Williams paid me.You expose yourself to enough vile poison by means of that needle of yours without my cooperation.” P…

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Holmes laughed. "Fifty six years ago, the Queen made a deduction regarding her husband's hair, Watson."

Holmes laughed. “Fifty six years ago, the Queen made a deduction regarding her husband’s hair, Watson.”

Queen Victoria’s husband, Albert Francis Wettin (1819-1861) He slid the latest Pall Mall Gazette across the breakfast table. “Read it yourself, old man. Just there, below the photograph of the bracelet.” I found the article.

“After the Prince Consort’s death, Her Majesty had some of his hair made into a bracelet.* Now the Queen stipulated that there were to be no joinings, but this was…

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A Woman's Handwriting? Is there such a thing? Holmes and Lestrade Argue.

Holmes and Lestrade Argue: A Woman's Handwriting? Is there such a thing?

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Holmes smiled thinly at Lestrade, and set aside the lavender-scented letter with it’s swooping, swirling message. He said, “Come now, Inspector. Think. I’ll grant you it reads like blackmail, but you have no reason to put it down to a woman. You know as well as I do. One can do wonders with other people’s expectations.”

Pall Mall Gazette Advertisement,…

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You're a Consulting Detective, Mr. Holmes? Other Peculiar Occupations c. 1897

Never thought I'd enjoy this part of the book promotion this much!

The Black Eye Artist

“I suppose I’m the only one,” says Holmes of his occupation, but his was not the only curious occupation at the time. Here are three other instances as identified by Balliol Bruce in a Feb., 1897 Pall Mall Gazette article on the topic.

The photo above shows Mr. W. Clarkson, a black eye artist of seventeen years experience. Tools include greasepaint of two hues,…

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You're a Consulting Detective, Mr. Holmes? Other Peculiar Occupations c. 1897

You’re a Consulting Detective, Mr. Holmes? Other Peculiar Occupations c. 1897

The Black Eye Artist

“I suppose I’m the only one,” says Holmes of his occupation, but his was not the only curious occupation at the time. Here are three other instances as identified by Balliol Bruce in a Feb., 1897 Pall Mall Gazette article on the topic.

The photo above shows Mr. W. Clarkson, a black eye artist of seventeen years experience. Tools include greasepaint of two hues,…

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Holmes, One in 4.7 Million

Holmes, One in 4.7 Million

https://youtu.be/MJeNG1R7FzM 1780 – London Population 750,000 1801 – London Population 1.1 M 1881 – London Population 4.7 Million when Holmes and Watson take 221b 1896 – London Population 6.7 Million during The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans, wherein secret submarine blueprints are found in a murdered…

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Watson, Harlene User?

Restores hair to Original Color! Not a Dye! Prevents Hair Turning Grey or “Falling Off!” Produces Luxuriant Whiskers and Mustaches!

The London Ilustrated News, December 1895

“I dressed, shaved, fussed to no avail with my remaining hair, and made my final preparations for the two-hour journey to Eastbourne…. I had reduced my office hours in the past two years and watched as…

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"Diggings" in Baker Street, Watson smokes, too--and the landlady's mourning jewelry brings back a macabre memory

“Diggings” in Baker Street, Watson smokes, too–and the landlady’s mourning jewelry brings back a macabre memory

“By Jove! If he really wants someone to share the rooms and expense, I am the very man for him.” J. Watson, M.D. In 1881, Holmes and Watson move in to 221b. Holmes is 27; Watson 29 years old.

“Holmes was delighted. ‘I have my eye on a suite in Baker Street,‘ he said. … You don’t mind the smell of strong tobacco, I hope?’

‘I always smoke ‘ship’s’ myself,”Watson…

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"Diggings" in Baker Street, Watson smokes, too--and the landlady's mourning jewelry brings back a macabre memory

“Diggings” in Baker Street, Watson smokes, too–and the landlady’s mourning jewelry brings back a macabre memory

“By Jove! If he really wants someone to share the rooms and expense, I am the very man for him.” J. Watson, M.D. In 1881, Holmes and Watson move in to 221b. Holmes is 27; Watson 29 years old.

“Holmes was delighted. ‘I have my eye on a suite in Baker Street,‘ he said. … You don’t mind the smell of strong tobacco, I hope?’

‘I always smoke ‘ship’s’ myself,”Watson…

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"Diggings" in Baker Street, Watson smokes, too--and the landlady's mourning jewelry brings back a macabre memory

“Diggings” in Baker Street, Watson smokes, too–and the landlady’s mourning jewelry brings back a macabre memory

“By Jove! If he really wants someone to share the rooms and expense, I am the very man for him.” J. Watson, M.D. In 1881, Holmes and Watson move in to 221b. Holmes is 27; Watson 29 years old.

“Holmes was delighted. ‘I have my eye on a suite in Baker Street,‘ he said. … You don’t mind the smell of strong tobacco, I hope?’

‘I always smoke ‘ship’s’ myself,”Watson…

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221B's Mourning Landlady

221B’s Mourning Landlady

DIGGINGS IN BAKER STREET Holmes and Watson move in to 221b. Mrs. Hudson’s mourning pin noted.

“Holmes was delighted. ‘I have my eye on a suite in Baker Street,‘ he said. … You don’t mind the smell of strong tobacco, I hope?’

‘I always smoke ‘ship’s’ myself,”Watson answered.

‘That’s good enough. I generally have chemicals about, and occasionally, do experiments.…

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Holmes' 1895 Newspaper...... If Electricity Prevents Cholera and Restores Health (at once!) ...

Holmes’ 1895 Newspaper…… If Electricity Prevents Cholera and Restores Health (at once!) …

Advertisement London Illustrated New December 1895

… then why couldn’t the Society for Psychical Research, with members such as Sir Oliver Lodge, writers Jane Barlow and Arthur Conan Doyle, MP Arthur Balfour, and William James, introduce you to your long ago buried great, great grandmother? After all, this was a scientific breakthrough and these late Victorians thought of themselves as…

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Holmes' 1895 newspaper: a nutritious tea

Mrs. Hudson’s first thought when she observed Holmes’ ghastly deterioration in “The Dying Detective,” was to summon Watson. Her second thought was Bovril. Bovril was invented to feed French troops in 1886. A like recipe, Oxo, was a popular addition to WWI rations and a sponsor on the 1908 London Olympics.

According the to modern day Epicurious site:

“It’s a dish that goes back in time to…