The Sherlock Holmes Scrapbook

by peter-haining-editorial-consultant-g-ken-chapman-foreword-by-peter-cushing

Since the day an impoverished Southsea doctor named Arthur Conan Doyle first put pen to paper and created Sherlock Holmes, the congenial detective has become acclaimed as one of the legendary figures in world literature.

Read from one side of the world to the other for nearly one hundred years, Holmes has attracted more detailed study and inquiry than perhaps any other single character in fiction and has also raised a band of enthusiasts whose numbers now run into millions.

Over the past century, the “Great Detective”, as he is popularly known, has been the subject of countless articles, newspaper reports, memoirs, letters to the press, and illustrations—not to mention libraries of books. These reflect not only the man, his cases, and his faithful assistant Dr. Watson, but also the people to whom he is not just a fictitious character—but a criminal investigator to be analyzed, explained, and compared. A far-ranging collection of such diverse material has been brought together in a unique souvenir of the making of a legend. Herein the reader will find some of the best, the most illuminating and frequently most amusing items to appear about the famous detective partnership.

The contributors include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, his wife, Lady Conan Doyle, Dorothy L. Sayers, Frank Swinnerton, Edmund Pearson, Wyndham Lewis, Irving Wallace, Ronald Knox, and Christopher Morley.

The book will prove a delight to Sherlockian and general reader alike, mirroring as it does one of the most extraordinary literary phenomena of all time.

(Publisher’s description)

Genres: Nonfiction, Mystery, Reference, 20th Century

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Tim Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A scrapbook indeed: many kinds of item from many different sources. And of course some of the items are much better than others.

[Oliver Baer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for any fan of Sherlock Holmes. It contains a range of Holmes memorabilia from magazine ads to theatrical promotions. Besides some informational text, many of the newspaper clippings form a bit of a narrative that provides a historical referent for the surroundings photos or ads. A nice touch is the newspaper clippings that pertain to local news, such as when a local man wins a lottery and happens to be named Sherlock Holmes. This is elementary for any worshipper of the Canon.

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collection of fannish and pop-cultural miscellanea from the 1890s to the 1970s. Press ads, appreciations, a piece by Doyle, an excellent early pastiche, cartoons, rare stills and all manner of engaging trivia. It's also an interesting look at how fandom operated before the internet.

[R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember...

Getting this book on a Saturday morning in mid 80s at a library book sale, after a morning, a gray day it was, of watching Pee-Wee's Playhouse

[I.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of articles and random ephemera from the glory days of Holmes. Some better than others, but it’s interesting to see the early fandom stuff and letters written to the papers. Probably only if worth to super fans though.

[C.O. Bonham · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of Sherlockia. This book is full of Newspaper and magazine items related to the fictional character Sherlock Holmes. Most of the items are letters to editors signed in the name of characters from the Holmes stories. Also included are rare reviews of many out of production Sherlock Holmes Plays, and an article about all of the actors that have portrayed The great Detective over the years up to about 1970. Also found within these pages is a Sherlock Holmes story by: Ronald Knox, that is rarely seen in print.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of awesome tidbits for Sherlockian newcomers, experts, and everyone in between.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection of memorabilia and stories.

[Dan Blackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about the detective. Has a great intro by Peter Cushing.

[Eve Markley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a collection of extra-canonical material relating to Sherlock Holmes. Since the book was published in 1974, the material is dated. It pre-dates Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Downey Jr, and even Jeremy Brett as Sherlock. There are lots of newspaper articles and good pictures, but there seems to be no system to the entries; they’re just kind of thrown in there in no apparent order. There is no index, so if you you want to look back for something of interest, you just have to try to remember where it was.

Still, there’s a sense of fun that comes through, as if you’re a member of a fan club. I would recommend reading it, but not owning it.

[Ronald Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally like a scrapbook. Gaining has collected a series of newspaper articles or ads and pictures from the late 1800's through the early 1970's that were about or featured Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. Interesting to see ways SH influenced its time period but could be repetitive at times

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book on Sherlockiana- that's all I have to say. If you are a fan of Holmesian literature, than you might want to read this book!!

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated but an interesting collection of Theater productions, TV episodes, Movies and Fan clubs world wide.

[Gus Scholtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are great and the pictures bery good. The writing kept my interest. A fun book to have and refer to again and again.