Sherlock Holmes Scrapbook

by Peter Haining

Alternate Cover Edition ISBN 0517172488 (ISBN13: 9780517172483)

fifty years of occasional articles, newspaper cuttings, letters, memoirs, anecdotes, pictures, photographs and drawings relating to the great detective

Genres: Nonfiction, Mystery, Reference, 20th Century

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Peter Alexander Haining was an English journalist, author and anthologist who lived and worked in Suffolk. Born in Enfield, Middlesex, he began his career as a reporter in Essex and then moved to London where he worked on a trade magazine before joining the publishing house of New English Library.

Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.

In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).

He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.

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.