Podcast appearances and mentions of vincent starrett

“I wanted to speak with Mr. Smith” [SIGN]     This is the third in our series on Legends of the Baker Street Journal; we've previously explored publisher Ben Abramson (Episode 269) and BSI founder Christopher Morley (Episode 272). This time, we'll be looking at wordsmith and able administrator, Edgar W. Smith. It was Smith who deftly managed the operations of the Baker Street Irregulars and whose own interest in Sherlockian scholarship (his own and others) caused him to promote books and eventually found The Baker Street Journal. We follow Edgar's Sherlockian journey from his early correspondence with Vincent Starrett and Christopher Morley, to the 1940 dinner that brought the BSI roaring back to life, the Trilogy Dinner where three significant Sherlockian books were launched, the founding of the BSJ, and the addition of the Christmas Annual tradition. We have Sherlockian news, a special announcement, and of course the Canonical Couplet quiz. We thought last episode's was easy, but it looks like we tripped some people up. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive one of the Old Series BSJs from the 1940s. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by May 29, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. All listeners are eligible to play. If you become a  of the show, not only will you help to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and transcription services, but we have thank-you gifts at certain tiers and ad-free versions of the episodes for all patrons.       Sponsors  regularly issues a Thank Holmes It's Friday newsletter, filled with first-to-know information and discounts for regular subscribers. Sign up today.   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!   Links News stories: , edited by Roger Luckhurst   Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at .     And would you consider leaving us a rating and review? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.  

“There was no other boarder” [VALL]     The third episode of every month in Season 8 finds us revisiting familiar ground: episodes under the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes the Theorist" category, as we revisit old Sherlockian scholarship.   This episode brings us to an overlooked chapter of a familiar book. It's James Keddie's "The Other Boarder" from Vincent Starrett's 221B: Studies in Sherlock Holmes, in which he brings in a surprising discovery from "Behind the Times." And it's just a Trifle.    If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies.   All of our Patreon supporters are eligible for our monthly drawings for Baker Street Journals and certain tiers receive thank you gifts. Join our community today.   Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show.    Links / Notes 221B: Studies in Sherlock Holmes by Vincent Starrett "Behind the Times" from Round the Red Lamp by Arthur Conan Doyle Other episodes mentioned: Episode 139: Music in the Canon, Part 1 Episode 140: Music in the Canon, Part 2 Episode 164: Was Sherlock Holmes an American? Episode 359: Dr. Watson's Secret All of our social links: linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock Email us at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com Join our community on Patreon and become eligible for our regular giveaways.   Sponsor We are open to sponsorship. Please get in touch with us at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com.    Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0        

“my strange old book-collector” [EMPT]  Ben Abramson with Vincent Starrett at a signing event for ‘Books Alive' Circa 1940. Location Unknown / Photographer Unknown (Source: )   There are some Sherlockians we wish we could have interviewed for this program — individuals long gone but fondly remembered — whose unique perspectives would be a boon to our listeners. Unfortunately, most of them are beyond our reach. In this case however, we have one who is available to us but comes to us in a prepackaged interview. Ben Abramson, BSI ("The Beryl Coronet") was a bookseller and the first publisher of The Baker Street Journal. And he sat for an interview on the radio in 1954. We share Ben's background, his early days as a bookseller, his move from Chicago to New York City, his association with some of the Sherlockian greats such as Vincent Starrett, Edgar W. Smith, and Peter Blau, and trace the rise and tragic fall of the BSJ and of Ben himself.  The winner of the previous episode's Canonical Couplet is revealed and we share yet another couplet for your identification. The winner will receive a copy of an Old Series BSJ as published by Ben. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by August 14, 2023 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play. If you become a , not only will you help to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and transcription services, but we have thank-you gifts at certain tiers and ad-free versions of the episodes for all patrons.     Sponsors  is the premier publisher of books about Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle.  brings the best in new Sherlock Holmes novels, biographies, graphic novels and short story collections every month. With over 400 books it's the largest catalogue of new Sherlock Holmes books in the world.   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!   Links This episode:  The main source for this episode was the blog  from the BSI Archival Series(Abebooks) (Phillip Shreffler) (Studies in Starrett) Other episodes mentioned: Also available on , , and  News about , , and  Previous Episodes mentioned:  (with Vincent Wright)   Many more links, articles, and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at   as well as through our accounts on , , , and .     And would you consider leaving us a rating and review? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.            

“Apply 221B, Baker Street” [NAVA]    Last week, we left you hanging with Vincent Starrett's chapter in his book The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.    We couldn't leave it unfinished, so we're back with the second half. And a special treat at the conclusion of the episode—also with a 221B theme.  It's just a Trifle.     Find Trifles wherever you listen to podcasts: Listen to Sherlock Holmes: Trifles      Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show.  And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal.     Links / Notes This episode: ihose.co/trifles221b The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes by Vincent Starrett   Sponsor The Baker Street Journal   Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0   --    

“I have my eye on a suite in Baker Street” [STUD]   There is no question that 221B Baker Street is the most famous address in all of fiction. What makes it interesting is its non-existence at the time of the stories' publications, and legions of fans attempting to determine its actual location afterward.   Vincent Starrett was a huge fan of this game. So much so that he dedicated a chapter in his book The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes to it. To celebrate our 221st episode, Scott and Burt read "No. 221B Baker Street" from the book. It's just a Trifle.       Find Trifles wherever you listen to podcasts: Listen to Sherlock Holmes: Trifles      Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show.  And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal.       Links / Notes This episode: ihose.co/trifles221 The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes by Vincent Starrett   Sponsor The Baker Street Journal   Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0   --    

Long available only in a very limited edition, here is Vincent Starrett’s affectionate and good-humored pastiche, a Sherlockian adventure set in the world of book collectors.

"Unique, perfectly unique" [BRUC]  When Vincent Starrett set out to write his cornerstone pastiche in 1920, it wasn't intended for an audience of Sherlock Holmes fans. For one, he didn't know of any others who were as fixated on Holmes as he was. Fortunately, Richard Sveum, BSI ("Dr. Hill Barton") is well connected in the Sherlockian world and was able to tap the talents of other Starrett experts and enthusiasts to assist him in creating the 2020 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual: The 100-Year Adventure of The Unique Hamlet. This look at Vincent Starrett's classic work will bring you new understanding of the man and his contribution to the world of book collectors and Sherlock Holmes. The Canonical Couplet quiz winner this time will receive a copy of the 2020 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual: The 100-Year Adventure of The Unique Hamlet. Answers are due by February 27, 2021 at 11:59 a.m. Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below. Please do consider becoming a . We have a new structure for 2021, with support on a monthly (rather than per-episode) basis, and a community just for our supporters! Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and this year, transcription services.    Sponsors  is the premier publisher of books about Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle, including .     has a new offering: . It's a monthly subscription program for Sherlock Holmes books. Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!   Links This episode:  to be sure you get this year's Christmas Annual  (University of Minnesota Libraries) Randall Stock's (Best of Sherlock) Ray Betzner's (Studies in Starrett) by Susan Rice (Amazon) Previous episodes mentioned: (Ray Betzner and Susan Rice) (Evelyn Herzog and Susan Rice) (Ray Betzner) Many more links, articles and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at  as well as through our accounts on , , , and .       Please subscribe on the podcast provider of your choosing: And would you consider leaving us a rating and review? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323).   Transcript We are so grateful for your support! If you would like to , we'd appreciate it. The transcript for this episode can be viewed at .   --

Join me to listen to a Sherlock Holmes story that was one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's own personal favorites. Great fun, and one of his cleverest plots. Of the world that Doyle created, Vincent Starrett wrote, with great affection, a poem entitled 221B: Here dwell together still two men of note Who never lived and so can never die: How very near they seem, yet how remote That age before the world went all awry. But still the game’s afoot for those with ears Attuned to catch the distant view-halloo: England is England yet, for all our fears– Only those things the heart believes are true. A yellow fog swirls past the window-pane As night descends upon this fabled street: A lonely hansom splashes through the rain, The ghostly gas lamps fail at twenty feet. Here, though the world explode, these two survive, And it is always eighteen ninety-five.

"His name is Vincent" [REDH]  We last spoke with Ray Betzner, BSI ("The Agony Column") five years ago (on Episode 61), where he was joined by Susan Rice, BSI ("Beeswing"). Ray had just launched his blog, Studies in Starrett, which takes a look at the works, connections, and life of Vincent Starrett, BSI ("A Study in Scarlet").   Now that the site has reached its five-year mark, we interviewed Ray about what he's seen and written over that half-decade and surprises along the way. It's an insightful look at the passion and mindset of a collector and a journey of one who delights in sharing his knowledge and acquisitions with others.   We also have another installment of "As We Go to Press" with Mattias Boström, co-editor of the Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle in the Newspapers series. Try your hand at the latest Canonical Couplet quiz, see if you can figure out the story we're referring to, and you might win a prize.   Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below.   Please do consider becoming a . Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and this year, transcription services.     Sponsors We're proud to feature  as our lead sponsor. They've been with us for nearly the entire run. Please visit their site and let them know you found them via I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere.   We have room for more than one sponsor. If you're interested in advertising with us, you can find . Let's chat!   Links This episode:   website  Facebook page "" by Vincent Starrett   Many more links, articles and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at  as well as through our accounts on , , and .   Please subscribe on the podcast provider of your choosing: , , , , ,  or  — or perhaps another we haven't listed here — and be kind enough to leave a rating and review for the show. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323).   Transcript We're still looking for your help to reach  (we're currently at $90 per episode—so close!). That will allow us to fund transcripts of every episode. But we do need you to pitch in — please consider supporting us via  or  for any amount to make this process sustainable!

“the name is familiar to me” [SPEC]  The parodies of Sherlock Holmes began almost as soon as the short stories began appearing in The Strand Magazine. And parody plots required parody names.   Bill Mason, BSI ("White Mason") began keeping a log of the silly iterations and manifestations of Sherlock Holmes's name over the years and has turned it into a book, A Holmes By Any Other Name. But more than a cataloging of names, it's a story about how Sherlock Holmes was been inextricably woven into the fabric of popular culture over a century or more. We also touch on Pursuing Sherlock Holmes, Bill's other Sherlockian book — evidence of his polymath personality — as well as the Fresh Rashers, a rather intriguing and fun group. We also have another installment of "As We Go to Press" with Mattias Boström, co-editor of the Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle in the Newspapers series. Try your hand at the latest Canonical Couplet quiz, see if you can figure out the story we're referring to, and you might win a prize. Listen closely because we have a bonus contest embedded within Bill's interview as well.   Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below.   Please do consider becoming a . Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and this year, transcription services.     Sponsors We're proud to feature  as our lead sponsor. They've been with us for nearly the entire run. Please visit their site and let them know you found them via I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere. Be sure to sign up for  and the viewing of The Art of Sherlock Holmes on May 25th. We have room for more than one sponsor. If you're interested in advertising with us, you can find . Let's chat!     Links This episode:   (Wildside Press)  (Xlibris)  (the Minnesota conference)  with Shannon Carlisle "" by Vincent Starrett "" by William Schweikert   Many more links, articles and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at  as well as through our accounts on , , and .   Please subscribe on the podcast provider of your choosing: , , , , ,  or  — or perhaps another we haven't listed here — and be kind enough to leave a rating and review for the show. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323).  

A letter from a Sherlockian author not unfamiliar to the podcast sends Alan King off on a conspiracy binge involving Ronald Knox working against Sherlockians, the British government using Conan Doyle to distract Vincent Starrett, and other things that co-host Toni Sutherland would rather he not.

"a gang in Chicago" [DANC]    The 75th anniversary of a Sherlockian organization is a fine time to reflect on its history. So we did just that with Don Terras, BSI ("The Politician, the Lighthouse, and the Trained Cormorant") from his unique perch near an actual lighthouse.   The Hounds of the Baskerville (sic) has its roots in Chicago, thanks to one of the "Holy Three" of early Sherlockian giants, Vincent Starrett. There are about a score of other groups in and around Chicagoland, and Don takes us on a brief tour of them, as well as the storied history of the Hounds.   If you're interested in how a Sherlockian group manages to celebrate the past while simultaneously planning for the future, and about some greats in Sherlockian lore, tune in to hear Don's storytelling.   That, plus a very special and hilarious Sherlock Holmes Brand spot.   Sponsors This episode includes our two longtime sponsors, plus a new addition. Please support our sponsors by visiting their sites: , where you can find the eBSJ - the electronic archive of the Journal from 1946-2011. Dan Andriacco's    Would you care to become a sponsor? You can find .   Links   Many more links, articles and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at  as well as through our accounts on , , and .   Please , , , ,  or —or the podcast player of your choice—and be kind enough to leave a rating or review for the show. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323).  

"this is my special hobby" [STUD]  Every once in a great while, a book with special significance is published in the world of Sherlock Holmes fans. When the Canon was completed and the stories appeared in the first version of The Complete Sherlock Holmes; when Vincent Starrett brought forth scholarship and fun in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes; when William S. Baring-Gould, BSI ("The Gloria Scott") took a stab at compiling research and chronologies in The Annotated Sherlock Holmes; and now as Mattias Boström, BSI ("The Swedish Pathological Society") has chronicled the rise of Sherlock Holmes in popular culture.   From Holmes to Sherlock looks not at Conan Doyle's life as a biography would, and does not look at the stories as scholars would. Rather, it shows how Sherlock Holmes was brought to life and how the character evolved over time through the many creators, actors and fans who have kept the interest going.   We talked with Mattias about the creative process, his inspiration, and his other major Sherlockian works. We hope you'll learn a few things along with us.   And please consider becoming a . Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and this year, transcription services.       Sponsors This episode includes our two longtime sponsors, plus a new addition. Please support our sponsors by visiting their sites: , publishers of . , where you can find the BSI Press International Series.   Links "" - Michael Dirda's review of From Holmes to Sherlock in the Washington Post  via the BSI Press ""  from Wessex Press   Many more links, articles and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at , as well as on the  on Google+ (with over 4,000 members), as well as through our accounts on , , and .   Please , , ,  or —or the podcast player of your choice—and be kind enough to leave a rating or review for the show. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323).  

"Has anything escaped me?" [HOUN]  There's a reason Vincent Starrett wrote "Here, though the world explode, these two survive,/ And it is always eighteen ninety-five." Whether it was in the 1940s or today, the world offers a up a variety of stressors and developments that cause one to wish to simply forget about it all for a while. Hence, the concept of escapism. The pastime of Sherlock Holmes is a form of escapism, and we explore what it means, the origin of the phrase, and how it differs from procrastination. And there were a number of individuals in the Canon who were escaping from something or who wished to bury themselves in some sort of distraction or hobby. From Irene Adler to Selden, Hugh Boone to Brunton, J. Neil Gibson to Elsie Cubitt, there were reasons to withdraw and escape; and Stapleton, Baron Gruner, and Sherlock Holmes himself had hobbies that kept them otherwise occupied from time to time. Plus, we wrap up with an escapist Gas-Lamp: Bill Schweikert's "A Long Evening with Holmes."   Sponsors Wessex Press, with The Watson Chronicles by Ann Margaret Lewis. The Baker Street Journal, where you'll find many reasons to escape in every issue.   Notes 1:33 Hello there and a brainstorm 6:25 Wessex Press 7:39 Our other show 10:26 Escapism and the Sherlock Holmes stories 18:48 Hobbies as escapes 22:35 Polyphonic motets of Lassus 23:41 The great hiatus — escapism at its most extreme 29:10 The likelihood of Watson cramming for a Chinese pottery exam 33:45 Conan Doyle's interests and hobbies 35:26 Peter Carey was ahead of his time 39:54 The Baker Street Journal 41:22 The Sherlock Holmes News 57:50 Editor's Gas-Lamp 1:00:33 Listener comment 1:03:49 The game's afoot! 1:04:39 The Procrastination Song   Many more links, articles and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at ihose.co/flipsherlock, as well as on the The Sherlock Holmes Community on Google+ (with over 4,100 members), as well as through our accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please subscribe to us on iTunes, Google Play, Soundcloud, Stitcher or Spreaker and be kind enough to leave a rating or review for the show. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable. Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323). --

" dancing across the paper" [DANC]  The opportunity to see an original Conan Doyle manuscript up close and to transcribe it word for word is a rare one. Which is why Ray Betzner, BSI ("The Agony Column") jumped at the opportunity and buttonholed David Morrill, BSI ("Count Von Kramm") to assist with the editing Dancing to Death, the latest volume in the Baker Street Irregulars Manuscript Series, which covers "The Adventure of the Dancing Men." Ray tells us about his budding interest in Sherlock Holmes and how it began with his discovery of Vincent Starrett — and a twice-failed driving test. And he continues with the origin story of this long-unseen manuscript, the choice of authors and topics — from an authority in ciphers to the first BSI to see the manuscript, to the role of sound, to the "manuscript police" — and an admiration for the ingenuity, creativity and expertise for their work. But it goes deeper than that: Ray shares his misgivings about this story, which is one that it is actually a failure for Sherlock Holmes. He broke the code, but he also let his client down, ultimately resulting in the Hilton Cubitt's death. Even the story itself is one that focused on the puzzle rather than on the people. Plus, a new Sherlock Holmes brand ad and a very special visit from a longtime favorite of ours.   Sponsors This episode includes our two longtime sponsors. Please support our sponsors by visiting their sites: Wessex Press, with Unmitigated Bleat by Paul Herbert, BSI. The Baker Street Journal, where you'll find many volumes of the BSI Manuscript Series and the BSI International Series. Notes 1:33 Recovering from the recovery from the New Year 3:17 Teasing a new feature: Elementary comic strip, courtesy of Steve and Rusty Mason 4:05 Wessex Press 5:19 For peat's sake! 5:55 Welcoming Ray Betzner, BSI ("The Agony Column") 7:10 A little bit about Vincent Starrett 10:53 The selection of the editors of Dancing to Death 13:43 The backstory on the discovery of the manuscript 18:30 John Jones / Hilton Jones / Hilton Cubitt and a Mary Morstan Watsonism 21:24 Ten essays cover a wide range of topics about the story 25:33 Misgivings about "The Dancing Men" 29:02 A story designed around the puzzle 30:40 Conan Doyle's pin cipher in WWI and the attraction of ciphers to literary types 37:17 Chicago just can't shake its reputation 46:05 Baker Street Journal 47:35 Sherlock Holmes Brand Codemaster 3000 48:34 Wrapping up and an important announcement 51:42 The game's afoot! 52:29 An extra Many more links, articles and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at ihose.co/flipsherlock, as well as on the The Sherlock Holmes Community on Google+ (with over 4,100 members), as well as through our accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please subscribe to us on iTunes, Google Play, Soundcloud, Stitcher or Spreaker and be kind enough to leave a rating or review for the show. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable. Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323).

The Baker Street Irregulars Manuscript Series has another entry, and once again we find ourselves chatting with co-editors Robert Katz, MD, BSI ("Dr. Ainstree") and Andrew Solberg, BSI ("Professor Coram"). Bob and Andy of course were our guests on , and we're delighted to have them with us again to share the secret as to how lightning strikes twice and these two fine editors regroup to wrangle together scholarship, research and fun for our Sherlockian edification.   This time, the  title is , and it treats the reader to a full-color reproduction of the manuscript of "The Adventure of the Second Stain" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. What's more, we even get some high-resolution Sidney Paget artwork that gives more detail of Sherlock Holmes than most readers have seen before.   Join us for this chat with Bob and Andy as we discover the origins of Sherlock Holmes and Haverford College, the secret meaning of the code words "apple pie," and the possible contributor whose unfamiliar handwriting is abruptly seen in the middle of the manuscript. And be the first to know what the next entry in the BSI Manuscript Series will be.   The Gas-Lamp this episode is inspired by a letter written by Vincent Starrett to Edgar Smith mentioned in the Preface of Irregular Stain, which appeared as "A Perspective on Scholarship" in the January 1953 Vol. 3, No. 1 (New Series) edition of The Baker Street Journal.   Links: An excerpt from Irregular Stain:  by Elizabeth Rosenblatt, BSI, ASH. Randall Stock's    Please  and be kind enough to leave a rating or review for the show. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email, call us at (774) 221-READ (7323) or use the Speakpipe app right here on the site. Connect with us and other interested Sherlockians on  on Google+, ,  and . And of course, our  is a nice collection of links, articles and images.   And above all, please let our sponsors know that you heard us rant and rave about their excellence during the programme:  and .     --

"those weekend parties" [SOLI]  While our last episode was recorded during the BSI Weekend in New York, we thought we'd cover some of the happenings in and around the  itself.   Our opening comments center around collecting and what makes a collector, but then we quickly launch into actual audio clips with individuals we met during the weekend. Our audio files open with an interview with  Art Levine, who has been attending BSI dinners since 1954. He knew and associated with the likes of Edgar Smith, Christopher Morley, Rex Stout, Basil Davenport and more.   We then flit from one newly minted BSI to another. You'll hear the excitement and energy in their voices that testify to the thrilling nature of receiving an investiture in this literary society.     We reach deep into the mail (voice and e) for our listener comments. And this episode's Gas-Lamp from the March 1995 Baker Street Journal (Vol. 45, No. 1) harkens back to our previous episode and looks at the serendipity of collecting - particularly acquiring new books during the BSI Weekend - and touches upon the collection of one Mr. Vincent Starrett.   Links:  - electronic edition  spring edition will contain the BSI Weekend recap - be sure to subscribe. Our  and  site aggregate lots of content for your enjoyment.   Please  and be kind enough to leave a rating or review for the show. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email, call us at (774) 221-READ (7323) or use the Speakpipe app right here on the site. Connect with us and other interested Sherlockians on  on Google+, ,  and . And of course, our  is a nice collection of links, articles and images.   And above all, please let our sponsors know that you heard us rant and rave about their excellence during the programme:  and .   --  

"...my little bookshop at the corner..." [EMPT]  When we have the opportunity to sit on a couple of sofas and interview some of the most erudite and interesting Baker Street Irregulars of our time, we take it. And it seems that the BSI Weekend serves as just the spot to do that. Two years ago, we had an opportunity to do just that with Michael Dirda (ref. ), and we were again afforded that opportunity this year. On January 16, 2014, we had the great fortune to find an upstairs room in The Players Club in Manhattan, where we plunked our microphones down in front of Ray Betzner, BSI ("The Agony Column") and the esteemed Susan Rice, BSI ("Beeswing"), ASH ("Some Observations upon the Segregation of the Queen") and got them to wax poetic about the great Sherlockian and bookman, Vincent Starrett. While many people are familiar with the names of Edgar Smith and Christopher Morley when it comes to early Irregular history, Vincent Starrett may not be as widely known. He was certainly very well known in his own time, and particularly in his city of Chicago. His contributions to the world of Sherlock Holmes were immense, and his own magnum opus  is probably the most well known. But what else was known of this man? How did he become such a great scholar of Holmes? What of his professional life? What mysteries within his own personal life and commitments kept him from attending all but the first BSI Dinner, despite his death some 40 years later in 1974? Our interview subjects delve into all of these topics and many more as they help us explore the multifaceted bookman Vincent Starrett. We hear from Vincent himself in the opening strains of the show and we close not with a Gas-Lamp, but of a reading of his touching poem "221B." Both of these are available on , available from the Wessex Press, our sponsor. Listener comments are back (thank you!), both written and audio, and we give those some airtime. Finally, we have a special item - an article that Starrett wrote for The Observer, the catalog from Oppenheim's from Autumn 1929, titled "Fashions in Fiction" - that is available as a bonus item only for listeners who have downloaded our , our , or our . Links: Ray Betzner's new website:  - including ""  - 75th anniversary edition, edited by Ray Betzner (Wessex Press) An excerpt from  (BSI Archival History) "" in The Golden Book Magazine - available to one lucky collector (Amazon.com)  (via the Internet Archive)  (Hypable) Our  and  site aggregate lots of content for your enjoyment. Please  and be kind enough to leave a rating or review for the show. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable. Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email, call us at (774) 221-READ (7323) or use the Speakpipe app right here on the site. Connect with us and other interested Sherlockians on  on Google+, ,  and . And of course, our  is a nice collection of links, articles and images. And above all, please let our sponsors know that you heard us rant and rave about their excellence during the programme:  and . Image credit:  --