I was just given an interesting book: “Profile By Gaslight” edited by Edgar W. Smith, published in 1944. The sub-title is “An Irregular Reader about the Private Life of Sherlock Holmes”.
It was a gift from a dear friend of mine. She was looking through her books, and since she had a copy of the complete works of Sherlock Holmes, she decided she did not need this book, and thus gave it to me. Being an enthusiastic fan of Sherlock Holmes, I had to find out what this book is about, the meaning and the players.
“Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth.”1
I have several volumes of Sherlock Holmes books. One of my favorite books (of all times, not just Sherlock Holmes) is “The Illustrated Sherlock Holmes” by Sir Arthur Conon Doyle. This edition was published in 1976.
The reason of this book being a favorite of mine to read, is because it is published to look exactly the same way, when Sherlock Holmes was first exposed to the public, by the Strand Magazine in July of 1891. There are two columns of print on each page, along with the original illustrations by Sidney Paget. When I have difficulty sleeping or just need a relaxing read, I can peruse a story about Sherlock Holmes.
Each story is about 15 pages long, and I can easily be swept back to London, 130 years ago. Sherlock Holmes is one of the most popular literary characters ever. The old illustrations help make the stories come alive. This was how the world was made aware of Doyle’s character Sherlock Holmes. There are 37 stories, and one novel printed in this book. Most everyone should have a copy of this book at their nightstand.
I also have the two-volume set of the complete works of Sherlock Holmes. There are a total of 56 short stories and four novels. This edition was published in 1969.
“You see but you do not observe. The distinction is clear”2
Interestingly, there is a preface by Christopher Morley. He writes a glowing report of why Sherlock Holmes is so popular. Morley gives great Holmes details to the introduction. He also thanks Sir Arthor Conon Doyle for bringing Holmes and Dr. Watson to life.
As I re-read the preface, I remembered that I have several books written by Christopher Morley. They are “Parnassus on Wheels” and “The Haunted Bookshop”. These editions were published in 1955.
These are wonderful novels that take place in a bookseller’s world. If one loves books, they will enjoy these two books.
“It has been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely more important.” 3
I also have a book about Sherlock Holmes that Morley wrote. It is “Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson” published in 1944.
In using quotes from various Arthur Conan Doyle stories, Morley writes of the friendship between Holmes and Watson. There are also detailed study notes about the stories to better understand particulars, whether they be the nature of Sherlock Holmes, or information that Arthur Conan Doyle was trying to code into the stories. It is a great book to read if one is a Sherlock Holmes fan, and Christopher Marley was one of the biggest fans of Sherlock Holmes.
He was the founder of The Baker Street Irregulars, the first ever literary club about Sherlock Holmes, back in 1934. In my gift book “Profile by Gaslight” (from the beginning of this post), there are several stories written by Christopher Morley. There are also a few stories written by a Vincent Starrett.
“To a great mind, nothing is little.” 4
I happen to have a few books from Vincent Starrett. They are “Bookman’s Holiday” printed in 1942, and “Born in a Bookshop” printed in 1965.
Starrett was also a bibliophile, a newspaper writer, and bookseller. These books are well worth reading. Starrett was a friend of Christopher Morley, and another founding member of The Baker Street Irregulars. As he too was a Sherlock Holmes fan, Starrett wrote this book about Sherlock Holmes, “The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes”, originally published in 1934, I have the revised edition published in 1960 with an added story that Starrett wrote about Sherlock Holmes.
Using ‘canon”-the actual books and stories of Sherlock Holmes written by Doyle, Starrett paints a biography of Sherlock Holmes. Starrett was also very much a Sherlockian.
But back once more to “Profiles by Gaslight” by Edgar W. Smith.
“You know my method. It is founded on observation of trifles.”5
Smith was very good friends with Morley and Starrett, and another big Sherlock Holmes fan. Smith was the writer of The Baker Street Irregulars journal. He also took over the daily working of the literary club to ensure regular meetings, and eventful programs.
By the way, The Baker Street Irregulars name came from the story “A Study in Scarlet”. In the story, Holmes had recruited young street urchins to help him find out information for his cases. They roamed freely and undetected in the streets of London and were called The Baker Street Irregulars.
“Having gathered these facts, Watson, I smoked several pipes over them, trying to separate those which were crucial from others which were merely incidental.”6
Incidental may be the book “The Doyle Diary: The Last Great Conan Doyle Mystery, by Michael Baker, printed in 1978.
This is a diary from Charles Altamont Doyle (Arthur Conan Doyle’s father), written while imprisoned in an insane asylum. The words and illustrations make one wonder was he crazy?
“A man should keep his little brain attic stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library where he can get it if he wants.”7
In my library, I have a couple of other specific books written of Sherlock Holmes stories by Doyle. First is “The Speckled Band” illustrated by Dean Morrissey, printed in 1987.
This is a good book to read to children. Not only is one introducing Sherlock Holmes to a new generation, but each illustration has glow in the dark features. It is a marvelous book to read out loud.
I also have “Tales of Sherlock Holmes” by Doyle, printed in 1906 by the publisher A.L. Burt.
It is rather a collector’s volume. I love the dust jacket illustration.
I have another interesting book by Arthur Conan Doyle. It is “the Lost World”. This edition was published by Triangle books in 1943.
“The Lost World” tracks a Professor Challenger to a hidden plateau in South America. Live dinosaurs inhabited the strange area. Arthur Conan Doyle enjoyed writing about this character as much as Sherlock Holmes. It has been said that he would dress up as Professor Challenger for events. He wrote two short stories and five novels with the character.
I had read this book in eighth grade English and Reading, and really enjoyed it. (I also had to read the book “Lord of the Flies” in eighth grade. When I had to read that book again as a freshman in high school, I told the teacher I had already read it. She didn’t believe me, so I asked her to give me the test right now. She did and I passed it. For extra credit, the teacher had me write the test for the rest of the class to take. I actually ended up reading more books for assignments in seventh and eighth grade English classes, then in all four years of high school classes combined.)
Interesting, is a description of Dr. Challenger in “The Lost World”:
“He is a violent, dangerous, cantankerous character, hated by everyone who comes across him, and the butt of the students, so far as they dare take a liberty with him. Perhaps it would be best for you if you never heard from the fellow at all.”8
So, I will set Professor Challenger aside for another day to re-read, and continue my love affair of reading Sherlock Holmes. These stories make for a great evening pastime, needing only a story or two to help wind down one’s day.
“Excellent,” I cried. “Elementary,” said he.9
Thanks for reading.
*Sherlock Holmes from “The Aventure of the Abbey Grange”
- Sherlock Holmes from “The Sign of Four” ↩︎
- Sherlock Holmes from “A Scandal in Bohemia” ↩︎
- Sherlock Holmes from “A Case of Identity” ↩︎
- Sherlock Holmes from ” A Study in Scarlet” ↩︎
- Sherlock Holmes from “Boscombe Valley Mystery” ↩︎
- Sherlock Holmes from “The Adventure of the Crooked Man” ↩︎
- Sherlock Holmes from “The Five Orange Pips” ↩︎
- About Professor Challenger from “The Lost World” ↩︎
- Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes from “The Adventure of the Crooked Man” ↩︎
Librarytomes 