Image of the miniature book "How Watson Learned the Trick."

Picture of Queen Mary's Dolls' House at Windsor Castle.

I like noting when Holmes or ACD clues come up on Jeopardy. On April 17, under "Brit Bits" for $800, the clue was "For Queen Mary's Dolls' House at Windsor Castle, he hand-wrote a miniature manuscript entitled 'How Watson Learned the Trick'." The solution was "Who is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."

As a Minnesota Sherlockian, thank you for the neat analogy.
@norwegianexplorers.bsky.social

What a sorrowful life Kate must have had. Widowed, and six children dying young. Matt, once again a great research job.

Excellent research and blog on this small chapter of Doyle's life. He certainly did rub a few people the wrong way.

Our condolences to you and those around you. 😿

I enjoy the online comic xkcd, and love Sherlock Holmes. It’s fun when interests intersect.
imgs.xkcd.com/comics/elimi...

Phil

of the time, with a character named Dick Donovan. His stories also appeared in The Strand, notably in the gap between COPP and SILV. Dorothy also played tennis in the 1914 Wimbledon Championship. Quite the woman! 3/3

(It was also the same year that had the Marathon where Conan Doyle reported on Dorando Pietri.) There were 4 figure skating events held in October, months after most other events. Women skaters had to compete in ankle length skirts. Dorothy was the daughter of JEP Muddock, a popular author … 2/3

I’m enjoying the Olympics, especially the figure skating. I’m reminded that the wife of Herbert Greenhough-Smith (Strand editor), Dorothy Vernon Greenhough-Smith (née Muddock) won a bronze medal in figure skating in the 1908 Olympics in London. That was the first Olympics that figure skating. 1/3

Is that the Giant Bat of Sumatra?

Frighteningly enough, that looks like the logo for a TV game show.

I have not seen that one before. Several of the earliest Mad Magazines had Sherlock Holmes spoofs (Hound of the Basketballs, etc) but I don't recall Newman in a deerstalker.

And I observe that you are wearing a Sherlockian shirt for the outing.

Two great books. Congratulations.

I have a Rosetta Stone paperweight I purchased at the British Museum years ago. The same year that I leaned over the rail and touched the Stone. Quite a thrill. Of course, that was before they put up the plastic barrier to protect it from idiots like me.

Oh drat. OK then, good thoughts will be sent your way, regardless of however little that will help.

Oh no, dear one. Whatever is going on, I hope it gets much better, fast!

Hugs.

Yes, a decidedly impressive collection.

Great research and a fun write-up. I am fascinated by these vinettes in Sherlockian/ Doylean trifles. We all know the importance of trifles.

Yes, Happy Canada Day. Minnesotans love Canada and Canadians. I'll expand that - Smart Americans love Canada.

It is the bottom of a table built into the wall, located next to a fireplace. The whole thing is quite elaborate.

Sweet acquisition!

My wife loves the new Lego sets and we picked this one up. Step 221 was a bit anticlimactic. A very complex set, but she's having fun with it.

It's fun to see Sidney Paget drawings for other stories and apply a Sherlockian twist to them. Can't you imagine a different, more positive story for "The Speckled Band" where both sisters live?

Margie, you may have received that information from me. I can't recall if I gave you my Family and Residences pamphlet, or posted the information. To refresh, and for others, in Mem & Adv ACD refers to her as "my wife" and as the daughter of Mrs Hawkins, but never as Louise or Touie.

New blog post on a new article - on the first known reference that Doyle made to his first Sherlock story.

221bcooee.blogspot.com/2025/06/unta...

Once again, a wonderful blog write-up outlining stellar research. Very interesting and significant findings. Thanks Matt!

On Friday's Jeopardy (June 6th) this clue was under the London Literary Landmarks category.

Asimov first wrote about his all-knowing computer, Multivac (a play on UNIVAC), in the fifties. He too did not predict the enshittification we are now going through. (An aptly descriptive word )

And it is only going to get worse in the next 10-20 years with the current trend of defunding so many programs.