th0 er peop1'·1es mal by Bob Coghill,...
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The newsletter of the Baker Street Irregulars Trust VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 "th 1'·1" ...0 er peop e s mal ... SPRING 2006 by Bob Coghill, BSI Peter Accardo of the Houghton Library, Bob Coghill and Glen Miranker at The Harvard Faculty Club often deals with unique items. While every library might contain a copy of Edgar W. Smith's Profile in Gaslight, it would be an archive that would house the letters of Ed- gar W. Smith, each of them a unique item. An archive can and often does make its home in a library, as does the archive of the Baker Street Irregulars, which resides in the Houghton Library at Harvard. And indeed those unique Smith letters are now in our archive at the Houghton and will soon be available for scholars and researchers. I have a confession to make. I like to read other peo- ple's mail. I've been doing a lot of it lately. I recently read several hundred letters; none of them addressed to me. The letters came into my possession early last fall and over the winter and spring, I read them over carefully, enjoy- ing this peek into other people's mail, especially since the other people included Franklin D. Roosevelt, Basil Rathbone, Eve Titus (creator of the Basil of Baker Street series), and Christopher Morley among many others. These letters, the correspondence of Edgar W. Smith, founding editor of The Baker Street Journal and a Vice- President of General Motors, came to me in Toronto by way of San Francisco where they formed a part of Glen Miranker's Sherlockian collection. The letters formed part of Glen's gift to the Baker Street Irregulars' Trust archives. They came to me because I am one of the two BSI archivists. Bill Vande Water and I share the archival responsibilities for the BSI Trust. Of course, as archivists we do more than just read other people's mail. What does an Archivist do? An archivist acquires and preserves important documents and other valuable items for permanent storage or display. He (or she) also describes, catalogues, analyzes, exhibits, and maintains valuable objects and collections for the benefit of re- searchers and the public. These documents and collec- tions may include works of art, transcripts of meetings, and other such evidence of activities. May 26,2006 Photo by Julie McKuras An archivist plans and oversees the arrangement and description of records and documents that are retained because of their importance and potential value in the future. An archivist collects, organizes, and maintains control over a wide range of information deemed important enough for permanent safekeeping. This information takes many forms: photographs, films, video and sound recordings, computer tapes, and video and optical disks, as well as more traditional paper records, letters, and documents. An archivist is like a librarian in many ways, but instead of dealing with copies of published material, the archivist The first accession to the BSI Trust archives was a ship- ment of several boxes that had been in the care of George McCormack. The timing of the shipment coin- cided with the end of the school year, so my office was closing for the summer and it led to some bumpy mo- ments, but eventually I got all the boxes at the Fort Erie, Ontario UPS office and was very happy to have them safe in my possession. The boxes contained, among other things, some 5000 photographs that had been amassed by Tom and Dorothy Stix . . The photographs fell under the responsibility of Bill Vande Water, so they were packed up and sent off to Bill by way of Dorothy Stix who agreed to re-house the
Transcript of th0 er peop1'·1es mal by Bob Coghill,...
The newsletter of the Baker Street Irregulars Trust
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1
"th 1'·1"...0 er peop e s mal ...
SPRING 2006
by Bob Coghill, BSI
Peter Accardo of the Houghton Library, Bob Coghill andGlen Miranker at The Harvard Faculty Club
often deals with unique items. While every library mightcontain a copy of Edgar W. Smith's Profile in Gaslight, itwould be an archive that would house the letters of Ed-gar W. Smith, each of them a unique item. An archivecan and often does make its home in a library, as doesthe archive of the Baker Street Irregulars, which residesin the Houghton Library at Harvard. And indeed thoseunique Smith letters are now in our archive at theHoughton and will soon be available for scholars andresearchers.
I have a confession to make. I like to read other peo-ple's mail.
I've been doing a lot of it lately. I recently read severalhundred letters; none of them addressed to me. Theletters came into my possession early last fall and overthe winter and spring, I read them over carefully, enjoy-ing this peek into other people's mail, especially sincethe other people included Franklin D. Roosevelt, BasilRathbone, Eve Titus (creator of the Basil of Baker Streetseries), and Christopher Morley among many others.
These letters, the correspondence of Edgar W. Smith,founding editor of The Baker Street Journal and a Vice-President of General Motors, came to me in Toronto byway of San Francisco where they formed a part of GlenMiranker's Sherlockian collection. The letters formedpart of Glen's gift to the Baker Street Irregulars' Trustarchives. They came to me because I am one of thetwo BSI archivists. Bill Vande Water and I share thearchival responsibilities for the BSI Trust. Of course, asarchivists we do more than just read other people's mail.
What does an Archivist do? An archivist acquires andpreserves important documents and other valuableitems for permanent storage or display. He (or she) alsodescribes, catalogues, analyzes, exhibits, and maintainsvaluable objects and collections for the benefit of re-searchers and the public. These documents and collec-tions may include works of art, transcripts of meetings,and other such evidence of activities.
May 26,2006 Photo by Julie McKuras
An archivist plans and oversees the arrangement anddescription of records and documents that are retainedbecause of their importance and potential value in thefuture.
An archivist collects, organizes, and maintains controlover a wide range of information deemed importantenough for permanent safekeeping. This informationtakes many forms: photographs, films, video and soundrecordings, computer tapes, and video and optical disks,as well as more traditional paper records, letters, anddocuments.
An archivist is like a librarian in many ways, but insteadof dealing with copies of published material, the archivist
The first accession to the BSI Trust archives was a ship-ment of several boxes that had been in the care ofGeorge McCormack. The timing of the shipment coin-cided with the end of the school year, so my office wasclosing for the summer and it led to some bumpy mo-ments, but eventually I got all the boxes at the Fort Erie,Ontario UPS office and was very happy to have themsafe in my possession. The boxes contained, amongother things, some 5000 photographs that had beenamassed by Tom and Dorothy Stix .
. The photographs fell under the responsibility of BillVande Water, so they were packed up and sent off toBill by way of Dorothy Stix who agreed to re-house the
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"th 1'"1"...0 er peop e s mal ...
photos in archival photo albums and work on identifyingas many of the subjects as possible.
The bulk of the boxes contained the BSI records, some ofwhich dated back to Julian Wolff and some created byTom Stix, Jr. The Wolff papers contained such diverseitems as copies of the Sherlockian maps that he createdin the 1940s, hand-written notes, outlines of BSI dinnerprograms, lists of those who had been sent invitations,with a system denoting who had responded, who hadpaid, etc.
Tom's records also contained many interesting andunique items, including a hand-made glasses' case, inBSI colors with "Wiggins" and Tom's initials stitched in.Tom's papers include official BSI correspondence withpublishers, the IRS, and scion societies and such thingsas receipts, menus and some copies of papers given atthe annual dinner.
But the most interesting items for me were the many let-ters both to and from Tom related to the activities ofSherlockians everywhere.
Notes from the Co-ChairDear fellow Sherlockians,
I am both honored and humbled to have been selectedby our "Wiggins" (Mike Whelan) to co-chair The BakerStreet Irregulars Trust. I want to thank Mike for his confi-dence in me (and in my co-chairman, Glen Miranker).The honor and pride of accepting this position is bornfrom my recognition that the Trust should, and will, helpto ensure that our society's literary history, as well as ourlineage of camaraderie, be preserved for posterity. Thevein of humility is born from my recognition that, althoughI have had a degree of ::;uccess in cultivating my own li-brary and collection, and in espousing some of my moretrifling (canonical) bibliographic theories, I know well thatthere are many Sherlockians better versed in the historyand personalities of our illustrious society than I. To wit, Iam, and will continue to remain, indebted to Mike Whe-lan, Peter Blau, and Dan Posnansky for their erudite ad-vice. I would also like to extend (on behalf of the BSITrust's founding officers) congratulations to three keypeople named to our committee: Julie McKuras (ournewsletter editor), Bob Coghill and Bill VandeWater (ourarchivists).
We now have a web presence: the 'official' BSIT website
Continued from page 1
Some are "very fashionable epistles" but none as far asI could tell were "from a fish-monger and a tide-waiter."Like Holmes', Tom's "correspondence has certainly thecharm of variety ... and the humbler are usually themore interesting." (NOBL)
Through reading the charming variety of correspon-dence, you get a glimpse into the goings-on in theSherlockian world and you get a behind the scenesglimpse into the wonderful world of the Baker StreetIrregulars.
I would like to challenge all Baker Street Irregulars tocheck their own files for "charming correspondence" (oreven not-so charming!) related to the activities of theBSI and its history. Consider making a donation to ourarchives. The Houghton Library at Harvard is an ap-propriately wonderful place to which those letters (andother records) to live out their days.
But first send them to me. I love to read other people'smail!
"!Sob COgVlaL, 1SS1
is operational. I encourage all Sherlockians to visit thesite; it is beautifully organized and quite informative.The website address is http://www.bsitrust.org
It is usually uncomfortable to proselytize, but only to theuninitiated. Happily, the readers of this newsletter donot fall into this category; Sherlock Holmes is in ourblood and in our collective conscience. The BSI Trustis more than a mere repository for foolscap and ephem-era; it is a living, animated, ongoing entity that needs tobe nourished. It is an endeavor which anyone whoresonates with The Master (and keeps a spot in theirheart where it's always 1895) will hopefully continue tosupport.
The BSI Trust welcomes allmonetary gifts as well asmaterial contributions to the archives.Questions regarding material contri-butions should be directed to GlenMiranker, atGlen [email protected]
Monetary donations should be sent to:Constantine Rossakis, MD, BSI162 Chestnut Ridge Rd.Saddle River, NJ 07458-2804
Wiggins on the Trust
The Baker Street Irregulars (BSI) Trust was formed tofocus on acquisition, facilitation and maintenance ofthe BSI Archives. The newsletter reader might ormight not recognize that all of the trustees and theTrust's special advisor are notable collectors. Thiswas a particular consideration, among others, whileforming the board. It was recognized that establish-ment and ongoing construction of this Archive re-quires the same mind-set and zeal that these collec-tors have applied to their own collections.
I'm extremely pleased with the initial support we'vereceived from a sizeable number of fellow Sherlocki-ans, and with the work of the trustees, our archivistsand our newsletter editor. I'm also delighted to an-nounce the appointment of Glen Miranker and CostaRossakis to serve as Co-Chairmen of the BSI Trust.They bring outstanding leadership skills and vision tothe Trust. Both have demonstrated considerable tal-ents and high energy levels in the work they havecontributed to this important cause. The Trust andthe BSI Archives are in excellent hands that willguide us in the future.
M~CVlCleL F. wVleLClV\" "BSI
THE BSI TRUST OFFICERS
Michael F. Whelan- "Wiggins"Andrew G. FuscoLeslie S. Klinger-SecretaryGlen S. Miranker-Co-Chair, Archival Material
AcquisitionDaniel PosnanskyConstantine Rossakis-Co-Chair, Fund RaisingSteven Rothman
Additionally:Peter E. Blau-Special AdviserBob Coghill-ArchivistBill Vande Water- ArchivistJulie McKuras-Newsletter Editor
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This is volume 2, issue 1 of The Baker Street IrregularsTrust newsletter. You received this copy because you areon the mailing list for The Baker Street Journal or are amember of the Baker Street Irregulars.
If you have a change ofaddress, are not interestedin receiving further issues, orhave comments andlorsuggestions, please contact:
Julie McKuras13512 Granada Ave.Apple Valley, MN 55124
Or by email [email protected]
Contributing to the TrustThe pictorial records of the BSI Trust have been greatly en-hanced by the recent donation of a videotape featuring thelate well known Irregulars Tom Stix, Jr., past "Wiggins" ofthe BSI, and John Bennett Shaw, "Simpson." This recorddocuments a CNN interview which occurred on January 7,1987 at the BSI Birthday Weekend in New York City. Thatweekend celebrated the centenary of the publication of thefirst Sherlock Holmes story, "A Study in Scarlet," in Beeton'sChristmas Annual. The interview contains a discussion ofseveral Canonical questions posed by CNN correspondentsto Mr. Stix and Mr. Shaw, whose delightful and characteristicresponses document their status as BSllegends.
I remembered when this videotape was shown at a Norwe-gian Explorer's Conference in Minneapolis, and contactedMike Whelan regarding the present whereabouts of the tape.The inquiry led to the donation. The BSI Trust is indebted toMrs. Dorothy Stix, widow of Tom Stix, Jr., for her donation ofthe videotape.
Members of the Sherlockian community are encouraged toremember the BSI Trust in all matters related to the pasthistory, present events, and the financial future of the BSIand the BSI Trust.
UTHECONTENTS OF THE BAG ... "PAGE 4
$500 - $999 "By five and by five"AnonymousKenneth LanzaDaniel Posnansky
$1000 and above "By ten and by ten"Donald Izban
$250-$499 "By two and by two"Robert Katz MDDavid Miller - in memory of Dr. Edgar Ben Smith, BSIConstantine Rossakis MDMichael Whelan
Recent Contributions to the BSI Trust
Up to $249 "By one and by one"John BaeschJohn BergquistHenry BooteRichard CaplanCatherine CookeDon CurtisMichael DirdaSteven DoyleThomas FrancisNeil GaimanDebra HallBruce & Jill HarrisEvelyn HerzogMasamichi HigurashiGideon HillNorma HyderMichael KeanJack KeyJune KinneeRichard and Francine KittsLou LewisSally Mackler - In Memory of Allen Mackler BSIC. Paul Martin MDGeorge McCormackCharles MeyerRichard MillerThe Norwegian Explorers -In Memory of Allen Mackler BSIBruce ParkerOtto PenzlerMarsha PollakSusan RiceSharon Rose-BondJulia C. RosenblattSteven RothmanPhilip ShermanJames SaundersRobert S. SchultzAndrew SolbergRichard SveumRobert ThomalenThomas Utecht
Photo by Julie McKurasJanuary 14, 2006
We can't claim to have heard from Sherlockians every-where, but a number of our readers submitted com-ments, compliments and constructive criticism regardingVolume 1, Number 1 of this newsletter. Thank you.
As we close in on the very last days of spring, we'd liketo echo Edgar Smith's thoughts. We start our secondyear, but only our second issue, of this publication withhopes for the future. Our first issue gave our readers agood look at the letters contributed to the Trust by Co-Chair Glen Miranker. These letters are a vital part ofSherlockian history and as Jon Lellenberg, BSI wrote inhis introduction to Irregular Record of the Early 'Forties,"While it is impossible to say how much past Irregularcorrespondence has been lost over the years, we arefortunate indeed that so much has survived." The lettersfeatured in our first issue were quoted by Jon in IrregularMemories of the 'Thirties as well as in the book notedabove. We are fortunate indeed, and hope that we willremain so with your continued support.
Norwegian Explorers Vice-President Gary Thaden andboard member Phil Bergem present a check to Con-stantine Rossakis on behalf of The Norwegian Explor-ers in memory of Allen Mackler, B81, at the B81 Cock-tail Party in New York.
The Cardinal PointsEdgar W. Smith wrote in ''The Editor's Gas-Lamp" inVolume 2, Number 1 (Old Series) of The Baker StreetJournal:
THE BAKER STREET JOURNAL enters its secondyear of publication freshened in its inspiration and itshopes for the future by the reception it has had at thehands of good Sherlockians everywhere.
