The Best of Sherlock Holmes

 

A Checklist of Facsimiles of the Sherlock Holmes Story Manuscripts

By Randall Stock, 28 January 2007

 

This checklist identifies reproductions from the manuscripts of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  It includes a detailed description of the reproduced text as well as citations for the sources of the reproductions.  Citations begin with the title of a publication and are structured to make it as easy as possible for you to locate and positively identify the source.

 

Terms used in the descriptions are defined at the bottom of the page in the Notes section along with other information about the construction and format of this checklist.

 

To find all the reproductions from a story, click on a story title in the Index section below.  The checklist is sorted alphabetically by story title, so you can also find a story by scrolling down through the page.  A List of Citations sorted by publication title is also available.  More information is available on the Manuscript and Facsimile home page.

 

Special News:

For details on important sales of original Conan Doyle material, see the links on the ACD Manuscripts section home page.

 

Please send me e-mail if you know of other manuscript facsimile appearances or have corrections or suggestions for this checklist.  If you have an extensive collection of Sherlockiana, especially bookseller or auction house catalogs, please look at the list of Unconfirmed Facsimile Items to see if you could help to augment the current checklist information.

 

 

Index to Titles of Stories with Facsimiles

 

Angels of Darkness

Black Peter

Cardboard Box, The

Charles Augustus Milverton

Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

Dying Detective, The

Empty House, The

Final Problem, The

Golden Pince-Nez, The

Greek Interpreter, The

His Last Bow

Hound of the Baskervilles, The

Lady Frances Carfax, Disappearance of

Last Bow, His

Lion's Mane, The

Mazarin Stone, The

Missing Three-Quarter, The

Priory School, The

Problem of Thor Bridge, The

Red Circle, The

Reigate Squires, The

Resident Patient, The

Scandal in Bohemia, A

Second Stain, The

Shoscombe Old Place

Sign of the Four, The

Six Napoleons, The

Solitary Cyclist, The

Study in Scarlet, A

Sussex Vampire, The

Three Garridebs, The

Three Students, The

Thor Bridge, The Problem of

Valley of Fear, The

 

Notes to the Checklist

 

 


 

Angels of Darkness (#111)

While not one of the 60 official Holmes stories, this play does contain related material by Conan Doyle.  Sherlock Holmes does not appear, but there is a character named Dr. John Watson and the story involves many of the events of the Mormon episode in A Study in Scarlet

 

Partial manuscript with the first 29 pages reproduced, including a title page and several versos with short additions.  The title page shows that "A Study in Scarlet" was stricken and replaced with "Angels of Darkness."  This play is not included in Doubleday and has only been published in the facsimile noted below.

 

Appears in:

Angels of Darkness: A Drama in Three Acts by Arthur Conan Doyle, edited with an introduction by Peter E. Blau.  (New York: The Baker Street Irregulars in cooperation with the Toronto Public Library, 2001).  Part of the Baker Street Irregulars Manuscript Series.  This volume includes a partial manuscript facsimile, a complete manuscript transcription, and related essays.  Available at the Baker Street Journal website.

Index


 

 

Black Peter (#101)

Opening page of story, 29 lines of text.  (Doubleday pp. 558-559)

Headed: The Return of Sherlock Holmes | VI | The Adventure of Black Peter

Starts: I have never known my friend to be in better form, both mental and…

Ends: …names with which he concealed his own formidable identity.  He had…

 

Appears in:

Dinner Handout by Norman S. Nolan for the 4th annual dinner of The Scandalous Bohemians of New Jersey in an edition of 50 copies (from caption at bottom of facsimile).

Index


 

 

The Cardboard Box (#111)

Fragment of two sentences from the story, 4 lines of text.  This same text was used in The Resident Patient when the mind-reading episode was transposed to that story.  (Doubleday p. 888; also p. 423)

Text: …as to my companion neither the country nor the sea presented the slightest attraction to him.  He loved to lie in the very centre of five millions of people with his filaments stretching out and running through them, responsive to every little rumour or suspicion of unsolved crime.

 

Appears in:

The Collector's Book of Detective Fiction by Eric Quayle.  (London: Studio Vista, 1972), p. 59.

 

Elementary My Dear Watson: Sherlock Holmes centenary; his life & times by Graham Nown.  (Topsfield, Mass.: Salem House Publishers, 1987), p. 19.

 

The Original Illustrated Arthur Conan Doyle compiled by Frank Oppel.  (Secaucus, New Jersey: Castle Books, 1981), p. 8.  (Facsimile reprint on pp. 3-9 of August 1892 Strand article "A Day with Dr. Conan Doyle" by Harry How.)

 

The Sherlock Holmes Scrapbook, 2nd ed., edited by Peter Haining.  (New York: Crescent Books, 1986), p. 30.  Also in 1st edition (New York: Clarkson N. Potter, 1974).

 

Sherlock Holmes Journal, Summer 1980, vol. 14, nos. 3&4, p. 81. ("Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: 1859-1930" by Anthony Howlett on pp. 75-81.)

 

Strand Magazine, August 1892, vol. 4, no. 20, p. 187.  ("A Day with Dr. Conan Doyle" by Harry How on pp. 182-8.)

 

Strand Magazine (New York), September 1892, vol. 4, no. 20, p. 187.  ("A Day with Dr. Conan Doyle" by Harry How on pp. 182-8.) 

Index


 

 

Charles Augustus Milverton (#101)

Opening page of story, 26 lines of text.  The last part of the title was originally "the Worst man in London," but this was stricken and the words "Charles Augustus Milverton" were written in above the original text.  In the final line the manuscript says "almost" but the published version uses "about."  (Doubleday p. 572)

Headed: The Return of Sherlock Holmes | VII | The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

Starts: It is years since the incidents of which I speak took place…

Ends: "Hum! He's almost due.  Do you feel a creeping…

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: Printed Books and Manuscripts (New York – 9 June 1999), Lot 98, p. 99.  Sold with an original drawing by Frederic Dorr Steele of Milverton.  A description is listed on pages 98 and 100.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)  Also includes Charles Augustus Milverton #102 and Charles Augustus Milverton #104.

 

Detroit News, 23 June 1949, p. 70.  ("Library Shows Conan Doyle Treasures" by Russell McLauchlin on p. 70.)

 

Milvertonians of Hampstead Christmas card for 1963, front.  This card was approximately 5 x 7 inches and includes five paragraphs of notes by Michael and Mollie Hardwick on the inside left page.  The reproduction is quite readable.

Index

 

Charles Augustus Milverton (#102)

Page 22, the last page of the manuscript, 5 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 582)

Starts: …mouth and the strong little chin beneath it.  Then I caught my…

Ends:…away from the window.

Signed: Arthur Conan Doyle | Undershaw | Hindhead

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: Printed Books and Manuscripts (New York – 9 June 1999), Lot 98, p. 100.  Sold with an original drawing by Frederic Dorr Steele of Milverton.  A description is listed on pages 98 and 100.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)  Also includes Charles Augustus Milverton #101 and Charles Augustus Milverton #104.

Index

 

Charles Augustus Milverton (#104)

Partial upper cover of the bound manuscript inscribed by Doyle. 

Left top corner:  Sherlock Holmes | A. Conan Doyle | The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: Printed Books and Manuscripts (New York – 9 June 1999), Lot 98, p. 98.  Sold with an original drawing by Frederic Dorr Steele of Milverton.  A description is listed on pages 98 and 100.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)  Also includes Charles Augustus Milverton #101 and Charles Augustus Milverton #102.

Index


 

 

The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax (see "L" for Lady Frances)


 

 

The Dying Detective (#099)

Complete manuscript, including title page, opening page, and pages numbered 2 – 18 in the upper right corner.  The page numbers were likely added by someone else, as was a faint note at the top of the opening page that appears to say "2 C | Watt | [illegible]."  Text appears on only one side of each leaf of paper, although the backs of some are reproduced to show notes or ink blotting.  See entries below for details on specific pages.  Pages 9-11 are in the handwriting of Conan Doyle's secretary Major A. H. Wood.

 

Appears in:

The Adventure of the Dying Detective by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  ([London]: Westminster Libraries and The Arthur Conan Doyle Society, 1991).  A facsimile of the entire manuscript with an Introduction by Julian Symons and Afterword by Owen Dudley Edwards.   This book is still available from Calabash Press.

Index

 

The Dying Detective (#101)

Page 1, the opening page of the story, 32 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 932)

Headed: The Adventure of the Dying Detective

Starts: Mrs. Hudson, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes, was a…

Ends:…this illness back with him.  He took to his bed on Wednesday afternoon and…

 

Appears in:

The Case Files of Sherlock Holmes: The Dying Detective edited by Christopher and Barbara Roden.  (Ashcroft, British Columbia: Calabash Press, 1996), p. 136.  ("A Study in Manuscript" by Christopher Roden on pp. 136-143.)  Also includes The Dying Detective #111.  Available from Calabash Press.

 

Christie's catalogue: Important Books and Manuscripts (London – 28 April 1966), Lot 190, p. 78.  A description is listed on page 77.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)

 

Sherlock Holmes Journal, Summer 1991, vol. 20, no. 2, p. 51. ("Two of the Most Remarkable Stories Ever Penned" by Catherine Cooke on pp. 50-53.)

 

Also appears as part of The Dying Detective #099.

Index

 

The Dying Detective (#102)

Page 18, the last page of the manuscript, 24 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 941)

Starts: …not cure.  With vaseline upon one's forehead, belladonna in…

Ends:…nutritious at Simpson's would not be out of place".

Signed: Arthur Conan Doyle | Crowborough | July 27 / 13

 

Appears in:

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Centenary 1859-1959.  (London: John Murray, 1959) (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday & Co., n.d.), p. 105.  Includes a Preface by Adrian Conan Doyle and an Introduction by P. Weil-Nordon.

 

Also appears as part of The Dying Detective #099.

Index

 

The Dying Detective (#111)

Part of page 9, 23 lines of text.  (Doubleday pp. 936-937)

Starts: My humble name & title did not appear to impress…

Ends:…and was in the room.

 

Appears in:

The Case Files of Sherlock Holmes: The Dying Detective edited by Christopher and Barbara Roden.  (Ashcroft, British Columbia: Calabash Press, 1996), p. 139.  ("A Study in Manuscript" by Christopher Roden on pp. 136-143.)  Also includes The Dying Detective #101.  Available from Calabash Press.

 

Also appears as part of The Dying Detective #099.

Index


 

 

The Empty House (#101)

Opening page of story, 16 lines of text. (Doubleday p. 483)

Headed: The Return of Sherlock Holmes. | I | The Adventure of the Empty House

Starts: It was in the spring of the year 1894 that…

Ends:…adventurous life.  Even now after this long interval I…

 

Appears in:

Back to Baker Street: An Appreciation of Sherlock Holmes & London edited by Roger Johnson and Jean Upton (London: The Sherlock Holmes Society of London, 1994), p. 28.  ("'What's in a Name? An Examination of the Manuscript of 'The Empty House'" by Jean Upton on pp. 28-33.)  Available from the SHSL website.  Also includes The Empty House #112, 113, and 114.

Index

 

The Empty House (#111)

Interior page of story, 19 lines of text.  Manuscript page number not given.  The last three sentences on the page end with exclamation points, but these were changed to question marks in the published text.  (Doubleday pp. 485-6)

Starts: …and "The Holy War" – a bargain every one of them.  With…

Ends:…climbing out of that awful abyss!"

 

Appears in:

Maggs Bros. Catalogue no. 436: Original manuscripts and collections of autograph letters of celebrated authors, to which are appended autograph letters of Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson.  (London: Maggs Bros., 1923), plate 8.  Item #112 with description on page 78.

Index

 

The Empty House (#112)

Page 19 of the manuscript, 19 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 488)

Starts: …convincing an account of my unhappy end had you not…

Ends:…named Sigerson, but I am sure that it never occurred…

 

Appears in:

Back to Baker Street: An Appreciation of Sherlock Holmes & London edited by Roger Johnson and Jean Upton (London: The Sherlock Holmes Society of London, 1994), p. 31.  ("'What's in a Name? An Examination of the Manuscript of 'The Empty House'" by Jean Upton on pp. 28-33.)  Available from the SHSL website.  Also includes The Empty House #101, 113, and 114.

Index

 

The Empty House (#113)

Page 35 of the manuscript, 19 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 492)

Starts: …without reading Nature's plainest danger signals. He took no…

Ends:…still remains unrivalled."

 

Appears in:

Back to Baker Street: An Appreciation of Sherlock Holmes & London edited by Roger Johnson and Jean Upton (London: The Sherlock Holmes Society of London, 1994), p. 32.  ("'What's in a Name? An Examination of the Manuscript of 'The Empty House'" by Jean Upton on pp. 28-33.)  Available from the SHSL website.  Also includes The Empty House #101, 112, and 114.

Index

 

The Empty House (#114)

Page 39 of the manuscript, 19 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 493)

Starts: …gown of Holmes so draped round it that the illusion from…

Ends:…I should like to discuss with you."

 

Appears in:

Back to Baker Street: An Appreciation of Sherlock Holmes & London edited by Roger Johnson and Jean Upton (London: The Sherlock Holmes Society of London, 1994), p. 33.  ("'What's in a Name? An Examination of the Manuscript of 'The Empty House'" by Jean Upton on pp. 28-33.)  Available from the SHSL website.  Also includes The Empty House #101, 112, and 113.

Index


 

 

The Final Problem (#111)

Fragment from an interior page near the end, 8 lines of text.  The Doubleday edition places the salutation on a separate line and adds "[it said]:" after it.  (Doubleday p. 479)

Starts: My dear Watson – I write these few lines by the…

Ends:…had formed of his abilities.

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Gasogene, 1961, vol. 1, no. 2, p. 34.  ("Sherlock Holmes Letter" on p. 34)

 

Baker Street Journal, June 1962, vol. 12, no. 2, p. 78.  ("Graphologists in the Canon" by Martin J. Swanson on pp. 73-80.)  Part of the fragment is enlarged for handwriting analysis and this obscures other parts of the fragment.

 

Bloomington by Gaslight: Sherlock Holmes in the Lilly Library by Stephen H. Cape, web editor Becky Cape.  Indiana University Bloomington Libraries.

Exhibit home.  Also includes The Red Circle #101 and 102.

MS image (Aug. 30, 2003).

 

The First Hundred Years of Detective Fiction, 1841-1941 by David Randall (Lilly Library).  (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Lilly Library , 1973), p. 22.  Part of a Lilly Library exhibition catalog for July-September, 1973 (Lilly Library publication no. 18).  Small 1.5 x 2 inch reproduction.  Also includes The Red Circle #101.

 

The Magic Door, Summer 2004, vol. 7, no. 1, p. 3.  ("The Lilly Collection" by Rebecca Cape on pp. 1, 3, 6.).  Also includes The Red Circle #101.

 

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, the Sherlock Holmes Reference Library, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, edited with annotations by Leslie S. Klinger.  (Indianapolis: Gasogene Books, 1999), p. 272.

Index


 

 

The Golden Pince-Nez (#101)

Opening page of story, 19 lines of text. (Doubleday p. 607)

Headed: The Return of Sherlock Holmes | IX | The Adventure of the Golden Pince-nez.

Starts: When I look at the three massive manuscript…

Ends:…Place which includes not only the lamentable death of…

 

Appears in:

Modern British Fiction by John R. Payne.  (Austin: University of Texas, 1972), p. 20.

 

Strand Magazine, December 1924, vol. 68, no. 408, p. 644.  ("How Novelists Write Their Books: Part III" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.)  This page fragment includes 8 lines of text.  The last line in this reproduction ends "terrible death of Crosby the banker.  Here also I find an…".   The text of this article, but not the manuscript reproduction, is reprinted in "What I Think": a symposium on books and other things by famous writers of today edited by H. Greenhough Smith  (London: George Newnes, [1927]) on pp. 39-42.

Index

 

The Golden Pince-Nez (#104)

Cover of the bound manuscript with presentation inscription by Doyle.  This cover and inscription were added after publication of the story.

Left top corner:  Sherlock Holmes Original MS. from Arthur Conan Doyle to H. Greenhough Smith

Right top corner: A Souvenir of 20 years of collaboration.  Feb. 8 / 16

 

Appears in:

Seventy: the world of books, arts and letters, circa 1455-1968 by Lew David Feldman.  (New York: House of El Dieff, Inc., 1969).  Item #21 in the catalogue for 1970.  This catalogue also contains Conan Doyle manuscript and typescript material on spiritualism and a collection of Hornung manuscripts.  De Waal cites this as the first page of the manuscript reproduced on the catalogue's cover, but it is actually the manuscript cover reproduced on an interior catalogue page.

Index


 

 

The Greek Interpreter (#101)

Opening page of story, 20 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 435)

Headed: The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter

Starts: During my long and intimate acquaintance with Mr. …

Ends:…point under discussion was how far any singular gift…

 

Appears in:

Antiquarian Bookman, February 22, 1965, vol. 35, no. 8, p. 729.  The reproduction is quite small and not very readable.  Parts of other pages, especially the final page, are also shown but are not readable.  Also includes A Scandal in Bohemia #101.

 

Christie's catalogue: Important Literary and Illuminated Manuscripts, Autograph Letters and Printed Books (London – 18 December 1964), Lot 71, p. 25.  A description is listed on page 24.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)

 

Christie's Review of the Year: October 1964 – July 1965 by Christie, Manson & Woods.  (London: Christie, Manson & Woods, 1965), p. 180.  Brief discussion on page 181. 

 

Sherlock Holmes Journal, Spring 1965, vol. 7, no. 2, p. 34.  ("A Homing Pigeon" by Lord Donegall on p. 34.)

Index

 

The Greek Interpreter (#111)

Interior page of story, 22 lines of text.  A "16" appears written over the text and may be the manuscript page number.  (Doubleday p. 440) 

Starts: …into the circle of dim light which enabled me to see him…

Ends: 'You know what awaits you then?'

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: Valuable Autograph Letters, Historical Documents, and Music Manuscripts (London – 5 May 1982), Sale code Boudicca-2379, Lot 102, p. 44.  A description is listed on page 45.   The manuscript sold for £15,660 including buyer's premium.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)

 

Christie's Review of the Season 1982 edited by John Herbert.  (New York: Abbeville Press/Christie's, 1982), p. 166.  Sold 5 May 1982 in London for £15,660 ($28,501) including buyer's premium.

Index


 

 

His Last Bow (see "L" for Last Bow)


 

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (#111)

Interior page of Chapter 12 of the story, 68 lines of text in combination with The Hound of the Baskervilles #112.  An "8" appears to the left of the text and may be the manuscript page number for this installment.  Reproduced manuscript text is too small to read reliably.  (Doubleday p. 744)

Starts: A low moan had fallen upon our ears…

Ends: [Uncle and nephew have been…]

 

Appears in:

Sixty-Four: Collections of British and American Literature… by Lew David Feldman.  (New York: House of El Dieff, Inc., 1964).  Item #16 in the catalog for 1964.

Index

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (#112)

Interior page of Chapter 12 of the story, 68 lines of text in combination with The Hound of the Baskervilles #111.  A "9" appears to the left of the text and may be the manuscript page number for this installment.  Reproduced manuscript text is too small to read reliably.  (Doubleday pp. 744-5)

Starts: […murdered, the one frightened to death by the very sight of a beast which… ]

Ends: "A beard!  A beard!  The man has a beard!"

 

Appears in:

Sixty-Four: Collections of British and American Literature… by Lew David Feldman.  (New York: House of El Dieff, Inc., 1964).  Item #16 in the catalog for 1964.

Index

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (#113)

Letter from Conan Doyle dated 26 January 1902 on stationary labeled "Undershaw, Hindhead, Haslemere" containing the dedication to the first American edition of the book.  The letter is not in Doyle's usual handwriting, and it is likely that it was written and signed for Doyle by Charles Terry, his secretary during Doyle's Boer War service in South Africa.  (Doubleday p. 668)

Dated: 26.1 | 1902

Starts: My dear Robinson

Ends:…all thanks.

Signed: Yours most truly | A. Conan Doyle | [stylized capital letter] T

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Journal, October 1960, vol. 10, no. 4, p. 229.  ("Bibliographical Notes" by Edgar W. Smith on pp. 227-230.)

 

The Critic, May 1902, vol. 15, no. 5, p. 390.

Index

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (#114)

Opening page of Chapter 13 of the story, 31 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 747)

Headed: Chapter XIII | Fixing the Nets

Starts: "We're at close grips at last" said Holmes, as we. …

Ends: "Found dead without a mark upon him.  You…

 

Appears in:

Pepper & Stern Rare Books Catalogue 25 (Santa Barbara, CA: Pepper & Stern Rare Books, Inc., 1989), Item 45.  Offered at $20,000.00.

Index

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (#115)

Complete manuscript for Chapter 11, 16 reproduced pages, apparently unnumbered and on one side of the paper only.  (Doubleday pp. 732-739).  See The Hound of the Baskervilles #116 and #117 for details on first and last pages.

 

Appears in:

The Hound of the Baskervilles: Chapter XI by Arthur Conan Doyle.  BSI Manuscript Series general editor Leslie S. Klinger.  (New York: The Baker Street Irregulars in cooperation with the New York Public Library—Berg Collection, 2001).  Part of the Baker Street Irregulars Manuscript Series.  This volume includes a facsimile of Chapter 11 of the manuscript, a transcription of the material, and related essays.  The facsimile lacks the original marginal notes but at least some notes are included in the transcription.  Available at the Baker Street Journal website.

Index

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (#116)

Opening page of Chapter 11 of the story, 30 lines of text.  (Doubleday pp. 732-733)

Headed: Chapter XI | The Man on the Tor.

Starts: The extract from my private Diary which forms the…

Ends: …new quest.

 

Appears in:

The Magic Door, Summer 2002, vol. 5, no. 1, p. 3.  ("The Berg Collection at 60: A Tale of Literary Taste and Scholarship" by Isaac Gewirtz, edited by Peter Wood, on pp. 3, 6.)  Clear if small reproductions at 10.4 cm that show the page margins.  Also includes The Hound of the Baskervilles #117.

 

Nightmare: The Birth of Horror by Christopher Frayling.  (London: BBC Books, 1996), p. 190.  The facsimile lacks the original marginal notes.

 

Also appears as part of The Hound of the Baskervilles #115.

Index

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (#117)

The last page of Chapter 11 (page 16), 20 lines of text.  The first two lines of text are stricken.  (Doubleday p. 739)

Starts:  …and yet as I looked at them my soul shared none of the…

Ends: …comfortable outside than in".

 

Appears in:

The Magic Door, Summer 2002, vol. 5, no. 1, p. 3.  ("The Berg Collection at 60: A Tale of Literary Taste and Scholarship" by Isaac Gewirtz, edited by Peter Wood, on pp. 3, 6.)  Clear if small reproductions at 10.4 cm that show the page margins.  Also includes The Hound of the Baskervilles #116.

 

Also appears as part of The Hound of the Baskervilles #115.

Index

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (#118)

Partial reproduction of first manuscript page for Chapter 7, 24 lines of text with margins cropped and many lines obscured by a reproduction of a Paget drawing.  (Doubleday p. 704)

Starts: The beauty of the following morning did something to ef…[cropped]

Ends: "There are only two woman in the house, S…[cropped]

 

Appears in:

The Distinguished Library of Detective-Crime-Mystery Fiction. Formed by Florence and Edward Kaye, Covering the Period 1591-1974. (New York: House of El Dieff, Inc., [1974]), front cover.

Index

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (#119)

Interior page of Chapter 1 of the story (likely the second or third page of the manuscript), 34 lines of text plus 3 insertion lines.  (Doubleday pp. 670-671)

Starts: "To that extent."

Ends: …under thirty, amiable, unambitious, absent minded, and the…

 

Appears in:

Pepper & Stern Rare Books Catalogue: Selections from the Sherlock Holmes Collection of Dr. James Bliss Austin (Santa Barbara, CA: Pepper & Stern Rare Books, Inc., [1990]), Item 94.  Offered at $20,000.00. 

Index

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (#120)

Interior page of Chapter 6 of the story.  (Doubleday p. 699)

Starts: …said to be a young lady of attractions.  There is Mr. Frankland…

Ends: …and avoid the moor in those hours of darkness when the...

 

Appears in:

Sotheby's catalogue: The Victor and Irene Murr Jacobs Collection (New York – 29 October 1996), Lot 376.  Reproduction is on the page before the lot description.

Index

 


 

 

The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax (#101)

Opening page of the story, 24 lines of text.  The first word of the first sentence is inserted above the first line of text.  (Doubleday p. 942)

Headed: The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

Starts: "But why Turkish?" asked Mr. Sherlock Holmes gazing fixedly at…

Ends:…have been symmetrical.  Therefore you sat at the side.  Therefore you…

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: Important Autograph Letters and Manuscripts (New York – 21 October 1977), Lot 90, p. 94.  A description is listed on page 95.   The manuscript sold for $9,500.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, International).

Index


 

 

His Last Bow (#102)

Last page of story, 9 lines of text.  The last word on the page was originally "could" but this was struck and the word "can" written in above it.  The final quotation mark is missing.  (Doubleday p. 980)

Starts: "Good old Watson!  You are the one fixed point…

Ends:…cashed early, for the drawer is quite capable of stopping it, if he can.

Signed: Arthur Conan Doyle | Crowborough | March 7 / 17

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: Valuable Autograph Letters, Music Manuscripts and Historical Documents (London – 28 March 1984), Sale code: Banker-2859, Lot 171, p. 68.  The manuscript sold for £16,740.  Lot 170 was the manuscript for "The Poison Belt" and includes a reproduction of its first page.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)

 

Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration by Allen Eyles.  (New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1986), p. 61.

 

Sherlock Holmes Journal, Winter 1984, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 4.  ("Another Manuscript Sold" by Nicholas Utechin on p. 4.)

Index


 

 

The Lion's Mane (#099)

Complete manuscript with pages numbered 1 – 42 in the upper right corner.  The page numbers were likely added by someone else, as was a faint note at the top of the opening page that appears to say "2 Cos | to Mr. Watt | dr to Crowborough."  Text appears on only one side of each leaf of paper, although the backs of some are reproduced to show notes or ink blotting.  Unlike many of the manuscripts, this one was heavily revised.  There is no separate title page.  See other entries for details on specific pages. 

 

Appears in:

The Adventure of the Lion's Mane by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  ([London]: Westminster Libraries and The Sherlock Holmes Society of London, 1992).  A facsimile of the entire manuscript with an Introduction by Colin Dexter and Afterword by Richard Lancelyn Green.   This book is still available from Calabash Press.

Index

 

The Lion's Mane (#101)

Page 1, the opening page of the story, approximately 20 lines of text with heavy revision.  The final sentences on this page were stricken and replaced with new text written above them.  (Doubleday p. 1083)

Headed: The Adventure of the Lion's Mane.

Starts: It is a most singular thing that a problem which…

Ends:…I searched for the mystery of the Lion's mane.

 

Appears in:

Sherlock Holmes Journal, Summer 1991, vol. 20, no. 2, p. 52. ("Two of the Most Remarkable Stories Ever Penned" by Catherine Cooke on pp. 50-53.)

 

Also appears in The Lion's Mane #099.

Index


 

 

The Mazarin Stone (#101)

Opening page of the story, 24 lines of text.  The last word of the title was originally "Diamond" but this was stricken and the word "Stone" was written in above the original text.    (Doubleday p. 1012)

Headed: The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone

Starts: It was pleasant to Dr. Watson to find himself once more in the untidy room…

Ends:…workman looking for a job.  Today he was an old woman.  Fairly took me…

 

Appears in:

Sotheby's catalogue (New York – 11 October 1991), Lot 122.  Color reproduction for Lot 122.  Also includes The Mazarin Stone #111.

Index

 

The Mazarin Stone (#111)

Fourth page of the manuscript, 28 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 1014)

Starts: …see you once more in the customary armchair.  You have not, I hope, learned to…

Ends:…net, and I have my fish.  But I have not got the stone.  What is the use…

 

Appears in:

Sotheby's catalogue (New York – 11 October 1991), Lot 122.  Color reproduction for Lot 122.  Also includes The Mazarin Stone #101.

Index


 

 

The Missing Three-Quarter (#101)

Opening page of story, 31 lines of text plus insertions.  (Doubleday p. 622)

Headed: The Adventure of the Missing Three Quarter

Starts: We were fairly accustomed to receive weird telegrams at Baker…

Ends:…tempestuous life.

 

Appears in:

The Annotated Sherlock Holmes, 2nd ed., by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, edited, with annotations by William S. Baring-Gould.  (New York: Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., 1977), vol. 2, p. 490.

 

Baker Street Journal, January 1955, vol. 5, no. 1, p. 25.

 

The Light Is Dark Enough: The Sherlock Holmes Society of London Cambridge Expedition 1989 edited by Jonathan McCafferty.  (London: The Sherlock Holmes Society of London, 1989), before p. 1.  ("The Missing Three Quarter--A resumé of the case" by Percy Metcalfe.)

 

Sherlock Holmes Journal, Summer 1971, vol. 10, no. 2, p. 55.  ("A Tourist Guide to the London of Sherlock Holmes: Walk II" by Charles O. Merriman on pp. 54-56.)  Also reprinted as part of the booklet listed below.

 

A Tourist Guide to the London of Sherlock Holmes by Charles O. Merriman.  (No place, no publisher, no date), p. 7.  This 16-page booklet is a facsimile reprint of Merriman's 1970-1972 series in the Sherlock Holmes Journal with two small changes not affecting the manuscript reproduction.

Index


 

 

The Priory School (#099)

Complete manuscript, including title page and 71 un-numbered pages.  Both sides of the facsimile pages contain story text, but the original manuscript was written on only one side of the paper.  See other entries for details on specific pages. 

 

Appears in:

The Adventure of the Priory School by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  (Santa Barbara: Santa Teresa Press, 1985).  A facsimile of the entire manuscript with an Introduction by Len Deighton.

Index

 

The Priory School (#101)

Page 1, the opening page of the story, 15 lines of text.  (Doubleday pp. 538-9)

Headed: The Return of Sherlock Holmes | V | The Adventure of the Priory School. 

Starts: We have had some dramatic entrances and exits upon… 

Ends:…we stared in silent amazement at this ponderous piece of…

 

Appears in:

Marvin P. Epstein holiday greeting card for 1976, front.  This card was approximately 6 x 4 inches and printed in an edition limited to 221 copies.

 

Pepper & Stern Catalogue: The Marvin P. Epstein Sherlock Holmes Collection (Santa Barbara, CA: Pepper & Stern Rare Books, Inc., 1985), p. [6].

 

Sotheby Parke Bernet catalogue: Oriental Miniatures, American Books, American Historical and other Autographs, Fine Books and Literature (New York – 27 & 28 February 1974), Sale No. 3605, Lot 360.  The manuscript sold on 28 February 1974 for $15,000.  (Sotheby Parke Bernet, Inc.)

 

Art at Auction: The Year at Sotheby Parke Bernet, 1973-74.  (London: Sotheby Parke Bernet & New York: Viking Press, 1974), p. 210.  Sold 28 Feb 1974 in New York for $15,000 (£6,250).

 

Also appears in The Priory School #099.

Index


 

 

The Problem of Thor Bridge (see "T" for Thor Bridge)


 

 

The Red Circle (#099)

Complete manuscript, including title page and 23 pages of text.  Signed at end "Arthur Conan Doyle. | Windlesham | Crowborough."  (Doubleday pp. 901-913)

 

Appears in:

Mandate for Murder edited, with an introduction, by Roy Pilot, Gianluca Salvatori, and Enrico Solito.  BSI Manuscript Series general editor Leslie S. Klinger.  (New York: The Baker Street Irregulars in cooperation with the Lilly Library of Indiana University, 2006).  Part of the Baker Street Irregulars Manuscript Series.  This volume includes a facsimile of the manuscript, a transcription of the material, and related essays.  The facsimile shows rectos only and is reduced to 7.0 x 4.5 inches.  Available at the Baker Street Journal website.

Index

 

The Red Circle (#100)

Title page for manuscript.

Text: Sherlock Holmes Series | The Adventure of the Red Circle | A Conan Doyle | Original MS

 

Appears in:

Seventy-One: the world of books, arts and letters, circa 1170-1970 by Lew David Feldman.  (New York: House of El Dieff, Inc., 1971).  Item #15 in the catalog for 1971.  Also includes The Red Circle #101.

 

The World Bibliography of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson by Ronald Burt De Waal. (Boston: New York Graphics Society, 1974), p. 43.  Also includes The Red Circle #101.

Index

 

The Red Circle (#101)

Opening page of story, 31 lines of text.  The last two words of the title were originally "Bloomsbury Lodger," but these were stricken and the words "Red Circle" were written in above the original text.  (Doubleday pp. 901-2)

Headed: The Adventure of the Red Circle

Starts: "Well, Mrs. Warren, I cannot see that you have any…

Ends: …husband is as nervous over it as I am, but he is out at his…

 

Appears in:

The Annotated Sherlock Holmes, 2nd ed., by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, edited, with annotations by William S. Baring-Gould.  (New York: Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., 1977), vol. 2, p. 704.  Includes only part of the opening page, reproducing the heading and first 12 lines of text.  The last line in this reproduction ends "But he would never cease talking of it – your…".

 

Baker Street Journal 1956 Christmas Annual, [vol. 6, no. 5], p. 46.  Includes only part of the opening page, reproducing the heading and first 12 lines of text.   The last line in this reproduction ends "But he would never cease talking of it – your…".

 

Bloomington by Gaslight: Sherlock Holmes in the Lilly Library by Stephen H. Cape, web editor Becky Cape.  Indiana University Bloomington Libraries.

Exhibit home/.  Also includes The Red Circle #102 and The Final Problem #111.

MS Image (Aug. 30, 2003).

 

Dictionary of Literary Biography, Volume 18; Victorian Novelists After 1885 edited by Ira B. Nadel and William E. Freedman.  (Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Company, 1983), p. 90.  ("Sir Arthur Conan Doyle" by George Grella and Phillip B. Dematteis on pp. 77-94.)

 

The First Hundred Years of Detective Fiction, 1841-1941 by David Randall (Lilly Library).  (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Lilly Library , 1973), p. 21.  Part of a Lilly Library exhibition catalog for July-September, 1973 (Lilly Library publication no. 18).  Small 3 x 2 inch reproduction.  Also includes The Final Problem #111.

 

The Magic Door, Summer 2004, vol. 7, no. 1, p. 6.  ("The Lilly Collection" by Rebecca Cape on pp. 1, 3, 6.)  Includes only part of the opening page, reproducing the heading and first 17 lines of text.   The last line in this reproduction ends "…and also to do him justice upon the side of kindliness.  The…".   Also includes The Final Problem #111.

 

Scribner's Catalogue Number 126: English Literature: First Editions, Manuscripts.  (New York: The Scribner Book Store, [1943?]).  Item 62[b].

 

Seventy-One: the world of books, arts and letters, circa 1170-1970 by Lew David Feldman.  (New York: House of El Dieff, Inc., 1971).  Item #15 in the catalog for 1971.  Also includes The Red Circle #100.

 

The World Bibliography of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson by Ronald Burt De Waal. (Boston: New York Graphics Society, 1974), p. 43.  Also includes The Red Circle #100.

Index

 

The Red Circle (#102)

The last page of the story, 9 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 913)

Starts: …Gregson answered  "If what she says is corroborated I do not…

Ends: …Garden.  If we hurry we might be in time for the second act"

Signed: Arthur Conan Doyle. | Windlesham | Crowborough.

 

Appears in:

Bloomington by Gaslight: Sherlock Holmes in the Lilly Library by Stephen H. Cape, web editor Becky Cape.  Indiana University Bloomington Libraries.

Exhibit home/.  Also includes The Red Circle #101 and The Final Problem #111.

MS Image (Aug. 30, 2003).

Index

 

The Red Circle (#111)

Part of a paragraph from an interior page of the story, 8 lines of text.  The manuscript lists "nineteen" as the count for the second set of flashes, while published accounts use "twenty."  The correct number is nineteen since there is no "J" in the Italian alphabet. (Doubleday p. 907)

Starts: "Someone is moving in that room" said Holmes…

Ends: …should mean T.  AT – that's intelligible enough! Another T…

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Journal, January 1960, vol. 10, no. 1, p. 41.  ("Bibliographical Notes" by Edgar W. Smith on pp. 39-41.)

Index


 

 

The Reigate Squires (#102)

The last page of the story, a fragment with 11 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 411)

Starts: "It is very much the sort of thing that I expected" said he…

Ends: …to Baker Street tomorrow.

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: The Conan Doyle Collection (London – 19 May 2004), Lot 15, p. 35.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)  Also includes A Study in Scarlet #112 and The Sussex Vampire #101.  See also the sale information page.

Index


 

 

The Resident Patient (#111)

Fragment of two sentences transposed from the mind-reading episode in The Cardboard Box to The Resident Patient in the book version, 4 lines of text.   As such it is more properly classified with The Cardboard Box.  (Doubleday p. 423; also p. 888)

Text: …as to my companion neither the country nor the sea presented the slightest attraction to him.  He loved to lie in the very centre of five millions of people with his filaments stretching out and running through them, responsive to every little rumour or suspicion of unsolved crime.

 

Appears in:

See the citations for The Cardboard Box #111.

Index

 

The Resident Patient (#901)

Four words only.  Details not yet available. 

 

Appears in:

El Dieff catalog.  (New York: House of El Dieff, Inc., 1975).  If you have easy access to this item and would be willing to answer a few questions about it, please send me e-mail. 

Index


 

 

A Scandal in Bohemia (#101)

Opening page of story, 36 lines of text.  The manuscript clearly shows the word "of" in the title, but the published story uses the word "in" for "A Scandal IN Bohemia."  (Doubleday p. 161)

Headed: A Scandal of Bohemia

Starts: To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman.  I have seldom…

Ends:…mission which he had accomplished so delicately and…

 

Appears in:

Antiquarian Bookman, February 22, 1965, vol. 35, no. 8, p. 729.  The page is shown as mounted on a blank leaf.  However, the reproduction is small and not very readable.  Also includes The Greek Interpreter #101.

 

Life, 15 April 1946, vol. 20, no. 15, p. 102.  ("Rare Manuscripts" pp. 100-105.)  Also includes A Scandal in Bohemia #102.

 

Min Kaere Watson by Henry Lauritzen.  (Aalborg: Frede og L. C. Lauritzen's Forlag, 1954), p. 32.  Also published in English as My Dear Watson Tr. by Bjarne Nielsen. ([Copenhagen]: Antikvariat Pinkerton, 1982).   Both include the reproduction.  See De Waal C9476 and C9557.

 

Strand Magazine, October 1946, vol. 112, no. 670, p. 13.  The magazine changed its name to simply "Strand" starting with this issue and adopted a new cover style.  The manuscript page is photographed at an angle and part of it is obscured by a magnifying glass.  It appears that the photo was touched-up, with the head of the page being cleaned up and the title re-written.

 

Texas Monthly, January 1978, vol. 6, no. 1, p. 72.  ("The Last of the Big-Time Spenders" by Gene Lyons on pp. 66-73, 142-148.)  This page fragment includes the first 20 lines of text.  Parts of it are cut off or obscured by eyeglasses on top of the manuscript.  The article has no Sherlockian content but does provide a nice background on Harry Ransom and the building of the HRC library at the University of Texas.

Index

 

A Scandal in Bohemia (#102)

Last page of story, 16 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 175)

Headed: 30

Starts: "Irene's photograph!" he cried  "Certainly, if you…

Ends:…always under the honourable title of the woman.

Signed: A Conan Doyle | 2 Upper Wimpole Street | London W.

 

Appears in:

Life, 15 April 1946, vol. 20, no. 15, p. 102.  ("Rare Manuscripts" pp. 100-105.)  Also includes A Scandal in Bohemia #101.

Index


 

 

The Second Stain (#101)

Opening page of story, 31 lines of text.  (Doubleday pp. 650-651)

Headed: The Return of Sherlock Holmes | XIII | The Adventure of the Second Stain.

Starts: I had intended the Adventure of the Abbey Grange to be…

Ends: …Secretary for European Affairs and the most rising statesman in the…

 

Appears in:

American Art Association catalogue: Novelists and Illustrators of the XIXTH Century, Publications in the Original Parts, Forming a portion of the library of Mr. Frederick Corder of London, England… (New York – 26 & 27 January 1922), Lot 342, facing lot description.

 

Studies in Scarlet. (Dubuque, Iowa: Gasogene Press, [1989]), p. 83.  ("The 'Original MSS.': Studies in Canonical Beginnings" by Jon L. Lellenberg on pp. 77-89.)  Article also includes The Second Stain #115 and A Study in Scarlet #111.

Index

 

The Second Stain (#111)

Bottom portion of page 12 of the manuscript, 9 lines of text plus insertions.   The final line was originally as follows: "Now, Watson, what's the meaning of that?" asked Holmes.  The question was struck and the famous quotation was written in above the original text.  (Doubleday p. 657)

Starts: "Nay, Madame, there again you ask me more than…

Ends: "Now, Watson, the fair sex is your department" said Holmes,…

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Journal, September 1978, vol. 28, no. 3, p. 133.  ("The Second Hand in The Second Stain" by Richard Luman on pp. 132-136, 140.)  Reprinted in Sherlock Holmes by Gas-Lamp.  Article also includes The Second Stain #114.

 

Sherlock Holmes by Gas-Lamp: Highlights from the First Four Decades of The Baker Street Journal.  Edited by Philip A. Shreffler. (New York: Fordham University Press, 1989), pp. 316-323.  "The Second Hand in The Second Stain" by Richard Luman, reprinted from the Baker Street Journal, September 1978, vol. 28, no. 3.  Article also includes The Second Stain #114.

Index

 

The Second Stain (#112)

Partial interior page (likely p. 23) of the manuscript, 11 lines of text.  Since the final line consists of a single word, the penultimate line is also listed below.  Immediately following this section, the manuscript text switches to the handwriting of Miss Jean Leckie, who later became Sir Arthur's second wife.  (Doubleday p. 663)

Starts: "You are mad, Mr. Holmes!  You are mad!" she cried at last.

Ends: Her courage was admirable.  Even now she would not own | defeat.

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Journal, June 1976, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 96-97.  ("The Mystery of the Second Hand" by Herman Gelband on pp. 96-7.)  Also includes The Second Stain #113.

Index

 

The Second Stain (#113)

Partial interior page of manuscript (between pages 23 and 26), 10 lines of text.  The narrative continues with #115.  The text is in the handwriting of Miss Jean Leckie, who later became Sir Arthur's second wife. (Doubleday p. 664)

Starts: Holmes raised the Lady.

Ends:…Heaven I had never seen it!"

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Journal, June 1976, vol. 26, no. 2, p. 97.  ("The Mystery of the Second Hand" by Herman Gelband on pp. 96-7.)  Also includes The Second Stain #112.

 

Baker Street Miscellanea, December 1978, no. 16, p. 12.  ("The SECO Second Handwriting—Identified" by the Editors on pp. 12-14.)  Article reprinted in Serpentine Muse.

 

Serpentine Muse, Winter 1980, vol. 5, no. 1, p. 4.  ("The SECO Second Hand—Identified" by Jon Lellenberg on pp. 4-5, 8, and 14-16.)  Reprinted from Baker Street Miscellanea, December 1978, no. 16, with an editorial afterword by Evelyn A. Herzog.

Index

 

The Second Stain (#114)

Page 26 of the manuscript (possibly not the entire page), 21 lines of text.  An additional sentence appears in the published version of this section of text, but is not indicated on the manuscript.   All the text except the final line is in the handwriting of Miss Jean Leckie, who later became Sir Arthur's second wife.  The final line is in Conan Doyle's handwriting.   (Doubleday p. 664)

Starts: "It was a letter of mine.  Mr. Holmes –…

Ends: "Take your husband into your confidence"

                   

Appears in:

Baker Street Journal, September 1978, vol. 28, no. 3, p. 135.  ("The Second Hand in The Second Stain" by Richard Luman on pp. 132-136, 140.)  Reprinted in Sherlock Holmes by Gas-Lamp.  Article also includes The Second Stain #111.

 

Sherlock Holmes by Gas-Lamp: Highlights from the First Four Decades of The Baker Street Journal.  Edited by Philip A. Shreffler. (New York: Fordham University Press, 1989), pp. 316-323.  "The Second Hand in The Second Stain" by Richard Luman, reprinted from the Baker Street Journal, September 1978, vol. 28, no. 3.  Article also includes The Second Stain #111.

Index

 

The Second Stain (#115)

An interior page of manuscript (possibly not the entire page), 31 lines of text.  This section directly continues from #113 and ends approximately 70 words before #114.  The text is in the handwriting of Miss Jean Leckie, who later became Sir Arthur's second wife, and includes insertions by Sir Arthur.  (Doubleday p. 664)

Starts: "How can we return it?" Holmes muttered.

Ends: …of sorrow!  There is no woman in all London…

                   

Appears in:

Studies in Scarlet. (Dubuque, Iowa: Gasogene Press, [1989]), p. 87.  ("The 'Original MSS.': Studies in Canonical Beginnings" by Jon L. Lellenberg on pp. 77-89.)  Article also includes The Second Stain #101 and A Study in Scarlet #111.

Index


 

 

Shoscombe Old Place (#099)

Complete manuscript of 21 leaves, here entitled "The Adventure Of Shoscombe Abbey."  Signed "A. Conan Doyle, Crowborough, Sussex."

 

Appears in:

The Adventure Of Shoscombe Abbey by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  (Lausanne, Switzerland: Bibliothèque cantonale et universitaire de Lausanne, 2002).  A facsimile of the entire manuscript with an Introduction in French by Vincent Delay and two essays (one in French and the other in English) by Ernest Giddey.   Published in a limited edition of 200 copies.  Possibly still available from the University library website.  ISBN 2-88888-091-1

Index


 

 

The Sign of the Four (#101)

Opening page of story, 28 lines of text.  Story title in different handwriting.  A later "fair copy" version is listed in The Sign of the Four #103 and is collected with the entire MS.  As noted in the citation entries, several reproductions do not show the last three lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 89)

Headed: The Sign of the Four | Chapter I | The Science of deduction

Starts: Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the…

Ends: Yet upon that afternoon whether it was…

 

Appears in:

The Annotated Sherlock Holmes, 2nd ed., by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, edited, with annotations by William S. Baring-Gould.  (New York: Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., 1977), vol. 1, opposite p. 688.  The last three lines of text from the opening page are missing in this reproduction and instead it ends: "experience which I had had of his many."

 

Baker Street Journal, April 1954, vol. 4, no. 2, p. 126.  ("From the Editor's Commonplace Book" by Edgar W. Smith on pp. 120-128.)  The manuscript is described on page 125.  The last three lines of text from the opening page are missing in this reproduction and instead it ends: "experience which I had had of his many."

 

Baker Street Journal, December 1973, vol. 23, no. 4, p. 254.  (" '…To Make Inquiries About the Page…' " on pp. 253-255.  The last three lines of text from the opening page are missing in this reproduction and instead it ends: "experience which I had had of his many."  Article also includes The Sign of the Four #103.

 

San Diego Union, 12 January 1978, p. E-1. ("UCSD Easy Solution For Mystery Fan" by Jeannette Branin on pp. E-1&2.)

Index

 

The Sign of the Four (#103)

Opening page of story, 22 lines of text.  This is a later "fair copy" version written by Doyle and is collected with the entire MS.  See The Sign of the Four #101 for the original page.  This page drops a "the" from the title and mistakenly substitutes the word "manner" for "air" in line 16 of this copy.  (Doubleday p. 89)

Headed: The Sign of Four | by | A Conan Doyle | Chapter I | The Science of Deduction

Starts: Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the…

Ends: Yet upon that afternoon whether it was…

 

Appears in:

American Book Collector, September-October 1973, vol. 24, no. 1, cover.  Manuscript sold 23 September 1973 at the Hanzel Galleries, Chicago, for $51,000.  See page 13 for other sale information.

 

Baker Street Journal, December 1973, vol. 23, no. 4, p. 255.  (" '…To Make Inquiries About the Page…' " on pp. 253-255.)  Article also includes The Sign of the Four #101.

 

Sherlockian.Net edited by Chris Redmond.  ("Sherlockian.Net: A Manuscript.")

Site home: <http://www.sherlockian.net/>

Manuscript image (Aug. 30, 2003).

 

Sotheby's catalogue: Fine Books and Manuscripts (New York – 4 December 1996), Lot 71, frontispiece.  Color reproduction.

Index

 

The Sign of the Four (#111)

Partial reproduction of a manuscript page from Chapter 3, 14 lines of text with many lines obscured by a picture of Conan Doyle.  (Doubleday p. 98)

Starts: …very methodically examined it all over with…

Ends: …Small, Mahamet Singh, Abdullah Khan, Dost Akbar.  No, I …

 

Appears in:

New York Times, December 3, 1996, p. C13.  ("When Sherlock Got His Quirks" by Robin Pogrebin on pp. C13, C18.)

Index


 

 

The Six Napoleons (#099)

Complete manuscript, including title page and 25 pages of text.  Signed at end "Arthur Conan Doyle | Undershaw | Hindhead | Sept 15. 1903."  (Doubleday pp. 582-596)

 

Appears in:

The Napoleon Bust Business Again edited, with an introduction, by William Hyder.  BSI Manuscript Series general editor Leslie S. Klinger.  (New York: The Baker Street Irregulars in cooperation with the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery, 2004).  Part of the Baker Street Irregulars Manuscript Series.  This volume includes a facsimile of the manuscript, a transcription of the material, and related essays.  The facsimile shows rectos only and is reduced to 7.5 x 4.5 inches.  Available at the Baker Street Journal website.

Index


 

 

The Solitary Cyclist (#100)

Autograph title page for the bound manuscript. 

Text: Sherlock Holmes Series | The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist | A Conan Doyle | Original | Manuscript

 

Appears in:

Sotheby's catalogue: The Maurice F. Neville Collection of Modern Literature (Part II) (New York – 16 November 2004), Lot 509, p. 210.  A description is listed on pages 209-210.  Also includes The Solitary Cyclist #101 and he Solitary Cyclist #104.  See also the sale information page.

Index

 

The Solitary Cyclist (#101)

Opening page of story, 15 lines of text.  The last word of the title was originally "Man," but it was stricken and the word "Cyclist" was written in above the original text.  (Doubleday p. 526)

Headed: The Return of Sherlock Holmes | III | The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist.

Starts: From the years 1894 to 1901 inclusive Mr.…

Ends:…and dramatic quality of the solution.  For this reason I will…

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Journal, June 1972, vol. 22, no. 2, p. 73.  ("The Solitary Man-uscript" by Andrew J. Peck on pp. 71-73.)  Reprinted in Sherlock Holmes by Gas-Lamp.  Partial opening page of story, heading only.  Article also includes The Solitary Cyclist #111.

 

Baker Street Journal, Winter 2005, vol. 55, no. 4, p. 51.  ("The Trail of the Semi-Solitary Manuscript" by Randall Stock on pp. 46-54.)  Article also includes The Solitary Cyclist #112.

 

Sherlock Holmes by Gas-Lamp: Highlights from the First Four Decades of The Baker Street Journal.  Edited by Philip A. Shreffler. (New York: Fordham University Press, 1989), pp. 327-330.  "The Solitary Man-uscript" by Andrew J. Peck, reprinted from the Baker Street Journal, June 1972, vol. 22, no. 2.  Partial opening page of story, heading only.  Article also includes The Solitary Cyclist #111.

 

Sotheby's catalogue: The Maurice F. Neville Collection of Modern Literature (Part II) (New York – 16 November 2004), Lot 509, p. 209.  A description is listed on pages 209-210.  Also includes The Solitary Cyclist #100 and he Solitary Cyclist #104.  See also the sale information page.

Index

 

The Solitary Cyclist (#103)

Revised and re-categorized as The Solitary Cyclist #101

Index

 

The Solitary Cyclist (#104)

Upper cover of the bound manuscript inscribed by Doyle. 

Left top corner:  Sherlock Holmes | A Conan Doyle. | The Adventure of the | Solitary Cyclist.

 

Appears in:

Sotheby's catalogue: The Maurice F. Neville Collection of Modern Literature (Part II) (New York – 16 November 2004), Lot 509, p. 210.  A description is listed on pages 209-210.  Also includes The Solitary Cyclist #100 and he Solitary Cyclist #101.  See also the sale information page.

Index

 

The Solitary Cyclist (#111)

Page two of the manuscript, 19 lines of text.  In the second line of text, the word  "man" was stricken and the word "cyclist" was written in above the original text to match the "solitary cyclist" used in the title.  (Doubleday p. 527)

Starts: …now lay before the reader the facts connected with Miss Violet…

Ends:…occupied for the young lady had come with the determination to…

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Journal, June 1972, vol. 22, no. 2, p. 73.  ("The Solitary Man-uscript" by Andrew J. Peck on pp. 71-73.)  Reprinted in Sherlock Holmes by Gas-Lamp.  Article also includes The Solitary Cyclist #103.

 

Sherlock Holmes by Gas-Lamp: Highlights from the First Four Decades of The Baker Street Journal.  Edited by Philip A. Shreffler. (New York: Fordham University Press, 1989), pp. 327-330.  "The Solitary Man-uscript" by Andrew J. Peck, reprinted from the Baker Street Journal, June 1972, vol. 22, no. 2.  Article also includes The Solitary Cyclist #103.

 

 

The Solitary Cyclist (#112)

Front cover of first notebook used in writing the story.

Signed: Arthur Conan Doyle. | Undershaw | Hindhead

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Journal, Winter 2005, vol. 55, no. 4, p. 48.  ("The Trail of the Semi-Solitary Manuscript" by Randall Stock on pp. 46-54.)  Article also includes The Solitary Cyclist #101.

Index


 

 

A Study in Scarlet (#103)

See Angels of Darkness above for a related play that was either based on or was the basis for part of A Study in Scarlet.

Index

 

A Study in Scarlet (#111)

A page from Doyle's notebook concerning the creation of Sherlock Holmes, 19 lines of text.  Notes refer to "Sherrinford Holmes" and "Ormond Sacker" of "221B Upper Baker Street."  Related final text appears in Doubleday pp. 23-4.  As noted in the citation entries, some reproductions do not show the final word "genius" in the last line.

Headed: Study in Scarlet

Starts: Ormond Sacker – from Afghanistan

Ends:…sensational than clever but still he had analytical genius.

 

Appears in:

The Annotated Sherlock Holmes, 2nd ed., by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, edited, with annotations by William S. Baring-Gould.  (New York: Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., 1977), vol. 1, p. 11.  The last word ("genius") is missing from the reproduction.

 

Autograph Collector, October 2004, vol. 14, no. 10, p. 37.  ("Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: It’s Elementary" by Stuart Lutz on pp. 36-39.)

 

Baker Street Journal, December 1962, vol. 12, no. 4, p. 218.  ("Some Onomatological Notes on 'Sherlock Holmes' and Other Names in the Sacred Writings" by Duncan MacDougald, Jr. on pp. 213-218.)   Only the top half of the page is reproduced and it ends with "Chemical laboratory."

 

Baker Street Journal, March 1969, vol. 19, no. 1, p. 49.  ("The Scion Societies: The Baker Street Irregulars" by Julian Wolff, M.D. on p. 49.)  Only the top half of the page is reproduced and it ends with "I have four hundred a year."

 

Baker Street Miscellanea, Spring 1987, no. 49, p. 18.

 

Conan Doyle: a biography by Pierre Nordon [Translated from the French by Frances Partridge]  (New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1967), between pages 180 and 181.  Reproduction not present in the original French version Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. l'Homme et l'Oeuvre (Paris-Bruxelles: Didier, 1964).

 

Dictionary of Literary Biography, Volume 70; British Mystery Writers 1860 – 1919 edited by Bernard Benstock and Thomas F. Staley.  (Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Company, 1988), p. 115.  ("Sir Arthur Conan Doyle" by J. Randolph Cox on pp. 112-134.)

 

Encyclopedia Sherlockiana by Matthew E. Bunson.  (New York: Barnes & Noble, 1997), p. 254.   Small but legible reproduction.

 

In the Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes, Rev. ed., by Michael Harrison.  (Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1971) (New York: Drake Publishers, 1972), facing p. 37.   Reproduced with narrow edges and final word "genius" partially cut off.  No facsimile in the 1960 1st edition. 

 

The Man Who Was Sherlock Holmes by Michael and Mollie Hardwick.  (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1964), opposite p. 33.

 

Memories and Adventures by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1924), front of dust-jacket.  The last word ("genius") is missing from the reproduction.  This was the first American edition of the book.  It does not contain any manuscript reproductions inside the book.   It's likely that this is the only edition of this work that contains a reproduction.  The first English edition (London: Hodder and Staughton, 1924) does not include any facsimiles on its dust-jacket or inside.   The second English edition (London: John Murray, 1930) does not have a facsimile on its dust-jacket or in its interior.  The Crowborough Edition (vol. 24) of the book (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Doran, & Company, Inc., 1930) does not include any facsimiles inside.  Its dust-jacket has not been seen. 

 

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes by Vincent Starrett.  (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1933), p. 11.  The last word ("genius") is missing from the reproduction.

 

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, Rev. ed., by Vincent Starrett.  (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1960), p. 6.  Also appears in the Pinnacle Books paperback edition on p. 7.  The last word ("genius") is missing from the reproduction.

 

Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration by Allen Eyles.  (New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1986), p. 13.

 

Sherlock Holmes Journal: A Study in Scarlet Centenary Special, [Winter] 1987, p. 2. ("Introduction" by Nicholas Utechin on pp. 1-2.)  A very nice photo of the entire leaf.

 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Archives by Lew David Feldman.  (New York: [House of El Dieff, Inc., 1970]), cover.  A four-page pamphlet distributed at the 1971 BSI dinner that lists numerous Conan Doyle manuscripts, letters and memorabilia.

 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Centenary 1859-1959.  (London: John Murray, 1959) (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday & Co., n.d.), p. 104.  Includes a Preface by Adrian Conan Doyle and an Introduction by P. Weil-Nordon.

 

Strand Magazine, December 1923, vol. 66, no. 396, p. 563.  ("Memories and Adventures: Part III" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.)

 

Studies in Scarlet. (Dubuque, Iowa: Gasogene Press, [1989]), p. 79.  ("The 'Original MSS.': Studies in Canonical Beginnings" by Jon L. Lellenberg on pp. 77-89.)  Article also includes The Second Stain #101 and The Second Stain #115.

 

A Study in Southsea: The Unrevealed Life of Doctor Arthur Conan Doyle by Geoffrey Stavert.  ([Portsmouth, Hants]: Milestone Publications, [1987]), p. 78.

 

A Study in Surmise: The Making of Sherlock Holmes by Michael Harrison.  (Bloomington, Indiana: Gaslight Publications, 1984), facing title page.

 

The Universal Sherlock Holmes Volume 1 by Ronald Burt De Waal, ed. George A. Vanderburgh. (Toronto: Metropolitan Toronto Reference Library, 1994), p. 120.

 

The World of Sherlock Holmes by Martin Fido.  (Holbrook, MA: Adams Media Corp., 1998), front and rear end-papers.  Partial reproductions, lacking portions of both margins and much of the lower section of the page.

Index

 

A Study in Scarlet (#112)

Fragment from Doyle's Southsea Notebook No. 1, page 10.  The heading was initially  "A tangled skein – " but this was stricken and the new heading written to the right on the same line.

Headed: A Study in scarlet.

Text: The terrified woman rushing up to the cabman.  The two going in search of a policeman.  John Reeves had been 7 years in the force, John Reeves went back with them.

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: The Conan Doyle Collection (London – 19 May 2004), Lot 19, p. 38.  Sold as part of three volumes of the "Southsea Notebooks."  A description is listed on pages 38-40.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)  Also includes The Reigate Squires #102 and The Sussex Vampire #101.  See also the sale information page.

 

The Life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle by John Dickson Carr.  (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1949), facing p. 149.  It also probably appears on page 63 of the 1949 John Murray (London) uniform edition.  It is not in the 1975 paperback edition from Vintage Books (New York).

 

The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, edited, with annotations by Leslie S. Klinger.  (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2006), [vol. III.], the novels, p. 8.

Index

 

A Study in Scarlet (#905)

This is probably the page of notes indicated in A Study in Scarlet #111, and is likely the appearance noted above in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Archives.

 

Appears in:

House of El Dieff brochure.  (New York: House of El Dieff, Inc., n.d.)  If you have easy access to an El Dieff/Feldman item with a reproduction from A Study in Scarlet that is not the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Archives and would be willing to answer a few questions about it, please send me e-mail. 

Index


 

 

The Sussex Vampire (#101)

Opening page of story, 30 lines of text.  (Doubleday pp. 1033-1034)

Headed: The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

Starts: Holmes had read carefully the note which the last post had brought…

Ends: I leaned back and took down the great index volume…

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: The Conan Doyle Collection (London – 19 May 2004), p. [175].  Advertisement for Christie's 9 June 2004 sale in New York.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)  Also includes The Reigate Squires #102 and A Study in Scarlet #112 .

 

Christie's catalogue: Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts (New York – 9 June 2004), Lot 58, p. 56.  A description is listed on pages 56-57.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)  Also includes The Sussex Vampire #102 and The Sussex Vampire #104.  See also the sale information page.

Index

 

The Sussex Vampire (#102)

Page 24, the last page of the manuscript, 11 lines of text.  (Doubleday p. 1044)

Starts: Re: Vampires

Ends:…Sherlock Holmes.

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts (New York – 9 June 2004), Lot 58, p. [4].  Reproduction is the frontispiece to the catalogue.  A description is listed on pages 56-57.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)  Also includes The Sussex Vampire #101 and The Sussex Vampire #104.  See also the sale information page.

Index

 

The Sussex Vampire (#104)

Upper cover of the bound manuscript, gilt-lettered and signed by Doyle. 

Upper cover:  [gilt] THE | ADVENTURE | OF THE | SUSSEX VAMPIRE || [signed] Arthur Conan Doyle. | [gilt] A Sherlock Holmes Story

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts (New York – 9 June 2004), Lot 58, p. 57.  A description is listed on pages 56-57.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)  Also includes The Sussex Vampire #101 and The Sussex Vampire #102.  See also the sale information page.

Index


 

 

The Problem of Thor Bridge (#101)

Opening page of story, 19 lines of text.  It includes three stricken titles at the top.  The first stricken title is very difficult to read except for the last word, but it appears to be "From Watson's Box." It might, however, be "The Little Tin Box" or some variation.  The second stricken title is "The Adventure of the Second Chip" and the third is "The Problem of Rushmere Bridge."  These are followed by "The Problem of Thor's Bridge."  In the published version "Thor's" was shortened to just "Thor."  (Doubleday pp. 1054-1055)

Headed: The Problem of Thor's Bridge

Starts: Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox & Co…

Ends: …duellist, who was found stark staring mad with a…

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Miscellanea, Summer 1981, no. 26, p. 9.  ("It is an Old Manuscript: The Adventure of the Second Chip" by Peter E. Blau on pp. 8-10.)  It includes a description of the manuscript from the Christie's London catalog for April 29, 1981. 

 

Christie's catalogue: Valuable Autograph Letters, Historical Documents, and Music Manuscripts (London – 29 April 1981), Lot 174, p. 59.  A description is listed on page 58.   The manuscript sold for £13,000 plus a 10% premium to the auction house, or about $31,000.  Lots 175-176 included ACD letters.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)

Index


 

 

The Three Garridebs (#101)

Opening page of story, 21 lines of text.  It includes a signature at top "A Conan Doyle | Crowborough."  (Doubleday pp. 1044-1045)

Headed: The Adventure of the Three Garridebs 

Starts: It may have been a comedy or it may have been a tragedy.  It cost one man…

Ends: …matter up till he comes.  But meanwhile thats the name we want"

 

Appears in:

Christie's catalogue: Medieval and Illuminated Manuscripts, Printed Books… (London – 6 December 1989), Lot 309, p.133.  (Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd.)

Index


 

 

The Three Students (#101)

Partial opening page of story, 3 lines of text with some words obscured.  (Doubleday p. 596)

Headed: The Return of Sherlock Holmes | IX. | The Adventure of the Three Students 

Starts: It was in the year '95 that a combination of [obscured]… 

Ends: …[obscured] in one of our great university towns, and [obscured]…

 

Appears in:

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sesquicentennial Celebration May 7-9, 2009. A one-page color flyer distributed during the 2007 Birthday Weekend in New York, describing the planned symposium and exhibition at Harvard's Houghton Library.  Also available online as noted below.

 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sesquicentennial Celebration May 7-9, 2009.

Library Home: <http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/>

MS: Symposium Page (Jan. 27, 2007)

Index


 

 

The Valley of Fear (#101)

Partial opening page of story, approximately 17 lines of text plus insertions.  The title for Part I was changed for publication but not on the manuscript.  The story was originally written in the third person, with the first line ending "said Watson."  This was struck and the word "I" was written above it.  Similar changes are made later on the page.  (Doubleday p. 769)

Headed: The Valley of Fear. | Part I | The Manor house of Birlstone | Chap I. The Warning

Starts: "I am inclined to think—" said I

Ends:…the words awakened.

 

Appears in:

The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, edited, with annotations by Leslie S. Klinger.  (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2006), [vol. III.], the novels, p. 632.  Partial reprint (lacking Holmes illustration) of announcement from The Strand Magazine noted below.  Includes only part of the opening page, reproducing the heading and approximately 9 lines of text plus insertions.  The last line in this reproduction ends "just drawn from its envelope."

 

Sherlock Holmes Journal, Spring 1966, vol. 7, no. 4, p. 123. ("The True Author of Last and Maza" by Cornelis Helling on pp. 123-124.)  Includes only part of the opening page, reproducing the heading and approximately 9 lines of text plus insertions.  The last line in this reproduction ends "just drawn from its envelope."

 

Sotheby's Preview (New York - June-July 1990).  If you have easy access to this item and would be willing to answer a few questions about it, please send me e-mail. 

 

Sotheby's catalogue: Fine Books and Manuscripts (New York - 15 June 1990), Sale No. 6037, Lot 45 including frontispiece illustration of MS opening page.  The manuscript sold for $286,000 (£167,251) including the 10% buyer's premium.  Lot 44 was a copy of Beeton's Christmas Annual [1887] and sold for $57,200 (£33,450).  Also includes The Valley of Fear #114, 115, and 116.

 

Sotheby's Art at Auction 1989-90 (New York: Sotheby's Publications, 1990), p. 211. 

 

Strand Magazine, August 1914, vol. 48, no. 284, p. 227.  Part of the announcement for The Valley of Fear in next month's issue.  Includes only part of the opening page, reproducing the heading and approximately 9 lines of text plus insertions.  The last line in this reproduction ends "just drawn from its envelope."  This announcement is partially reprinted in The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes as noted above.

Index

 

The Valley of Fear (#111)

An unpublished fragment for the story, 15 lines of text.  Apparently intended for Part I of the story, but never used.

Starts: "Mr. Holmes" said Cecil Barker "Mrs. Douglas and I…

Ends:…anything that you may have to say.  I will not disguise from you…

 

Appears in:

Austin's Sherlockian Studies: The Collected Annuals. (New York: Magico Magazine, 1986), p. 67.  Reprint of J. Bliss Austin's A Baker Street Christmas Stocking, 1953-1981.

 

A Baker Street Christmas Stocking, 1965.  (Pittsburgh: Hydraulic Press) J. Bliss Austin's Christmas greeting card and commentary.  Reprinted in Austin's Sherlockian Studies, listed above.

 

Murderland, edited by Steven T. Doyle.  (New York: The Baker Street Irregulars , 2004), p. 59.  ("It is an Old Manuscript: The Notes for The Valley of Fear" by Peter E. Blau on pp. 49-63.)  Nice 8 x 5 inch reproduction with a transcription on the facing page.  Also includes The Valley of Fear #117, The Valley of Fear #118, The Valley of Fear #119, and The Valley of Fear #120.  Available at the Baker Street Journal website

Index

 

The Valley of Fear (#112)

Partial interior page of Part I, Chapter 7 of the story, 23 lines of text.  The handwriting style changes significantly at about the middle of the page.  (Doubleday pp. 808-9) 

Starts: "Well go on."

Ends:…with your permission we will get started at once."

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Miscellanea, June 1978, no. 14, p. 4.  ("On the Writing of Some of the Most Remarkable Books Ever Penned" by Bliss Austin on pp. 1-9.)  Also includes The Valley of Fear #113.

Index

 

The Valley of Fear (#113)

Partial interior page of Part II, Chapter 7 of the story, 20 lines of text plus 4 stricken lines.  Note that the ending period was changed to an exclamation point in the published version.  (Doubleday pp. 862-3)

Starts: …as of greeting.  Then they were aware of a strange step inside and of…

Ends:…Edwards is here.  I am Birdy Edwards".

 

Appears in:

Baker Street Miscellanea, June 1978, no. 14, p. 5.  ("On the Writing of Some of the Most Remarkable Books Ever Penned" by Bliss Austin on pp. 1-9.)  Also includes The Valley of Fear #112.

Index

 

The Valley of Fear (#114)

Opening page of Part I., Chapter 5 of the story, approximately 32 lines of text with insertions and deletions.  (Doubleday p. 791)

Headed: Part I | V | The People of the Drama

Starts: "Have you seen all you want of the study?" asked White Mason…

Ends:…out of the study. He had stopped Mrs. Douglas and begged her…

 

Appears in:

Sotheby's catalogue: Fine Books and Manuscripts (New York - 15 June 1990), Sale No. 6037, Lot 45 including frontispiece illustration of MS opening page.  The manuscript sold for $286,000 (£167,251) including the 10% buyer's premium.  Lot 44 was a copy of Beeton's Christmas Annual [1887] and sold for $57,200 (£33,450).  Also includes The Valley of Fear #101, 115, and 116.

Index

 

The Valley of Fear (#115)

Interior page of Part I., Chapter 7 of the story, approximately 34 lines of text with insertions and deletions.  (Doubleday p. 807)

Starts: …  my dear Mr. Mac, when one is in conscious sympathy with the historical…

Ends:…with whom I exchanged some amiabilities, which culminated in his allowing me,…

 

Appears in:

Sotheby's catalogue: Fine Books and Manuscripts (New York - 15 June 1990), Sale No. 6037, Lot 45 including frontispiece illustration of MS opening page.  The manuscript sold for $286,000 (£167,251) including the 10% buyer's premium.  Lot 44 was a copy of Beeton's Christmas Annual [1887] and sold for $57,200 (£33,450).  Also includes The Valley of Fear #101, 114, and 116.

Index

 

The Valley of Fear (#116)

Opening page of Part II., Chapter 4 of the story, 33 lines of text.  (Doubleday pp. 839-840)

Headed: Part II. | IV | The Valley of Fear.

Starts: When McMurdo awoke next morning he had good…

Ends:…me to say"

 

Appears in:

Sotheby's catalogue: Fine Books and Manuscripts (New York - 15 June 1990), Sale No. 6037, Lot 45 including frontispiece illustration of MS opening page.  The manuscript sold for $286,000 (£167,251) including the 10% buyer's premium.  Lot 44 was a copy of Beeton's Christmas Annual [1887] and sold for $57,200 (£33,450).  Also includes The Valley of Fear #101, 114, and 115.

Index

 

The Valley of Fear (#117)

One page of notes, approximately 37 lines of text.

Headed: What really happened

 

Appears in:

Bibliamaranth: Eighty-eight otherwise immiscible immortals... (aka Biblioctopus Catalog 12).  (Idyllwild, Calif.: Biblioctopus, 1991 [available November 1990]), Item 26.  This item consisted of four leaves which are listed here as #111, #117, #118/119, and #120.  This Biblioctopus catalog only reproduces a single page.

 

Murderland, edited by Steven T. Doyle.  (New York: The Baker Street Irregulars , 2004), p. 61.  ("It is an Old Manuscript: The Notes for The Valley of Fear" by Peter E. Blau on pp. 49-63.)  Nice 8 x 5 inch reproduction with a transcription on the facing page.  Also includes The Valley of Fear #111, The Valley of Fear #118, The Valley of Fear #119, and The Valley of Fear #120.  Available at the Baker Street Journal website

Index

 

The Valley of Fear (#118)

One page of notes, approximately 35 lines of text.  The other side of the leaf with The Valley of Fear #119. 

Starts: Considerations for the feelings

 

Appears in:

Murderland, edited by Steven T. Doyle.  (New York: The Baker Street Irregulars , 2004), p. 55.  ("It is an Old Manuscript: The Notes for The Valley of Fear" by Peter E. Blau on pp. 49-63.)  Nice 8 x 5 inch reproduction with a transcription on the facing page.  Also includes The Valley of Fear #111, The Valley of Fear #117, The Valley of Fear #119, and The Valley of Fear #120.  Available at the Baker Street Journal website

Index

 

The Valley of Fear (#119)

One page of notes, approximately 21 lines of text.  The other side of the leaf with The Valley of Fear #118.

Starts: There is danger which may come soon

 

Appears in:

Murderland, edited by Steven T. Doyle.  (New York: The Baker Street Irregulars , 2004), p. 57.  ("It is an Old Manuscript: The Notes for The Valley of Fear" by Peter E. Blau on pp. 49-63.)  Nice 8 x 5 inch reproduction with a transcription on the facing page.  Also includes The Valley of Fear #111, The Valley of Fear #117, The Valley of Fear #118, and The Valley of Fear #120.  Available at the Baker Street Journal website

Index

 

The Valley of Fear (#120)

One page of notes, approximately 8 lines of text.

Headed: The Sons Statement

 

Appears in:

Murderland, edited by Steven T. Doyle.  (New York: The Baker Street Irregulars , 2004), p. 63.  ("It is an Old Manuscript: The Notes for The Valley of Fear" by Peter E. Blau on pp. 49-63.)  Nice 8 x 5 inch reproduction with a transcription on the facing page.  Also includes The Valley of Fear #111, The Valley of Fear #117, The Valley of Fear #118, and The Valley of Fear #119.  Available at the Baker Street Journal website

Index


 

NOTES

All the manuscript material is in Conan Doyle's handwriting unless otherwise noted.

 

All items in the Baker Street Journal from inception through 2000 are also reproduced on the Baker Street Journal CD-ROM, available at the Baker Street Journal website.  All items in the Sherlock Holmes Journal from inception through Summer 2002 are also reproduced on the Sherlock Holmes Journal e-SHJ CD-ROM, available at the Sherlock Holmes Society of London website and through the CD publisher George Vanderburgh at the Battered Silicon Dispatch Box website.

 

Numbering

Each page from the manuscript is listed as a separate entry.  Citations for fragments of pages are included in the appropriate entry when the page was known.  Otherwise these fragments have their own entry.  Identification numbers are listed after each story title.  These codes help identify the entry and simplify finding certain special pages.  Important identifier codes include the following:

            099: Complete manuscript for that story

            100: Title page of manuscript

            101: Opening page of manuscript

            102: Last page of manuscript

            104: Upper cover of a bound manuscript

            900+: Item not yet viewed so content and citation not verified

 

Terms used in descriptions

 

Acknowledgements

I started my investigations using citations from the following sources: 

 

De Waal, Ronald Burt.  "Manuscripts," part III of The Universal Sherlock Holmes. Vol. 1.  Edited by George A. Vanderburgh.  Foreword by John Bennett Shaw.  Illustrated by Betty and George Wells. Toronto: Metropolitan Toronto Reference Library, 1994.  It includes entries DC2315 – DC2374 on pp. 115-118.  It may be purchased from George Vanderburgh at the Battered Silicon Dispatch Box website.  An electronic version of this work is available online from the University of Minnesota.

 

Redmond, Chris. "A Checklist of Canonical Manuscripts," Canadian Holmes, Winter 1987, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 12-13.

 

I've confirmed each item from De Waal and Redmond and have included a more detailed description and citation in this checklist.  In a few cases I've been unable to locate an item and have included a request for information about it.  My checklist also includes numerous additional reproductions not reported in the above sources.

 

Some of these items were found in the Sherlock Holmes Collections at the University of Minnesota.  Thanks also to those who provided additional information for the checklist including Peter Blau, Beth Bogle, Vincent Delay, Mark Doyle, Doug Elliott, Roger Johnson, Les Klinger, Andrew Malec, Christy Richards, Dana Richards, Christopher Roden, Steve Rothman, Anna Mia Stampe, John Weber, and Doug Wrigglesworth.

Index

 

This site contains other Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes information.  See pages on Conan Doyle's original manuscripts, Beeton's Christmas Annual, the best Sherlock Holmes stories, Sherlock Holmes on CD-ROM, Sherlockian books for sale, and more.

 

Return to the Manuscripts Home page and Introduction.

 

 


 

Vers. 2.0ax-RN Original work
Copyright ©2007  Randall Stock. All Rights Reserved.