Sherlock Holmes: Trifles

"see what V has to say" [SUSS]

Among the cases that Watson tantalizingly dangles before us, "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire" offers the Matilda Briggs and the giant rat of Sumatra (one of the tales we mentioned in Episode 55 concerning Weird Animals), one of the most famous of the untold adventures.

But it also offers up a handful of others in quick succession, coming from the 'V' volume of Sherlock Holmes's index, rather than from the tin box mentioned in "Thor Bridge," and they are worthy of discussion. Along the way, we question why some of these cases find their way into this volume.

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Links / Notes

• This episode: ihose.co/trifles68
• "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire"

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"abstruse chemical analysis" [SIGN]

Along with the deerstalker, Inverness cloak, magnifying glass and curved pipe, Sherlock Holmes is most often associated with chemistry – chemical compounds as well as chemistry equipment.

In this installment of our Inside 221B series, we take a look at Sherlock Holmes's experience with chemistry and other laboratory setups we encounter in the stories.

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And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal.

Links / Notes

• This episode: ihose.co/trifles67
• Sherlock Holmes Knew Chemistry
• The Chemistry of Sherlock Holmes

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"I was overwhelmed by the honour" [BERY]

Sherlock Holmes was a well-known public figure. But he was also a known and sought-after expert specifically by other well-known public figures and entities.

Which notable public figures sought and received Holmes's services and then bestowed upon him some gift other than cash?

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Links / Notes

• This episode: ihose.co/trifles66
• The Legion of Honor

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"I heard you marching about" [SIGN]

From the first cricket match in England in 1877 to the wireless mentioned in 1914, there are numerous things connected to Sherlock Holmes that happened in the month of March.

As the month draws to a close, we reflect on happenings historical and Canonical. Let's see if our bluster lives up to the weather this month is known for.

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Links / Notes

• This episode: ihose.co/trifles65
• History of cricket
• The Boat Race
• The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan
• Jean Leckie
• Guglielmo Marconi

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"two rather leprous mendicants" [ILLU]

When Watson glances across his notes and teases us with adventures that he and Sherlock Holmes have experienced, but only gives us a topic with only the barest of details, it makes us wonder exactly what happened.

So is the case in this episode as we talk about the Amateur Mendicant Society and its rather unique meeting location — which in this case coincides with a real-life Sherlock Holmes society.

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Links / Notes

• This episode: ihose.co/trifles64
• "The Adventure of the Five Orange Pips"
• Mendicant (Wikipedia)
• The Amateur Mendicant Society of Detroit

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

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"as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street" [REDH]

Step into the sitting room at 221B Baker Street with us again and look around, as we take in the sights, smells and sounds within that most famous of addresses.

This time, we investigate the physical elements that accompany alcoholic drinks within the walls of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson's abode. Namely: the gasogene and tantalus. We explore the origins of those phrases and discuss them in detail.

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Links / Notes

• This episode: ihose.co/trifles63
• Tantalus (spirit case)
• Tantalus (Greek god)
• Gasogene
• "A little song, a little dance..."
• I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Episode 132: Unquiet Spirits (Bonnie MacBird)

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"a line of books of reference beside the mantelpiece" [NOBL]

In Episode 58, we discussed Sherlock Holmes's index books – those collections in which he tracked criminal cases, looked up necessary trivia, etc. But this time, we reach a little deeper and discuss some of the actual named reference books at 221B Baker Street.

Which publications were these and how did they help Holmes and Watson connect the dots and solve some cases? It's a trifle, certainly, but there's nothing so important as trifles.

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Links / Notes

• This episode: ihose.co/trifles62
• "The Noble Bachelor"
• "The Red Headed League"
• "The Five Orange Pips"
• The Valley of Fear
• "The Copper Beeches"
• "The Retired Colourman"
• "Shoscombe Old Place"
• I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Episode 54: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Image credit: Special Collections Toronto Public Library (Flickr)

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"Now Watson, the fair sex is your department." [SECO]

John Watson knew women; Holmes tells us so. And Watson certainly tells us so, in his admiration of Mary Morstan as well as his description of some of the leading ladies of the Canon. He also told us outright in The Sign of Four that he's managed to get around:

"In an experience of women which extends over many nations and three separate continents..."

But three? We know for certain he's been to Europe an Asia. But which of the other five might be the one to round out Watson's travels? We investigate the lively love life of Dr. John H. Watson, MD.

Links / Notes

• This episode: ihose.co/trifles61
• The Private Life of Dr. Watson
• "Watson Was a Woman"
• "That Was No Lady" ("Nuts to Rex Stout")
• They Might be Giants

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

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"never more seen in this world" [THOR]

In "The Problem of Thor Bridge," Watson treats us to a tantalizing look at the possibilities that lie before us as readers:

"Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travelworn and battered tin dispatch-box with my name, John H. Watson, M.D., Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid. It is crammed with papers, nearly all of which are records of cases to illustrate the curious problems which Mr. Sherlock Holmes had at various times to examine."

Possibly one of the most intriguing of the untold tales was "that of Mr. James Phillimore, who, stepping back into his own house to get his umbrella, was never more seen in this world," as the setup was so stark, so mysterious, and so final.

What are some possible explanations of what happened? And how does this untold tale rank among the many that were mentioned? In this latest episode in our Unpublished Cases series, we delve into the rich history of the strange disappearance of James Phillimore.

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And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal.

Links / Notes

• This episode: ihose.co/trifles60
• "The Problem of Thor Bridge"
• The Best Untold Tales of Sherlock Holmes compiled by Randall Stock
• The Alternative Sherlock Holmes: Pastiches, Parodies and Copies
• BBC Sherlock tie-in
• The Disappearance of Mr. James Phillimore by Dan Andriacco

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

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"applying his tape to the walls" [STUD]

There's quite a bit we know about the inner sanctum of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson at 221B Baker Street. The cozy sitting room with its fireplace and windows at once beckons us in to look around.

Upon glancing at the walls, though: what do we see? Is it typical of Victorian bachelor decor? Or is there hidden meaning behind any of the wall hangings? We investigate the trifling matter of the walls of the sitting room at 221B.

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And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal.

Links / Notes

• This episode: ihose.co/trifles59
• "The Cardboard Box"

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

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