Sherlock Holmes: Trifles

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Americans and Sherlock Holmes Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

"It is always a joy to meet an American." [NOBL]

Americans have been avid fans of Sherlock Holmes since the earliest days. The novels were pirated and the short stories were syndicated to reach millions of American readers.

And Sherlock Holmes himself was a fan of Americans. There's a wide variety of Americans and American locales that popped up in the Canon quite frequently. And those are worth trifling over.

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Links / Notes

This episode: ihose.co/trifles129
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Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

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

Fore! Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

"'Fore God, Mr. Holmes, it's all right," [SHOS]

Sherlock Holmes and golf don't necessarily go together. That is clearly represented by the few times that the sport is mentioned in the Sherlock Holmes stories.

His creator, Arthur Conan Doyle, had a few connections to golf. Together, we explore these scant details and come up with enough for another episode of Trifles in our monthly look at games and sports.

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Links / Notes

This episode: ihose.co/trifles127
Victorian Schooling
Board Schools
Standards of Education from 1872
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The Baker Street Journal

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

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

School's Out Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

"Light-houses, my boy! Beacons of the future!" [COPP]

We first hear of boarding-schools in "The Naval Treaty," in which Watson mentions his fellow alumnus Percy Phelps, who needs Sherlock Holmes's help. And of course, the Priory School (from the adventure of the same name) is private boarding school of some note.

When did boarding-schools come to be? What changed in the legislation of England at the time that made education more of a thing? We explore the societal forces that came to bear on schools at the time.

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Links / Notes

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The Baker Street Journal

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

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

Where Was the Shadow? May 29, 2019

Show notes

"the calculation now was a simple one" [MUSG]

The questions in the Musgrave Ritual lead us to answers that are nearly as cryptic as the questions themselves. Among the questions was "Where was the shadow?" The answer, of course, is "Under the elm."

But how was Sherlock Holmes able to calculate the location of the object of the Musgrave Ritual, given the lack of an elm and the passing of over 200 years? It's one of the trifles in the Canon.

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Links / Notes

This episode: ihose.co/trifles126
Get your own "Signs of Four" merchandise

Sponsor

The Baker Street Journal

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

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

French and Sherlock Holmes May 22, 2019

Show notes

"an autograph letter of thanks from the French" [GOLD]

France and England have always had a close relationship, if contentious at times. Is it any small wonder that we find plenty of French influences in the Sherlock Holmes stories?

From quoting French philosophers to referencing French detectives and from earning French accolades and casually revealing French relatives, Sherlock Holmes was well versed with all things French. We investigate a few trifling examples.

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Links / Notes

This episode: ihose.co/trifles125
Ken Ludwig on IHOSE
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The BSI Press International series

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

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

Odd Jobs May 15, 2019

Show notes

"He could carve a bit and gild and frame, and do odd jobs." [SIXN]

There were scores of jobs mentioned in the Sherlock Holmes stories, but we focus on some of the more trifling titles in this episode.

You've heard of doctors and lawyers and even consulting detectives as professions. But what about gamekeepers? Or yeggmen? Mendicants (amateur or otherwise), tide-waiters and an abbess await your inquiry as well.

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This episode: ihose.co/trifles124
Episode 36 - Tradesmen in the Canon
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Sponsor

The BSI Press Professions series

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

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

You've Got a Deal May 08, 2019

Show notes

"I would not have missed it for a good deal" [BERY]

Eight episodes ago, we talked very specifically about a card game: whist. But we're aware that there's more to cards than whist, and there are additional references in the Sherlock Holmes Canon.

A brief review of a number of Sherlock Holmes stories will show "card playing" as well as one or two specifically named card games. Oh, and what about a card game specifically related to Sherlock Holmes? It's all here in Trifles.

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Links / Notes

Sponsor

The Baker Street Journal

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

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

Poisons May 01, 2019

Show notes

"less poisonous than one might expect" [BRUC]

From the very first Sherlock Holmes story, we're introduced to poisons and their role in crime and detective fiction. From there, it's a hopscotch of poisonings and poisons in the Canon.

From alkaloids to airborne toxins, we come across a variety of substances that cause harm, both intentionally and accidentally. What are they? Tune in and you may pick up a Trifle or two...

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Links / Notes

This episode: ihose.co/trifles122

Sponsor

The Baker Street Irregulars Press Professions Series

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

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

Old Money Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

"old coins, apparently" [MUSG]

This is National Coin Week, according to the American Numismatic Association. What better week to consider old money in the Sherlock Holmes stories?

The terminology and math can be confusing to us today. Quid? Sovereign? Shilling? How do these relate to each other and how much buying power did they have? Greg Ruby, BSI of The Fourth Garrideb put a bug in our ear and that became a Trifle...

Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show.

We're available everywhere you listen to podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, and RadioPublic.

And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal.

Links / Notes

Sponsor

The Baker Street Journal

Music credits

Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra

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

Sherlock Holmes and Australians Apr 17, 2019

Show notes

"distinctly Australian" [BOSC]

To readers of the Sherlock Holmes stories in the late Victorian era, Australia was an exotic and dangerous place. It was not all that far removed from the days of transportation, when some criminals and the destitute were put on ships bound for the land Down Under.

Australia makes a number of appearances in the Canon. What do these have in common and what inferences can we make? These are but a Trifle...

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