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Conan Doyle Manuscripts
Introduction
Manuscripts are
more than collectors' items. They can reveal the process – creative and
editorial – that went into producing a work. They may also suggest
something of the author's personality. As such they are important
resources when studying an author and his writings.
A manuscript is a one-of-a-kind item and is often difficult to locate. Privately held items can be especially challenging to find, and cataloging by institutions can be inconsistent or incomplete. Thus there is a need for the specialized checklists and news reports such as the ones noted here for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
News:
Recent Changes
Checklists of Other Rare Material
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Manuscripts
Sherlock Holmes Manuscripts: A Census Summary
This summary provides locations for the original Holmes story manuscripts. See also related information below.
Checklist of Conan Doyle Manuscripts
This Checklist for works other than the 60 Holmes stories includes descriptions and locations for many of Conan Doyle's autograph manuscripts.
A Census of The Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript Leaves
The original Hound manuscript now exists mostly as separate leaves.
A Census of The Conan Doyle Collection
This census lists the owners of lots from Christie's May 2004 sale of Conan Doyle material.
See also these related items:
- Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters (2007): Letters from the collection
- Conan Doyle's lost first novel is published: The Narrative of John Smith (2011)
- Conan Doyle's "Dangerous Work": Diary of an Arctic Adventure (2012): A real-life story, beautifully produced
Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes Manuscript News Archive
(Search for pages on this website using Google)
July 2024: Valley of Fear Manuscript at the Folger Shakespeare Library
Exhibition features rare books & manuscripts from the Stuart & Mimi Rose Collection
June 2024: Sign of Four Manuscript & More at Auction
Sotheby's sold the Holmes manuscript & a Paget drawing for record prices
March 2024: Edge of the Unknown Manuscript Auction
Swann Galleries sold part of chapter 15 from ACD's Spiritualism book
February 2024: Crooked Man Manuscript Page at Auction
RR Auction offered page 4 of "The Crooked Man" Manuscript
February 2024: Uncle Bernac Manuscript Auction
Potter & Potter sold the novel's manuscript plus rare Paget & Lost World items
September 2023: The Bully of Brocas Court Manuscript Sale
RR Auction offered one of Conan Doyle's best ghost stories
July 2023: The Crooked Man Manuscript Auction
Sotheby's sold Holmes manuscript with source of "Elementary" quotation
February 2023: Minnesota Exhibition of Holmes Manuscripts, Drawings & More
The University of Minnesota hosts "Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects" from Glen Miranker
October 2022: Sale of "The Bully of Brocas Court" & "The Vital Message"
Christie's also sold "Life on a Greenland Whaler" & "The Governor of St. Kitts"
August 2022: Indiana Exhibition of Holmes Manuscripts, Drawings & More
The Lilly Library hosts "Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects" from Glen Miranker
July 2022: The Greek Interpreter Manuscript Sale
Heritage Auctions sold the only surviving complete manuscript from the Memoirs
June 2022: Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript Leaf at Auction
Heritage Auctions offered Hound leaf H37
January 2022: New York Exhibition of Holmes Manuscripts, Drawings & More
The Grolier Club hosts "Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects" from Glen Miranker
November 2021: Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript Leaf Sale
Heritage Auctions sold Hound chapter-head leaf H31 for a record price
July 2021: Hound of the Baskervilles Drawing at Auction
Quinn's Auction Galleries sold Frederic Dorr Steele's The Slavering Hound
July 2020: Land of Mist Manuscript Sale
Christie's sold the manuscript of the Professor Challenger novel The Land of Mist
July 2020: The Greek Interpreter Manuscript at Auction
Sotheby's offered the Sherlock Holmes story introducing his brother Mycroft
May 2020: Land of Mist Manuscript Offered via Private Sale
Christie's offered the Professor Challenger novel The Land of Mist
July 2019: Auction of Postcard About the Origins of Sherlock Holmes
Forum Auctions sold a Conan Doyle postcard referring to Dr. Joe Bell & Sherlock Holmes
July 2019: Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript Leaf Sale
Profiles in History offered leaf H31 (chapter-head for Ch. 13) from The Hound
July 2019: Land of Mist Manuscript Chapter at Auction
Christie's sold Chapter XIII from The Land of Mist and a poem about Shakespeare
June 2019: "A Shadow Before" Manuscript at Auction
Christie's New York sold the manuscript of Conan Doyle's 1898 story
November 2018: The British Library Acquires Five Brigadier Gerard Manuscripts
The BL buys five of the first eight Brigadier Gerard tales, including the very first story
August 2018: New Leaf Reported from the Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript
A previously unrecorded leaf from Chapter 13 has been added to the census as H37
July 2018: "The Story of Spedegue's Dropper" Manuscript at Auction
Sotheby's London sold Conan Doyle's amusing story involving cricket
April 2018: "The Dancing Men" Manuscript at Auction
Heritage Auctions sold the manuscript of one of Conan Doyle's best Holmes stories
May 2017: Conan Doyle 1894 Lecture Tour Manuscript at Auction
Swann Galleries sold manuscripts from his 1894 American lecture tour & other material
September 2016: Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript Page Reported Stolen
Help recover leaf H33 from Chapter 15 of The Hound
June 2016: Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript Leaf Sale
Christie's New York offered leaf H5 (from Chapter 5 of The Hound)
April 2016: "The Greek Interpreter," "Thor Bridge," and a Hound leaf at Auction
Bonhams New York also offered Rodney Stone and "The Prisoner's Defence" manuscripts
March 2016: Five Brigadier Gerard Manuscripts Offered For Sale
James S. Jaffe Rare Books offers the first Gerard story and four other early Gerard manuscripts
June 2015: Toronto Announces Acquisition of "The Parish Magazine" Manuscript
Library's Arthur Conan Doyle collection now holds one of Conan Doyle's last stories
March 2015: Three Conan Doyle Manuscripts at Auction
Swann Galleries sold "Through the Veil," "The Nightmare Room," and "The Parish Magazine"
October 2014: London Exhibition of Holmes Manuscripts, Original Drawings and More
The Museum of London opens largest exhibition of rare Sherlockiana since 1951
October 2014: "How Watson Learned the Trick" Miniature Holmes Manuscript
Reproduction of a Holmes parody written by Conan Doyle for Queen Mary
June 2014: "Black Peter" Manuscript and "Silver Blaze" Paget Drawing Sale
Christie's New York sold a Holmes manuscript and an iconic Paget drawing
October 2013: Toronto Library gets "The Marriage of the Brigadier" Manuscript
The last Brigadier Gerard story written by Conan Doyle is added to Toronto's collection
January 2013: "The Retired Colourman" Manuscript on Display
The British Library holds a free exhibition in Murder in the Library: An A-Z of Crime Fiction
December 2012: Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript Leaf Sale
Christie's New York sold leaf H36 (from Chapter 12 of The Hound)
September 2012: "Mr. Sherlock Holmes to his Friends" (Preface to The Case Book) Manuscript Sale
Freeman's of Philadelphia sold the manuscript of Conan Doyle's farewell to Sherlock Holmes
June 2012: Hound Manuscript Leaves in San Francisco Exhibit
The Book Club of California exhibit includes two leaves, an original Paget, and much more
April 2012: "The Missing Three-Quarter" Manuscript Travels to Japan
The British Library sends its first Holmes manuscript as part of a showcase of British culture
December 2011 Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript Leaf Sale
Goldberg Coins & Collectibles offers leaf H31 (chapter-head for Ch. 13)
September 2011: Publication from the Manuscript of The Narrative of John Smith
The British Library publishes Conan Doyle's lost first novel from manuscript it now holds
May 2011 "The Story of Spedegue's Dropper" Manuscript Sale
Bloomsbury Auctions in London sold this Conan Doyle cricket story
October 2010 "Crown Diamond" and "Personalia" Manuscripts Donated
Anna Conan Doyle's estate delivered three manuscripts to the Toronto Public Library
April 2009 "Creeping Man" Manuscript Donation
Dame Jean Conan Doyle's estate delivered the manuscript to Portsmouth.
June 2008 "His Last Bow" Manuscript Sale
Sotheby's New York auction for the manuscript of Sherlock Holmes final adventure
June 2007 "Three Gables" Manuscript Sale
The sale at Sotheby's New York also included a copy of Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887.
June 2006 "Illustrious Client" Manuscript Donation
Dame Jean Conan Doyle's estate delivered the manuscript to the National Library Scotland.
March 2006 Conan Doyle Manuscript Sale
Dame Jean Conan Doyle's estate offered three manuscripts for sale
November 2004 "Solitary Cyclist" and "Hound" Manuscript Sale
The sale at Sotheby's New York also included a famous Sidney Paget drawing of Holmes and Moriarty.
June 2004 "Sussex Vampire" Manuscript Sale
The first Holmes manuscript sent to auction in five years was sold at Christie's New York.
May 2004 Conan Doyle Collection Sale
Some of Conan Doyle's heirs sold an extensive collection of his letters, manuscripts, and personal effects.
May 2004 "Retired Colourman" Manuscript Donation
Dame Jean Conan Doyle's estate delivered this Sherlock Holmes manuscript to the British Library
November 2003 Conan Doyle Manuscript Sale
Six original Conan Doyle manuscripts were offered for sale by the estate of Dame Jean Conan Doyle, the last surviving child of Sir Arthur.
Original Sherlock Holmes Story Manuscripts
Census Summary of the Sherlock Holmes Manuscripts
Census for The Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaves
See the News and recent sale items listed above.
See also Angels of Darkness on the Checklist of Conan Doyle Manuscripts and the page on The Crown Diamond for information on Holmes-related manuscripts.
Facsimiles of Sherlock Holmes & Conan Doyle Manuscripts
Many of the original Holmes story manuscripts are held in library special collections or by private collectors. Fortunately more than a dozen complete facsimiles have been published. In addition, a checklist including illustrations of individual pages may prove useful to researchers.
Facsimile Editions
The Baker Street Irregulars literary society is publishing their Manuscript Series of facsimile editions of manuscripts and other documents relating to Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. These include the first-ever color reproduction of a Holmes manuscript in Irregular Stain ("The Second Stain").
Titles in the BSI Manuscript Series (newest at top) include:
- Clutches of a Fiend ("The Illustrious Client")
- The Haven Horror ("The Retired Colourman")
- A Masterpiece of Villainy ("The Norwood Builder")
- The Staunton Tragedy ("The Missing Three-Quarter")
- The Worst Man in London ("Charles Augustus Milverton")
- Deadly Harpoon ("Black Peter")
- Trenches ("His Last Bow")
- Dancing to Death ("The Dancing Men")
- Out of the Abyss ("The Empty House")
- Irregular Stain ("The Second Stain")
- The Wrong Passage ("The Golden Pince-Nez")
- Bohemian Souls ("A Scandal in Bohemia")
- So Painful a Scandal ("The Three Students")
- Mandate for Murder ("The Red Circle")
- The Napoleon Bust Business Again ("The Six Napoleons")
- The Hound of the Baskervilles (Chapter XI)
- Angels of Darkness (a Holmes-related play)
Most are still available from the Baker Street Irregulars website.
Other facsimiles of Sherlock Holmes manuscripts include:
- The Creeping Man
- The Abbey Grange
- Shoscombe Old Place (2002, out of print)
- The Lion's Mane (1992, out of print)
- The Dying Detective (1991, out of print)
- The Priory School (1985, out of print, but try James Pepper Rare Books)
Other Publications with Holmes Facsimiles
Murderland and The Valley of Fear
Murderland is an excursion book published for the 2004 Valley of Fear tour. It includes facsimiles of five pages of Conan Doyle's manuscript notes for the story and a fine essay about the manuscript's history by Peter Blau. More details are available at the BSI website Murderland book page.
Baker Street Journal
The Baker Street Journal contains many manuscript page reproductions. A DVD with all issues from inception through 2011 is available from the BSI website eBSJ version 2 page. See also Tips on using the eBSJ, and use this List of Citations to quickly locate reproductions in the Baker Street Journal.
Sherlock Holmes Journal
The Sherlock Holmes Journal also contains many manuscript page reproductions. The e-SHJ version 2 includes PDFs of all issues from inception to Summer 2021. The e-SHJ version 1 CD-ROM included all issues through Summer 2002. See this site's Tips on using the e-SHJ CD and use this List of Citations to quickly identify reproductions in the Sherlock Holmes Journal.
Other Conan Doyle Facsimiles
The Lost World
The manuscript of Conan Doyle's most famous science fiction adventure, and a key inspiration for Jurassic Park, was published in The Lost World facsimile in 2020.
Conan Doyle's Arctic Diary from 1880
Conan Doyle's "Dangerous Work": Diary of an Arctic Adventure, including a full-color manuscript facsimile and more, was published in 2012.
The Horror of the Heights
Produced for a 2004 conference at the University of Minnesota, this fine facsimile includes valuable annotations, a transcription, and more. See my review of the Horror of the Heights facsimile.
A Regimental Scandal
The Arthur Conan Doyle Society published a complete facsimile of this short story in 1995. It's edited by Christopher and Barbara Roden, with a foreword by Dame Jean Conan Doyle and an introduction by Richard Lancelyn Green. Out of print.
Holmes Facsimile Checklist
The Checklist currently has more than 130 source entries for material from 28 Sherlock Holmes stories. Subsets of the Checklist appear on additional Web pages and are organized to support other uses of the data. Supplementary research information is also provided. You can read more about the Checklist in the Summer 2003 Baker Street Journal article "Perfect Reproductions: Some Notes on Canonical Manuscripts" by Randall Stock.
Checklist of Manuscript Facsimiles of the Sherlock Holmes Stories
This checklist includes a detailed description of the reproduced text as well as citations for the sources of the reproductions. It is sorted by story title to help you locate all the available manuscript reproductions for a specific Canonical tale.
Photos of Holmes Manuscripts on the Web
A few manuscript pictures are available on the Internet. Use this list to quickly find and view them online.
It's often useful to be able to locate all the facsimiles in a specific publication. This list is sorted by the title of the book or periodical containing reproductions. It only includes source citations, but these can be cross-referenced to the Checklist.
Bookseller and Auction Catalogues Supplement
Sometimes it helps to know which sources have already been checked even if they do not contain reproductions. This page contains extra information on catalogues, including those from the House of El Dieff, Christie's and Sotheby's.
If you have an extensive collection of Sherlockiana, especially bookseller or auction catalogues, please look at this list to see if you could help to augment the current checklist information.
A list of changes to the Checklist.
Checklists of Other Rare Material
The first Sherlock Holmes publication: Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887 with A Study in Scarlet
Famous Sherlockian art: Sidney Paget Original Sherlock Holmes Drawings, plus rare memorabilia and other artwork
The best and most valuable Sherlock Holmes pastiche: The Unique Hamlet by Vincent Starrett
Other Topics
This site contains other Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes information. Don't miss the lists of each year's best Sherlock Holmes books & DVDs, the most famous Sherlock Holmes quotes, and more Top 10 Lists.
Vers. 2.1z09ax-RN Original work
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Randall Stock. All Rights Reserved.