The Best of Sherlock Holmes

What's New on this Site

November 2024

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2024

October 2024

Unique Hamlet census updated, including two more copies found

July 2024

The Valley of Fear manuscript in Folger Library exhibition

June 2024

Sotheby's sold The Sign of Four manuscript for a new auction record

Sidney Paget's "Death of Sherlock Holmes" drawing sets new auction record

Starrett-imprint The Unique Hamlet (copy VS5) goes unsold at auction

New section for News & Checklists of Holmes & Conan Doyle Rarities

April 2024

Sotheby's to sell The Sign of Four manuscript and other rarities in June

February 2024

Edge of the Unknown manuscript at auction

Updated: auction results for Uncle Bernac manuscript

January 2024

Uncle Bernac manuscript & more at auction

RR Auction offers Page 4 of Crooked Man manuscript

November 2023

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2023

September 2023

Bully of Brocas Court manuscript at auction

July 2023

Sotheby's sells Crooked Man manuscript with "Elementary" quotation

June 2023

Updated Census of the First Edition of The Unique Hamlet by Vincent Starrett

March 2023

Update for "His Last Bow" on the Sherlock Holmes Manuscripts Census

December 2022

Exhibition of Holmes Manuscripts, Original Drawings & More will move to Minnesota

November 2022

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2022

October 2022

Four non-Sherlockian Conan Doyle manuscripts at Christie's

July 2022

Exhibition of Holmes Manuscripts, Original Drawings & More moves to Indiana

Updated: Auction results for the manuscript of The Greek Interpreter

June 2022

Heritage Auctions will offer the manuscript of The Greek Interpreter in July

Updated: Auction results for Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf H37

March 2022

Heritage Auctions offers Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf H37 in June

January 2022

Opening the Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects at the Grolier Club

December 2021

New York Exhibition of Holmes Manuscripts, Original Drawings & More

November 2021

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2021

Results of a Record-Breaking Sale of a Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf

October 2021

Updates on the November auction of a Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf

August 2021

Heritage Auctions to offer a Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf in November

July 2021

Updated: Auction results for Frederic Dorr Steele drawing The Slavering Hound

June 2021

Frederic Dorr Steele drawing The Slavering Hound at July 2021 auction

February 2021

More updates to the Census of the First Edition of The Unique Hamlet by Vincent Starrett

December 2020

SP Books publishes a facsimile of The Lost World manuscript

Updated Census of the First Edition of The Unique Hamlet by Vincent Starrett

November 2020

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2020

July 2020

Christie's sold the Professor Challenger manuscript of The Land of Mist

Sotheby's offered Sherlock Holmes manuscript of The Greek Interpreter at auction

May 2020

Christie's offers Professor Challenger manuscript of The Land of Mist via private sale

January 2020

Updates including a drawing for The Red Triangle on the Census of Sidney Paget Original Art

November 2019

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2019

July 2019

Updated: Christie's sold a chapter from The Land of Mist manuscript at auction

Auction for a Conan Doyle postcard discussing Dr. Joe Bell & Sherlock Holmes

Updated: Auction results for a Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf

June 2019

Profiles in History to offer a Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf in July

Christie's to offer a chapter from The Land of Mist manuscript at auction in July

Updated: Christie's NY sold Conan Doyle's manuscript of "A Shadow Before" at auction

May 2019

Christie's to offer Conan Doyle's manuscript of "A Shadow Before" at auction in June

An affordable Beeton's 1887 facsimile is now available

February 2019

Updates including a drawing for The Red Triangle on the Census of Sidney Paget Original Art

November 2018

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2018

Five Brigadier Gerard manuscripts at the British Library

October 2018

Beeton's copy R34 is offered for sale and added to a revised Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887 census

August 2018

Revised the Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript census, including a previously unrecorded leaf

July 2018

Updated: Sotheby's London sold the manuscript of Spedegue's Dropper

June 2018

Sotheby's London is offering the manuscript of Spedegue's Dropper for sale in July 2018

April 2018

Updated: Heritage Auctions sold The Dancing Men manuscript

March 2018

Heritage Auctions is offering The Dancing Men manuscript for sale in April 2018

November 2017

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2017

June 2017

Updated the Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript Census

Updated and added many new items to the Sidney Paget Paintings checklist

May 2017

Updated: Manuscripts from Conan Doyle 1894 lecture tour sold at May 2017 Swann auction

April 2017

Conan Doyle 1894 lecture tour manuscript offered at May 2017 Swann auction

November 2016

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2016

September 2016

Help recover a stolen Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf.

August 2016

1950s TV history: How Sherlock Holmes helped change the television industry.

Updated checklist of Sidney Paget Memorabilia.

June 2016

Results from the Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf auction

May 2016

Upcoming auction for Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf

April 2016

Sale results from the Bonhams auction of three Holmes manuscripts and two others by Conan Doyle

March 2016

Bonhams will auction three Holmes manuscripts and two others by Conan Doyle in April

Five Brigadier Gerard manuscripts, including the first Gerard story, are offered for sale

November 2015

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2015

October 2015

Updates and a photo for The Tragedy of the Korosko drawings on the Census of Sidney Paget Original Art

September 2015

New checklist of Sidney Paget Memorabilia with rare Sherlock Holmes association items.

June 2015

New photos of original Holmes drawings and general info update for the Census of Sidney Paget Original Art

Toronto announces acquisition of "The Parish Magazine" manuscript

May 2015

Catalogue published with Holmes manuscripts, original drawings & more from the Museum of London Exhibition

April 2015

Revised Hound manuscript census, including location for leaf H5.

March 2015

Updated: All three Conan Doyle manuscripts sell at March 2015 Swann auction

February 2015

Three Conan Doyle manuscripts offered at March 2015 Swann auction

November 2014

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2014

October 2014

Opening of major London exhibition of Holmes manuscripts, original drawings and more

New book reproduces the miniature manuscript of "How Watson Learned the Trick"

June 2014

Sales results for auction of The Black Peter manuscript and Paget drawing from Silver Blaze

May 2014

Added photo of the Black Peter manuscript along with more info and a photo of Conan Doyle's letter to Collier

April 2014

Added photo of Silver Blaze drawing by Paget and more info on Paget's iconic Holmes drawing with deerstalker

March 2014

Holmes manuscript and iconic Paget drawing offered at June 2014 Christie's auction

February 2014

Updates to the census for Sherlock Holmes Manuscripts and Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript

November 2013

Toronto Library Gets Brigadier Gerard Manuscript

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books & Movies on DVD / Blu-ray for 2013

August 2013

Updated census of The Unique Hamlet by Vincent Starrett - first editions with new details and the newly-identified WMH41

March 2013

Updated Hound manuscript census including a Hound leaf offered for sale

January 2013

The manuscript of "The Retired Colourman" goes on exhibit at the British Library

New Tips on using the eBSJ v2 and an in-depth review of the eBSJ v2

December 2012

Previously unrecorded Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf sold at auction

November 2012

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books, DVDs, and Blu-ray Movies for 2012

Portsmouth celebrates 125th Anniversary of Sherlock Holmes with a Beeton's 1887

October 2012

Upcoming auction for previously unrecorded Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf

Added a review of Conan Doyle's "Dangerous Work": Diary of an Arctic Adventure

September 2012

Updated census of The Conan Doyle Collection offered at Christie's in May 2004

Manuscript of Conan Doyle's farewell to Sherlock Holmes sold at auction

August 2012

New page with a detailed description and a large photo for the Conan Doyle 1880 arctic whaling diary

Updated census of The Unique Hamlet by Vincent Starrett - first editions with new details and the newly-discovered WMH40

July 2012

Added several drawings and new information to many entries on the Census of Sidney Paget Original Art

New page and photos for Sidney Paget paintings, including Paget family portraits

June 2012

New page and photos on a Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript & Rarities Exhibit in San Francisco during the Summer of 2012

Revised The Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript Census with more details on leaf H28 and other info

May 2012

Details about the upcoming first publication of Conan Doyle's "Dangerous Work": Diary of an Arctic Adventure

April 2012

The manuscript of "The Missing Three-Quarter" goes on display in Japan.

March 2012

Added copies R32 & R33 to the Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887 census, and updated most other entries

New page with details of Conan Doyle in British Library Press Releases

February 2012

News about first publication of "Dangerous Work": Diary of an Arctic Adventure by Conan Doyle

Census summary of original Sherlock Holmes manuscripts posted at this site for the first time

December 2011

Auction results for a Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf

November 2011

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Books, DVDs, and Movies for 2011

Auction for a Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript leaf

October 2011

Read the new book review of The Narrative of John Smith and other news and event updates

Added another obituary item to the Steve Clarkson bibliography

September 2011

The British Library publishes Conan Doyle's lost first novel: news, audio interviews, and more event information

More details on the free Conan Doyle exhibition at the British Library as part of publishing Conan Doyle's lost first novel

August 2011

Updated news on Conan Doyle's lost first novel including a free British Library exhibition

July 2011

Updated news on Conan Doyle's lost first novel with details of a Dan Stashower appearance

New photo of a Conan Doyle letter about the Sherlock Holmes stories from A Life in Letters

June 2011

News and History of Conan Doyle's lost first novel plus a description and photo of the manuscript

Revised The Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript Census including a photo from one leaf, links to other photos, and updated owner info

May 2011

News about a copy of Beeton's Christmas Annual in Australia going to auction in May

Conan Doyle manuscript of Spedegue's Dropper at Bloomsbury Auctions

March 2011

Updated The Unique Hamlet by Vincent Starrett - First Edition Census including a new owner for WMH38

January 2011

News about the "Scandal in Bohemia" manuscript facsimile from the BSI Manuscript Series

December 2010

Added photos of the Toronto ACD Room and catalog links for three manuscripts including "The Crown Diamond"

Updated the Best Basil Rathbone Holmes movies page with a 2010 Double Feature release and recommendations

November 2010

See the Year's Best Sherlock Holmes Items & Gifts for 2010

Feature article on Laurie King talks about writing, Russell, and Holmes

October 2010

News about the Sherlock Holmes play "The Crown Diamond" manuscript & two other manuscripts

A Sidney Paget Exhibition in San Francisco Oct. 13 – Nov. 17, 2010

September 2010

Added 4 copies and updated other entries on the Census of the First Edition of The Unique Hamlet by Vincent Starrett

August 2010

One of the best Holmes pastiches ever - read the Complete Text of The Unique Hamlet by Vincent Starrett

A new Census of the First Edition of The Unique Hamlet by Vincent Starrett

July 2010

Added several drawings and new information to many entries on the Census of Sidney Paget Original Art

New page with Missing Sidney Paget Original Drawings and a request for help locating them

Auction results for a signed Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887

June 2010

Updated details about the auction of a signed Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887

May 2010

News about a signed Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887 going to auction

December 2009

Added more 2009 info for the Best Sherlock Holmes books and DVDs for new fans page

Updated the Best Basil Rathbone DVDs page with new Double Feature releases and recommendations

November 2009

A new Census of The Hound of the Baskervilles Manuscript is available

September 2009

Detailed review of The Complete BSM on CD

July 2009

News about the Stanford Theatre 70th Anniversary showing of Rathbone Holmes movies

May 2009

News about the Sherlock Holmes story "The Creeping Man" manuscript

News about "The Three Students" manuscript facsimile from the BSI Manuscript Series

October 2008

Added copy R31 to the Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887 census and added info on five others

Website moved to new web address URL

September 2008

Another drawing and updates for the census of Sidney Paget art

July 2008

More drawings and updates for the census of Sidney Paget original art

Paperback edition of Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters

June 2008

Original manuscript of His Last Bow at Sotheby's New York

The Oxfam copy of Beeton's sold for more than $36,000 at Bonhams

Another award nomination for A Life in Letters

May 2008

A Life in Letters wins Edgar and Agatha awards for best non-fiction of the year

Added several drawings to the census of Sidney Paget art including a Holmes drawing

April 2008

Newly-discovered copy of Beeton's to be sold at Bonhams for charity

Updates to the Sidney Paget Original Sherlock Holmes drawings census

March 2008

New Census of Sidney Paget Original Sherlock Holmes Drawings & Other Artwork

More reviews and an Agatha nomination for A Life in Letters

January 2008

Added Edgar nomination news and link to ACD speaking audio to Life in Letters page

December 2007

Added a Life in Letters online audio Book Talk section and more news and reviews

November 2007

Revised the Census of the Conan Doyle collection with changes to more than 20 lots and status updates to others

Added news and reviews about Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters to the News and Press section

October 2007

Added reviews and stories about Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters to the News and Press section

New information about "The Illustrious Client" manuscript

September 2007

Added book review for Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters

Added separate Conan Doyle letters FAQ page

August 2007

Added 2 copies to Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887: An Annotated Checklist and revised many others

Added FAQs about the British edition of Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters

June 2007

Auction news: "The Three Gables" manuscript and a record Beeton's

May 2007

An update on "The Three Gables" manuscript sale set for June 21

Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters to reveal part of family archive

April 2007

"The Three Gables" manuscript will be sold at Sotheby's NY in June 2007

January 2007

News about "The Red Circle" manuscript facsimile from the BSI Manuscript Series

New online photo of part of "The Three Students" manuscript

Revised the Sherlock Holmes Manuscript Facsimile Checklist with new entries

July 2006

News about the Sherlock Holmes story 'The Illustrious Client" manuscript

June 2006

Revised Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887: An Annotated Checklist for 4 copies

May 2006

Sale Information and Results for Bonhams 2006 Sale of Conan Doyle Manuscripts

December 2005

Updated 5 lots on the Census of Auction Lots and Owners from the May 2004 Christie's sale

November 2005

Revised Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887: An Annotated Checklist for 6 copies plus facsimile info

October 2005

Added 5 lots and revised many others on the Census of Auction Lots and Owners from the May 2004 Christie's sale

August 2005

Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887: An Annotated Checklist revises Minnesota copies

June 2005

Revised the Sherlock Holmes Manuscript Facsimile Checklist with 25+ new entries

April 2005

Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887: An Annotated Checklist gets a 28th copy and numerous updates

Updated lots 12 & 24 on the Census of Auction Lots and Owners from the May 2004 Christie's sale

March 2005

Description and review of Sherlockian Heraldry by John Brousch on CD-ROM

February 2005

Information about facsimiles of manuscript notes for The Valley of Fear

Added obituary information for Steve Clarkson

January 2005

Added 1 lot and revised 9 others on the Census of Auction Lots and Owners from the May 2004 Christie's sale

Added news reports for the November 2004 Sotheby's NY sale of Conan Doyle manuscripts and a Paget original drawing

December 2004

Added a review of the manuscript facsimile of Conan Doyle's story "The Horror of the Heights"

Revised the Census of Auction Lots and Owners from the May 2004 Christie's sale

November 2004

Results from the November 2004 Sotheby's NY sale of Conan Doyle manuscripts and a Paget original drawing

Added 1 lot and revised many others on the Census of Auction Lots and Owners from the May 2004 Christie's sale

Revised the list of writings by Steve Clarkson

October 2004

Steve Clarkson: His Writings and A Eulogy

A page from the manuscript for The Hound of the Baskervilles will be sold at Sotheby's NY in November 2004

"The Solitary Cyclist" manuscript and an original Paget drawing will be sold at Sotheby's NY in November 2004

September 2004

Added 10 lots and revised 15 others on the Census of Auction Lots and Owners from the May 2004 Christie's sale

August 2004

Added 19 lots and other info to the Census of Auction Lots and Owners from the May 2004 Christie's sale

July 2004

Added 7 lots and other info to the Census of Auction Lots and Owners from the May 2004 Christie's sale

June 2004

Updated version: A Census of Auction Lots and Owners from the May 2004 Christie's sale

Results from "The Sussex Vampire" manuscript sale

May 2004

A Census of Auction Lots and Owners from the May 2004 Christie's sale

Results from Christie's 2004 Sale of the 'Lost' Papers of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

"The Sussex Vampire" Manuscript will be sold at Christie's NY in June 2004

The Ten Most Famous Quotations from the Sherlock Holmes Stories

April 2004

New reports for Christie's 2004 Sale of the 'Lost' Papers of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

March 2004

Christie's 2004 Sale of the 'Lost' Papers of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Updated version: Conan Doyle Original Manuscripts Checklist

December 2003

Updated version: Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887: An Annotated Checklist

Updated: Stock "Citings"

November 2003

Sale Results for Christie's 2003 Sale of Conan Doyle Manuscripts

October 2003

Christie's 2003 Sale of Conan Doyle Manuscripts

September 2003

Updated version of Manuscript Facsimile Checklist and associated information

New page with links to online images of Sherlock Holmes story manuscripts

June 2003

An In-Depth Review of the Sherlock Holmes Journal e-SHJ on CD

New website section on computer products: The e-World of Sherlock Holmes

May 2003

Poll results for The Best Untold Tales of Sherlock Holmes

April 2003

News about a Missing Beeton's Christmas Annual

March 2003

Updated version of Manuscript Facsimile Checklist and associated information

January 2003

Updated version: Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887: An Annotated Checklist

Updated: Stock "Citings"

December 2002

Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887: An Annotated Checklist

November 2002

Added a Site Index page to improve navigation for the site

Added some new FAQs

Added this "What's New" page to highlight site changes