THE SHERLOCK HOLMES SOCIETY OF LONDON - Grapevine Service

22, Wisteria Lodge, Lupin Drive, Chelmsford, Essex. CM1 5FT

24th May 1984

Ms C. J. Martin of "Woodlea", Lancaster Lane, Parbold, nr Wigan, Lancs. WN8 7AA has a

number of original oil paintings of Holmes and Watson (by herself) for sale. The colour

photographs she's sent me look very impressive: I'll try to reproduce them on the photocopier,

but I suspect it won't do them justice. On the left is "Holmes & Watson II", 25" x 17" approx., for

which Ms Martin asks £40; on the right is "An East Wind", 30" square and framed, which is the

largest and at £100 the most expensive. Other prices range between the two: Ms Martin will

supply details. She's also prepared to undertake commissions, citing as examples copies of

Strand illustrations in pencil, coloured pencil, ink, etc; prices start at £8 for a pencil drawing

sized A4.

Mr Tony Medawar has sent me a couple of copies of a new children's comic, Melvin's Money

Fun, which is issued by the Department for National Savings through the National Savings

Bank. A full page is devoted to the exploits of "Sheerluck Jones, the super sleuth". The comic is

entirely written by Denis Gifford, who probably knows more about comics - not to mention

films, radio, TV and nostalgia - than the full membership of the Sherlock Holmes Society. The

overall appearance is strongly reminiscent of Radio Fun and other comics of my childhood. One

for collectors.

The enclosed advert from the Los Angeles Actors' Theatre appears by courtesy of the Solar Pons

Society of London. The poster advertised may be of interest to collectors. Rich ones, at any rate,

since it works out at about £10 a copy. Anyone lucky enough to be visiting Los Angeles this

summer will be glad of advance notice of the production.

This production is described as the "World Premiere". Well, ten years ago, the Open Space

Theatre in London gave the world premiere production of a play called Sherlock's Last Case,

which has since had several productions both in Britain and abroad. The play was written by

Matthew Lang, and the original director was Charles Marowitz. Can anyone tell me whether

this new play is actually new or the same one revised - and is Matthew Lang really Charles

Marowitz? The thick plottens . . .

The June issue of Book & Magazine Collector contains two advertisements of interest. Morley

Case, 144 Western Avenue, Bournemouth BH10 6HL has a number of Sherlock Holmes and

Conan Doyle books for sale, including some less common items, all reasonably priced. In the

wanted section is an ad from Conan Doyle Books, 16 Priory Close, Aldwick Bay, Bognor Regis,

West Sussex - presumably they sell books as well . . .