Heritage Auctions will offer two unique plaques that were presented to a writer on the release of a Sherlock Holmes-related book.
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The two plaques both commemorate Vincent Starrett's 221B - Studies in Sherlock Holmes. One is believed to have been presented at the annual dinner of the Baker Street Irregulars - a group of dedicated enthusiasts formed in 1934 - in January 1940, while the other is presumed to have been presented following the Canadian publication of the book in July of that year.
However, exactly why and when the plaques were made remains unknown, leaving the buyer with a Holmes-style mystery of their own to solve.
They are each expected to make $11,500+ at the October 8 Rare Books Signature Auction in Beverly Hills.
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Each of the plaques is laced with references to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's works, as well as various important members of the BSI. Both are marked "MDIVANI PARIS 1948", which suggests they were once owned by the author's son Denis Conan-Doyle.
A mysterious legend at the bottom centre of the plates reads "Lambie & Barrowman" who were the two key witnesses in the 1909 Oscar Slater murder case, which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle followed closely. It is unknown why they are mentioned on the plaques.
Also featuring in the sale is a rare archive of correspondence from author Cormac McCarthy.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a fantastic handwritten list by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which lists various celebrities of the time and is accompanied by correspondence from his relatives and friends.