#alfred gilbert

[funstealer]

Alfred Gilbert's "St. Michael", a version of a figure from the tomb of the Duke of Clarence, Windsor.

[dailyholmes]

"'It took some violence to do that,' said Holmes, gazing at the chip on the ledge. With his cane he struck the ledge several times without leaving a mark. 'Yes, it was a hard knock.'" The Problem of Thor Bridge. Published in The Strand Magazine. Alfred Gilbert, 1922

Source

[eirinstiva]

All the world's a stage: His Last Bow

Today I received the last story of the year from my dear friend Watson. Did he write it? Apparently he didn't. It was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle? Billy again? Mycroft Holmes? We don't know, but at least I'm sure the author wasn't Sherlock Holmes because there's not a single cry of "my Watson would do this better". We know our drama queen. My theory is that Mycroft wrote it after hearing Sherlock and John talking about this case, and then ACD edited it.

[ID: Cover of The Strand Magazine vol. 65, no. 321, September 1917. And illustration of a street in navy blue. Crossing the middle of the page there's a red band with Sherlock Holmes profile that says "Sherlock Holmes outwits a German Spy]

There are many reasons of why I love this story: Holmes has the chance to use chloroform:

[ID: Sherlock Holmes (as Altamont) with a goatee, using chlorofom-soaked rag to sleep Von Bork. Illustration by Alfred Gilbert]

Holmes and Watson working together once more:

[ID: Holmes and Watson walking Von Bork slowly. Illustration by Alfred Gilbert]

Holmes in disguise with longer hair and a horrible goatee, the references to professor Moriarty, colonel Moran and Irene Adler Norton, Martha the housekeeper (Mrs. Hudson? I don't know) there's a cat! but what I really like is how Sherlock Holmes used all his knowledge, talent and expertise to work as a spy.

This is his last case. This is his last play. That's why the title of this story has been translated into Spanish as Su último saludo en el escenario, El último saludo (as in my copy of Todo Sherlock Holmes) or La última reverencia. The detective works incognito for two years: he changes his appearance, he speaks with American accent and he travels to another places. Sherlock is an actor and all the world is a stage, and for his last show he calls his friend Watson to work with him at his side for the grand finale. Holmes takes the time to drink wine with Watson and to talk about everything and nothing while Von Bork is tied (somebody is third-wheeling here, or as we say in Chile, Von Bork is playing the violin). The detective takes the chance to steal £500, use his own book Practical Handbook of Bee Culture as a decoy, and make a dramatic identity reveal because Holmes loves to be dramatic, and he really loves to be dramatic when Watson is at his side. The previous short stories are the evidence.

What happened after this? my friend Doctor Watson answer this question in the preface of the book His Last Bow:

The friends of Mr. Sherlock Holmes will be glad to learn tha he is still alive and well, though somewhat crippled by occasional attacks of rheumatism. He has, for many years, lived in a small farm upon the downs five miles from Eastbourne, where his time is divided between philosophy and agriculture. During this period of rest he has refused the most princely offers to take up various cases, having determined that his retorement was a permanent one. The approach of the German war caused him however, to lay his remarkable combination of intellectual and practical activity at the disposal of the government, with historical results which are recounted in His Last Bow. Several previous experiences which have lain long in my portfolio have been added to His Last Bow so as to complete the volumen JOHN H. WATSON, M.D.

It's been a year since Letters from Watson reunited old and new fans to read the short stories on Sherlock Holmes and next year it's time to read the novels!

[disease]

GILBERT: U-238 ATOMIC ENERGY LAB | ‘50-51

Alfred Gilbert was something of a celebrity in 1950s America thanks to his popular range of educational toys. However, his company caused quite a stir in 1951 when it released the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab, a science kit that allowed children to create nuclear reactions using radioactive chemicals. The kit came complete with several types of uranium, which is one of the ingredients in nuclear bombs. Unsurprisingly, safety concerns—it was known as ‘the world's most dangerous toy’—led to the toys being pulled from shelves. Although 5,000 had been sold by then.  [LOVEMONEY]

[maertyrer]

Alfred Gilbert St. George

Aluminium and wood, 46.2 x 28.9 x 25.7 cm, ca. 1895-99

[knchr]

PERSEUS ARMING DECK

[autolenaphilia]

Sherlock Holmes’s goatee

In “His Last Bow”, Holmes is said to have grown a “goatee” as part of his long-term disguise as “Altamont”.

And reading that story as a kid, I thought that meant a beard that included a moustache like the one that Lenin had. But no, that type of beard was called a “Van Dyke” back then, and a goatee meant only hair on the chin. 

The specific line is“a small goatee beard which gave him a general resemblance to the caricatures of Uncle Sam.”

And I didn’t have illustrations with that story as a kid, but the Strand Magazine illustrator Alfred Gilbert really delivered, so here we have Holmes with a goatee

Holmes and Watson’s dialogue about it is fun:

“...But you, Holmes - you have changed very little - save for that horrible goatee.'

'These are the sacrifices one makes for one's country, Watson,' said Holmes, pulling at his little tuft. 'To-morrow it will be but a dreadful memory.”

[electronicgallery]

The Queen Alexandra Memorial on Marlborough Road, London, which commemorates Queen Alexandra of Denmark, was executed by the sculptor Sir Alfred Gilbert between 1926 and 1932. It consists of a bronze screen incorporating allegorical figures, set into the garden wall of Marlborough House. A late example of a work in the Art Nouveau style, it was regarded by the sculptor as his "Swan song".