"You Say He Was Painting" [RETI]

Peter Cushing, who portrayed Sherlock Holmes on the big and small screens, was best known for his acting abilities. Indeed, a certain generation probably grew up knowing him best as Grand Moff Tarkin in the original Star Wars movie. But to those who knew the man more intimately or who followed his off-stage persona, he was also a talented watercolor artist.
Earlier this week, 25 lots of his paintings were auctioned off in Kent. You may know that Pilgrims Hospice in Kent, where Cushing died, had been selling calendars featuring his watercolors. Thirteen of those paintings were included in the auction, which raised £25,000.

I don't know if the calendars are still available. You might try getting in touch with Pilgrims at:
Fundraising Office
Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0NE
For general fundraising enquiries please telephone +44 01233 504102 or 504111
Fax number +44 01233 504136
or email Susan Booth at Pilgrims Hospice in Ashford

In the meantime, here are some scans of the artwork, courtesy of Hammer & Beyond.

"I Should Hope to Inspire" [VALL]

Fellow Irregular Peter Calamai ("The Leeds Mercury") is a science journalist in Canada and always looks for a way to incorporate Sherlock Holmes into his work. You may recall that Peter's review of E.J. Wagner's The Science of Sherlock Holmes was mentioned in these pages a while ago.

In the current issue COSMOS Magazine, Peter takes on the origins of forensic science in The Real Sherlock Holmes. He describes how Holmes took many widely-used techniques which were common for other purposes - autopsies, footprint identification, chemical analysis, etc. - and he strung them together to create the beginnings of forensics as we know it today. One of the interview subjects mentioned that while certain techniques may have existed, it was Holmes who popularized them.

While we all know about Prof. Joseph Bell as one of the influences behind Sherlock Holmes, Peter makes an interesting supposition as to some other academic role models that Doyle may have drawn upon as well. Take a look at his article and see what you think.

And if you're really interested in Sherlock Holmes and forensic science, you might take a look at some of these books: