Fwd: Starrett Conference announcement

[Max Magee]

Hello, Notorious Canary-Trainers!

I have probably already mentioned this enough in our meetings, that you're aware, but the Torists International S.S. and Hounds of Chicagoland are putting on an awesome midwestern conference this October 23-25. The focus is Vincent Starrett, but as he was integral to the early days of the BSI and Sherlockian studies, it's also going to be about the Hounds of the Baskerville (sic), its history and relationship to Christopher Morley, and will have much discourse On the Origins of Sherlock Worship (apologies to the Trees).

This is a rare opportunity to attend a Hounds of the Baskerville (sic) meeting, because they're only held once in a blue moon (heck, I think we've had a couple of blue moons since the last Hounds dinner)! There's no obligation to attend both, but I recommend it, if you want the full experience. Attention has been paid to price-conscious folks, so most of the festivities are a la carte (you're free to pick a different hotel, for instance, but the group rate is pretty nice). Also, your fellow Notorious Canary-Trainers, Jon Shimberg and Linda Crohn are the leaders of this conference and Rudy, Bob and I have been a part of the organizing committee, so you'll have a lot of friendly faces.

Especially, if you've never been to a Sherlockian Conference (or not been to one in some time), I encourage you to register for this one (it's the closest one we've had an opportunity to attend, at least since I've been a Sherlockian), and it's bringing in some big names in our community from across the country and around the world already!

If you've got questions, let me know and I'll try my best to answer them or take them back to Jon and Linda. I also recommend the Blue Carbuncle Dinner this coming December 27th, which is a Saturday, where Jon and Linda are going to be presenting on Family Law in the Canon and I'll be your Emcee.

Your Brother in Holmes,

Max

Max "Magic Jezail Bullet" Magee

"I had remained indoors all day, for the weather had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as a relic of my Afghan campaign, throbbed with dull persistency." 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Starrett Conference <starre...@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Dec 8, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Subject: Starrett Conference announcement

Our Fellow Sherlockians and Bibliophiles

We are happy to invite each and every one of you to attend the Starrett weekend – October 23-25, 2026.  We have planned or arranged many events to honor Vincent Starrett, who was one of the founders of the Baker Street Irregulars and the Hounds of Baskerville (sic). He wrote three seminal works about Sherlock Holmes, The Unique Hamlet, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (TPLoSH) and the immortal sonnet, 221B.  He also edited 221B: Studies in Sherlock Holmes, among many other contributions.   He authored many mysteries, poems and essays, and wrote the Books Alive column at the Chicago Tribune for over 25 years.  He clearly earned the sobriquet “the last bookman.”

We have gathered eight speakers who will present at the And It Is Always 1895 conference on Saturday, October 24, 2026.  We have also arranged for all conference attendees to be invited to attend the annual Hounds of the Baskerville (sic) dinner, an invitation-only event. Starrett founded the group in 1943. 

In addition to helping Sherlockians appreciate the seminal role Starrett played in the Sherlockian world, our goal is to raise funds for an endowment to maintain Starrett’s gravesite at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.  We plan to have a rededication of the site on Sunday, October 25, 2026.  All are encouraged to attend. 

We have made arrangements for group rates at the Courtyard by Marriott – Wood Dale, for less than $130 per night, breakfast included.  The rate will be available for two days before through two days after the conference to permit those who wish to stay in Chicago for its many treasures, Sherlockian or otherwise.   The link for registration for the hotel will  be emailed to those who have registered for the conference. 

The second page is the registration form.  Please note that effective August 1, 2026, the cost of registration for the conference is increased to $225, so register early.

Linda Crohn

Jonathan Shimberg

Co-Chief Stewards Torists International S.S.