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This project was inspired by all the personal letters that are held within the Conan Doyle Collection archives. These are letters to and from Arthur Conan Doyle and family members. These are handwritten originals that The Detectives had the opportunity to see and read - and decipher! They searched through the catalogue and identified which letters would be used for the project.
The group wanted to explore the idea of found poetry and through a tender process they selected creative writer and artist Tom Stockley to help. Using the source material and language available they created a Zine, a short magazine inspired by punk zines, all about the letters and wider Conan Doyle Collection themes, contributing their own artwork to the publication. The Detectives and Tom also delivered a zine making workshop to a local group, Serendipity, spreading the word about the Conan Doyle Collection and The Detectives project!
The Detectives also had the opportunity to select and decipher letters for The Literacy Hub, who then planned a session with over 100 children aged 8 -11 on writing a letter in response to the selected letters.
A reinterpretation of a letter by a detective as a poem with a beat
| The original letter text | The original letter | The poem |
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Bush Villa Southsea Nov 26th190 Dear Mr Chapman I am leaving Southsea to practice in London. I have only one small item against you in my books, which I make a note of on the other side. Yours very truly A Conan Doyle |
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To the champiest Mr Chapman Southsea may be home. But I now have London privileges. Which surely will be cool and dusted. But luckily, I have a responsible replacement. Who comes from the elms of Elms Grove. His name is Dr Claremont. A man with the safest of hands. Who I trust with greater strength.
I have one more thing to say. Before I end this letter. I have a small item secured there. Right in my informative books. I'll make a note on the other side Wishing you every prosperity. I remain Yours very truly A. Conan Doyle |
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Dear Old Chap, Enclosed for you both. You will be interested to hear that I went to Mrs Lennard, the famous medium. She went into a trance and Kingsley came through & spoke for two hours showing complete knowledge of all our affairs. "I notice little Jean has altered her way of wearing her hair. I approve of it" and so on. But most of his time he was talking about the Crisis, confirming everything Phineas had said. This is really final as I told Mrs L nothing. Next year it begins. We are not to exaggerate the physical side of it, but it will be an "age of miracles" & people will panic & have to be reassured by those who know the truth. We all go aver "in a bunch" as far as he could see. There would come a climax when the veil would be rent & spirit meet with matter. It was all very wonderful as a corroboration. Write letters to grandpa - both of you & Billy (to whom please show this). Write also to Rothacker. Your loving D. My cold is better but still there. Saturday. |
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Mrs Lennard, the famous medium. Invented the flying machine. She went into trance and spoke. For some friends in their search. After the Inca's left eye.
Willy Burton is devising a new. Climax when the veil would be rent. And spirit meets with matter. All very wonderful as a corroboration.
To Rothacker, deep in history. Talking about the crisis. The astounding finale to Billy. Is very neat and pretty. |
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Grays wood Beaches Haslemere July 4/96 My dear mr Pack Beneoford It was very kind of you to write and send me this cutting from the family tree. I will forward it on to my mother who will certainly write to you. As far as I can follow it out the William Pack, fifth son of the Rev d Richard, married and had a daughter named Katherine Pack who married Dr Joley, who came of a family still thriving near Lismote. They sent the Duke of Devonshires Blackwater fishing. among their childeren was miss many Joley, who married Charles Doyle, whence came seven childeren of whom I am one. Pray give my kind rememberances to your wife and brother who is with you. We have settled down here in the Surrey hills for the summer, and the air seems to have done my wife good. with kindest regards yours very truly A Conan Doyle. |
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Hey PB, Cheers for the link of the family tree, I'll forward it on to Mum and I'm sure she'll email you back. I noticed that Will Pack, fifth son of Rev Rich got married, had Cat and Will that live in Lismore. They rent the Duke of Dev, one of their kids Mary Foley got married to Charlie Doyle. Mum and Dad who then went on to have which I'm one of seven kids. Say hi to your Mrs and Bro for me. We're loving Surrey at the moment, it so nice in the summer and the air is doing the Mrs good too! Laters Arty |
The final production of the Zine
Inspiration
images have been produced by The Detectives under the guidance of InterActive artist William Lindley for The Illusions of Mystery- Exhibitions created by volunteers as part of The Detectives project
- A series of Sherlock themed workshops held in Portsmouth libraries and a play held by the detectives.
- Talks from researchers who have recently utilised the Richard Lancelyn Green Bequests' vast Conan Doyle Collection.
- Using the themes The Lost World and The Poison Belt, supported by archives, books and objects from Conan Doyle Collection, our Detectives will host an 'Open Art' exhibition in May.
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