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First Sherlock Holmes Story
Arthur Conan Doyle penned his first Sherlock Holmes mystery in 1886 at the age of 27. It was entitled ‘A Study in Scarlet’ and was published in the celebrated Beeton’s Christmas annual of 1887. He sold all the rights for this first mystery to Beeton’s for £25, thereby losing all future earnings for the tale.
Portsmouth City Museum came by this treasure when Richard Lancelyn Green dedicated his extensive collection to them upon his death in 2004. He was an avid Holmes collector. The collection was so large that it took two weeks to catalogue the huge amount of artifacts. Within it was the greatest prize of all - Conan Doyle’s first ever Holmes story.
The novel was produced in book form in July 1888, published by Ward, Lock & Co. This book was illustrated by Arthur Conan Doyle's father, Charles Doyle.
A second edition appeared the following year and contained illustrations by George Hutchinson. Numerous further editions, translations and dramatisations have since appeared. Although Doyle wrote dozens of short stories featuring Holmes, ‘A Study in Scarlet’ is one of only four full-length novels in the original canon.
Presenter Mohini Sule says: "Sherlock Holmes and his many mysteries are as enthralling today as they were to readers 120 years ago."
Where can it be found? At the Portsmouth City Museum.
Ted Ryan, bibliographical services librarian, says: "The story introduces us straight away to the characters that have become so familiar to us."
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