La Gazette du 221B : Hello Ray, can you tell us when and why was the BSI Trust created?
Ray Betzner : The Baker Street Irregulars is the first literary society dedicated to Sherlock Holmes, with a history that stretches back more than 90 years. For most of that time, our history was largely told in bits and pieces, through the contemporary writings of its members and the news media. There was also a strong oral tradition. But all of these offer only incomplete glimpses of the society’s broader history. In the late 1980s, Jon L. Lellenberg (with the encouragement of Tom Stix, our “Wiggins” at the time) began editing the BSI Archival Series, which brought together early writings, plus correspondence from founding Irregulars and other elements of the BSI’s early years. Beginning with “Dear Starrett—”/ “Dear Briggs—” in 1989, these books published important information about Irregular history through the 1940s. Some of the BSI’s historic materials were also handed down from one leader to the next. When Mike Whelan succeeded Tom as “Wiggins,” he wanted to make sure that these documents and others telling the history of the BSI would have a home of their own.
In 2003, Mike created the BSI Trust , which is part of the BSI. Under Mike’s guidance, the Trust established its first home in the Houghton Library at Harvard University in November 2005. The archive moved to the Lilly Library at Indiana University in September 2018
G.221B : When and how did you become the chairman?
R.B. : I’ve been aware of the Trust and its activities for many years, but was honored a few years ago when then-Chairman Tom Horrocks asked me to come on board as the newsletter editor. When Tom became ill in 2023, he had to step back from the chairman’s role and Michael Kean asked if I would take on the chairman’s role. It will be tough matching Tom’s great work. I’m delighted Tom is well again and remains a board member. He’s been a valuable guide in my early months on the job.
G.221B : What’s the purpose of the Trust?
R.B. : The BSI Archive was not established to build a collection of Sherlockian books. Instead, the Trust’s purpose is to collect, preserve, and provide access to historical documents, correspondence, papers, photos, recordings, and memorabilia relating to the BSI, its members and friends. And just because we have a history that extends back to the 1930s, it doesn’t mean we aren’t collecting more contemporary items in those categories as well. We have a detailed list of materials we would like to have listed here. Our goal is to make as much of this material as possible publicly available for researchers, whether they’re Irregulars, Sherlockians or from the academic community
G221B : How is the Trust organized? How are the decisions made?
R.B. : There is a very active group of dedicated Irregulars who lead the Trust: Peter Blau, Mary Ann Bradley, Bob Coghill, Denny Dobry, Steve Doyle, Tom Horrocks, Bob Katz, Michael Kean, Les Klinger, Richard Olken, Marsha Pollak, Steve Rothman, and Tamar Zeffren. Decisions about our activities and priorities are discussed among the board members.
If I can, I would like to say something about these folks. First, you will notice that Michael Kean, our “Wiggins,” is a part of this group. Having the support of the BSI’s leader is vitally important, and Michael has been a huge advocate for our efforts. Second, the list includes remarkably talented Irregulars who have dedicated hundreds, perhaps thousands, of hours to further the Trust’s efforts. I’m constantly amazed that these resourceful and thoughtful people are so committed to the Irregulars and its history.
G221B : How has the Archive been useful in research? Give us an example?
R.B. : For three years, the Trust has invited someone to deliver a Zoom lecture and in 2023, Baker Street Journal Editor Emeritus Steven Rothman took on that challenge. Steve gave a tremendous presentation that was very popular with viewers, and credited the information at the Trust with making his talk a terrific one. (You can view the three Trust lectures here. By the way, this fall’s lecture will be an international one, with Mattias Boström as our special guest speaker. Look for more information about his talk later this spring
G221B : What are the trust’s projects?
R.B. : There are so many amazing projects underway. It’s sometimes hard to keep track of them all.The Lilly Library has been working hard to improve our prominence. For example, we have just unveiled a new landing page for the Trust, which is a great starting point for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Irregulars Archive. Many thanks to Irregulars Erika Dowell at the Lilly and Tamar Zeffren for their continued work.
The Oral History Project (OHP) has been a remarkable success. There have been nearly 250 completed interviews of Irregulars. The OHP has many folks behind it, under the guidance of Marshal Pollock. In years to come, this resource will prove to be invaluable. I’m also pleased to note that The Women, who have been honored before each BSI dinner, are now conducting their own interviews, which will be added to the Lilly Library collection.
One new initiative we’ve brought online this year is reaching out to individual Irregulars to make sure they know about the Trust and how they can participate in building the Archive. There are so many Irregulars who have fine collections of letters and photographs, for example, and we want to make sure those items find a home at the Lilly Library.
Speaking of photographs, we are working with Ben and Sue Vizoskie, who have been collecting thousands of photographs of Irregulars and BSI-sponsored events. We hope to get those photos to the Lilly this year and start work on a plan for making them public.
Finally, the Sherlockian bookshop run by Denny Dobry is now international! Denny has hundreds of books and related Sherlockian collectibles at excellent prices. He has been fulfilling requests from Canada and Europe. Contact him via email at dendobry@ptd.net. All proceeds from Denny’s sales support the BSI Trust.
La gazette du 221 B 