Sherlock Holmes
is a name closely connected to pipe smoking. His persona is
a product of an Optician by profession, and writer, Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle. Doyle lived during a period, 1859 to 1930 where
he saw many changes take place in the world. His stories of
our detective became very popular. Doyle once killed off Holmes
but brought him back due to public outcry for more mystery.
Doyle was Knighted 'Sir Arthur', in 1902 due to his work in
war propaganda. Doyle was a self proclaimed Spiritualist, and
politically active without holding public office.
Holmes was quite the Pipe Smoker
Hollywood
promoted his pipe smoking frequently depicting Holmes with his
deer stalker cap and a calabash pipe. The calabash was however
a product of the movie makers, for nowhere in the 60 stories
of Sherlock Holmes is there mention of a calabash. Clay pipes,
and briars however are smoked by Holmes, and many of the stories
characters, as we find in the story, 'A Case of Identity'
Then he took down from the rack the old and oily clay pipe,
which was to him as a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned
back in his chair, with the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning
up from him, and a look of infinite languor in his face.
Actors
The case of indentity
is a story of a young
woman wronged by her mother and step-father and involves Holmes
finding a missing groom. This case can easily be read in an
hour or so. As noted, there is an oily clay pipe smoked by Holmes,
as well as a cigarette, and Watson is offered a pinch of snuff
in the story. The reader should of course enjoy reading this
case with a favoured pipe and a slow tobacco.
The young woman, Miss Sutherland, is duped by her mother and
step-father in this story. They are after her money and use
a strange plan to assure their continued income from her. Holmes
takes in the facts from Miss Sutherland and instructs her to
forget her man, who had disappeared on the way to the church
for their wedding. Holmes uses a clever method to bring to Baker
street the scoundrel in this case, who has broken no laws. Today
this case might end a little different.
Films
Holmes had a close friend
and associate, Dr. Watson.
Doyle uses the character Watson as a readers insight into Holmes'
personal traits and especially the skill of deductive reasoning.
Watson too was a pipe smoker. They spent a great deal of time
in the stories having their first and last pipe of the day.
Quotes
We had breakfasted
and were smoking our
morning pipe on the day after the remarkable experience which
I have recorded, when Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, very solemn
and impressive, was ushered into our modest sitting-room.
