The 2026 BSI Weekend Report

Sherlockians from far and wide gathered in New York City for the 2026 BSI Weekend, the 92nd anniversary of the first meeting of the Baker Street Irregulars (BSI). The events for this weekend, which celebrated the 172th birthday of Sherlock Holmes, ran from January 7-11, with the annual BSI dinner on Friday, January 9.

The Baker Street Irregulars Press (BSI Press) introduced two books at the Vendor’s Room on Saturday Morning, including Irregular Chronicles of the Early ‘Fifties, and Trenches: The War Service of Sherlock Holmes, at the recent 2026 BSI Weekend. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the first edition, the BSI Press is offering this second edition of Trenches in softcover.

You may view all the BSI Press books here.

On Thursday evening, BSI members and guests were thoroughly entertained by Rupert Holmes, the Distinguished Lecture speaker for 2026. His anecdotes about the music business, growing up as a Sherlockian, and the dream of someday becoming a BSI member were both amusing and well-received.

Rupert’s entire lecture, as well as a full summary of the Weekend, will be published in the Spring edition of the Baker Street Journal. You can subscribe now to ensure you receive the entire 2026 series of Journals by clicking here.

Rupert has combined two of his passions, music and Sherlockiana. Throughout his lecture, Mr. Holmes entertained us with his blending of music and Sherlockiana.

In 1954, Rupert was introduced to Sherlock Holmes with the short-lived series, Sherlock Holmes, and played “The Theme Song from Sherlock Holmes composed by Paul Durand, starring Ronald Howard”, which he would watch in the late afternoon after a “grueling day in Third Grade.”

While sick in bed the summer before college, Rupert was introduced to Basil Rathbone in the initial film of the Rathbone/Bruce series and gave the audience, “The Moriarty Theme from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes composed by Cyril J. Mockridge,” which was originally played by a mysterious Gaucho in the film.

In Rupert’s LP collection, he possesses a record of Basil Rathbone reading “The Final Problem” with the famous Sherlockian poem, 221b, attached at the end, read by Rathbone. Rupert created music to accompany the poem “’221b’ by Vincent Starrett put to music”, signing it in front of a crowd for the first time.

Of course, the program would not have been complete without Mr. Holmes singing his signature song, but for the BSI Weekend and the BSI Distinguished Speaker Lecture, a whimsical “Sherlockiana version of Escape (The Pina Colada Song)”.

Rupert Holmes

On Friday at the Gillette Luncheon, Burt Wolder, BSI (“The Third Pillar from the Left”) received the Susan Rice Mentorship Award, recognizing his life-long mentoring to others in the Sherlock Holmes Community.

Burt Wolder, BSI

Twelve Sherlockians received Investiture certificates at the 2026 BSI Dinner. The Honours List includes:

Michael Barton – “Baron Von Herling”
Matt Hall – “The Earl of Maynooth”
Linda Hein – “The Hotel National”
Jen Kneeland – “The Haymarket Theatre”
Richard Krisciunas – “William Morris”
Max Magee – “Cyril Morton”
Rusty Mason – “John Mason”
Ashley Mayo – “Capital and Counties Bank”
Madeline Quiñones – “Sir Joshua Reynolds”
George Scheetz – “John Clayton”
P.J. Sullivan – “The Ancient Cornish Language”
Tom Ue – “London University”

In addition, The Two Shilling Award was issued to Evelyn Herzog, BSI (“The Daintiest Thing Under a Bonnet”) and Denny Dobry, BSI (A Single Large Airy Sitting-Room”) for service above and beyond.

Top Row From Left to Right: Linda Hein, Michael Barton, P.J. Sullivan, Rusty Mason, Tom Ue, Ashley Mayo, Max Magee, Richard Krisciunas, George Scheetz. Bottom Row From Left to Right: Jen Kneeland, Madeline Quiñones, Evelyn Herzog (Two Shilling), and Denny Dobry (Two Shilling)

Ann Brauer Andriacco, the wife of Dan Andriacco, BSI (“St. Saviour’s, Near King’s Cross”), was honored as The Woman for 2026. Robert Sharfman, BSI (“Killer Evans”) introduced and toasted Ann at the Cocktail Party.

Ann Brauer Andriacco and Robert Sharfman

Fabienne Courouge, BSI (“Henri Fournaye”) was given the 2025 Morley-Montgomery Award for her article, “Edmond Locard, the Forensic Pioneer Inspired by Sherlock Holmes”, which appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of the Baker Street Journal (BSJ).

Fabienne Courouge and Dan Andriacco

As always, Betsy Rosenblatt, BSI (“Lucy Ferrier”), and Albert Rosenblatt, BSI (“Inspector Bradstreet”), provided the audience with a wonderful poem summarizing the entire weekend. Read or download the Complete Sherlockian Poem for this year.

Albert Rosenblatt and Betsy Rosenblatt

At the conclusion of the BSI Dinner on Friday night, Michael Kean, BSI (“General Charles Gordon”), who has served honorably as Wiggins for the past 6 years, announced his retirement. Steven Doyle, BSI (“The Western Morning News”) will assume the duties of Wiggins.

Michael Kean and Steven Doyle

At the end of the auction during the Saturday BSI Luncheon Reception, Peter Blau, BSI (“Black Peter”) handed over the duties of auctioneer (after approximately 35 years of wonderful service), to Scott Monty, BSI (“Corporal Henry Wood”).