The 94th anniversary of the Master’s birth was marked by the convocation of a Select Committee in Camera of Irregulars, which, as Edgar W. Smith’s report in the April 1948 Baker Street Journal relates, “took counsel on matters of high import relating to the organization’s future.” Thus, many of the customary features of the Irregulars’ meetings were afforded only “passing notice.”
Four Canonical toasts, including Rex Stout’s tribute to “The Woman,” were proffered. James W. Montgomery sang the songs of Birdie Edwards and Irene Adler’s rendering. For the first time since the Irregulars’ inception, Christopher Morley, Gasogene-cum-Tantalus, was not present. In his absence, Robert K. Leavitt and Mr. Stout oversaw the proceedings. Near the evening’s close, Mr. Leavitt presented his rendition of “The Preposterously Paired Performances of the Preacher’s Portrait.”
Dinner Details: January 9, 1948
Racquet and Tennis Club, New York, NY
Dinner Photo Information
As far as we know, no group photo was taken of the January 9, 1948 BSI Dinner.The 1948 BSI Dinner menu photo above is from the digitized BSI Trust collection at Houghton Library, Harvard University. Click on it to see a larger version.
None recorded.
What is an Investiture?
Two-Shilling Award:
Not awarded until 1962.
What is a Two-Shilling Award?
The Woman:
Not identified; possibly none.
What is The Woman honour?
"Stand with me here upon the terrace..."
(as named at this Dinner, not their year of passing)
None this year.
What is the origin of “standing on the terrace?”
Morley-Montgomery Award:
Not awarded until 1959.
What is the Morley-Montgomery Award?
List of 1948 BSI Dinner Attendees (digitized image at Harvard)
The Baker Street Irregulars, Irregular Crises of the Late ‘Forties, ed. Jon L. Lellenberg, (New York: The Baker Street Irregulars, 1999)
Cover, interior, and back. Sequence 10-12.
Previous dinner: the 1947 BSI Dinner
Next dinner: the 1949 BSI Dinner
For an index to all BSI Dinners and photos, see our BSI Dinner Summary list.
The BSI Archive is located at the Houghton Library at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Archival material may be used by any qualified scholar, subject to the normal rules and regulations of the Library. For links to a detailed finding aid and related information, see our BSI Archive at Harvard page.
Page composed on 11/23/14 by Tamar Zeffren.
This page last updated 3/21/15 by Andy Solberg.
BSI Honours List
Investitures:None recorded.
What is an Investiture?
Two-Shilling Award:
Not awarded until 1962.
What is a Two-Shilling Award?
The Woman:
Not identified; possibly none.
What is The Woman honour?
"Stand with me here upon the terrace..."
(as named at this Dinner, not their year of passing)
None this year.
What is the origin of “standing on the terrace?”
Morley-Montgomery Award:
Not awarded until 1959.
What is the Morley-Montgomery Award?
Reports on the Dinner
1948 BSI Dinner Minutes (digitized images at Harvard)List of 1948 BSI Dinner Attendees (digitized image at Harvard)
The Baker Street Irregulars, Irregular Crises of the Late ‘Forties, ed. Jon L. Lellenberg, (New York: The Baker Street Irregulars, 1999)
Recordings
None available online at this time.Related Materials
1948 BSI Dinner Menu (digitized image at Harvard)Cover, interior, and back. Sequence 10-12.
Previous dinner: the 1947 BSI Dinner
Next dinner: the 1949 BSI Dinner
For an index to all BSI Dinners and photos, see our BSI Dinner Summary list.
The BSI Archive is located at the Houghton Library at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Archival material may be used by any qualified scholar, subject to the normal rules and regulations of the Library. For links to a detailed finding aid and related information, see our BSI Archive at Harvard page.
Page composed on 11/23/14 by Tamar Zeffren.
This page last updated 3/21/15 by Andy Solberg.
