A Dedication to Jeremy Brett

"Let me recommend this book..." --Sherlock Holmes, from The Sign of Four

Influencing Those Inspired Illustrators is a commemoration to Jeremy Brett's international influence in literature. These are illustrations taken from books, mainly Sherlock Holmes editions, who apparently used Jeremy (or the Granada production) as their model of inspired -- and it shows! Increments are either in US dollar ($) or UK sterling (Ł), unless addressed otherwise.

For other listings of Brettish nostalgia, please consult Memorabilia Brettiana, Publicationa Brettiana, and Paraphernalia Brettiana de Exotica. For more Brettish artwork, consult Artistry.

Six images were extracted from La Société Sherlock Holmes de France. I wish to express my wonderful thank yous to The Redheaded League for inspring in creation of this section, in providing six illustrations images, plus grand information.

Please do NOT use these images publicly commerically. These are the legal copyrights of the artists and publishers. If any Brettian wishes to contribute more images and/or information in the further construction of this section, please consult the editor. Upward and onward.

Last on 02 October 2000

Children's Classic Compendium: Parragon Classic *NEW*
Illustration Š1999 Uncredited, UK.
ISBN 0752530208

The editor discovered this cover unexpectedly at the book section of a Toys R Us Store! The resemblance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson to Granada's portrayal is nearly uncanny. The Holmes is a definite and obvious model after Jeremy Brett, despite the bizzare, somewhat unnatural, twist of the mouth (must have been an artistic error). And the Watson is David Burke's body, suit, and bowler hat, pasted with an unknown, but still Watsonian, face. If still unconviced compare the illustration with this photograph, click HERE. Unfortunately, the artist of this cover is uncredited. If there is any Brettian has further information as to the illustator and other details related to this image, please contact the editor.

This is rather thick compendium for children, containing three classic pieces of literture: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (of course), White Fang by Jack London, and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Over 485pp, paperback, published in 1999 by Siena Book, an imprint of Parragon. Printed and bound in the UK. Retail price $1.99 (NOTE: Online proveyor has not been found. The editor recommends visiting you local Toys R Us Store to obtain copies)

Sherlock Holmes: Reader's Digest Editions *DISCONTINUED*
Illustration Š1988 Sergio Martinez, USA
Contributating Thanks to: The Redheaded League

Caption: "I raised it, and this was what I read, roughly scrawled in pencil: 'Dr. Watson has gone to Coombe Tracy.'...(HOUN)"

Award-winning illustator, Sergio Martinez, brings Sherlock Holmes to life in brilliant and beautiful paintings (believed to be oil). Accordingly Mr Martinez used William Gillette, the first Holmesian actor, as his Holmes and yet curiously used Edward Hardwicke as his Watson!!

Reader's Digest editions (with art by Mr Martinez) have published the complete stories in volumes (so far known to the editor): The Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, The Adventures, The Memoirs, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Return, His Last Bow, and The Casebook. The editor has been unable to locate an online proveyor for these books, yet she has located several copies before in local libraries and used or half-priced bookstores. Hardcover, leather-bound, some editions are gold-trimmed.

The Shadow of the Rat: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure *NEW*
Illustration Š1999 Unknown, Canada(?)

Pastiche written by David Stuart Davies, author of Bending the Willow and Fixed Point. Unfortunately the name of the cover artist is unknown. The stylised image of Holmes strikingly resembles that of Jeremy Brett! If there is any Brettian has further information as to the illustator and other details related to this image, please contact the editor.

The story: Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson accidentally meet up with an old acquaintance, and do not immediately realise that this innocent encounter drew them into a vast conspiracy. A body was found floating in the river, deliberately infected with the plague virus, and soon Holmes and Watson find themselves seeking answers at The Bridge of Dreams, a club where a person's every darkest wish can be gratified -- for a price. In this twilight world of depravity and corruption, the great detective finds himself in the grip of a will even stronger than his own. It is then left to Dr Watson to find help for his friend, in time for the pair to be able to face up to the most monstrous opponent they have ever encountered -- the Giant Rat of Sumatra -- in a tale for which the world is finally prepared! 162pp, either paperback or hardcover. Available at Calabash Press in paperback for Ł2.50, US$19.50, CDN$23.50 or in hardcover for Ł9.00, US$30.00, CDN$40.00. Also available at The Mysterious Bookshop in hardcover for $30.00 or paperback for $19.95, or at Classic Specialties for $15.50 (item BK/ACT) (NOTE: The latter 2 items are NOT located on the Classic Specialties website. For purchase, please contact them via email, specifying the wanted item)

Sherlock Holmes - The Last Act *NEW*
Illustration Š1990(?) Unknown, Canada(?)

A new one-man play script written by David Stuart Davies, author of Bending the Willow and Fixed Point. Unfortunately the name of the cover artist is unknown. The stylised image of Holmes strikingly resembles that of Jeremy Brett! If there is any Brettian has further information as to the illustator and other details related to this image, please contact the editor.

The story: The play premiered to enthusiastic audiences at England's Salisbury Playhouse early in 2000, and appears at the Edinburgh Festival and other locations before moving to London. Sherlock Holmes - The Last Act accordingly promises to become a favourite, particularly with Sherlockians, and the play script. Foreword by Edward Hardwicke, introductory essay by Roger Llewellyn, who is making the part of Holmes his own on stage, and afterword by Mr Davies, telling how the play came about. It's a must read for playgoers and Sherlockians alike! 68pp, trade paperback. Available at Calabash Press for Ł9.50, US$15.00, CDN$20.00. Also available at The Mysterious Bookshop for $15.95, or at Classic Specialties for $19.95 for paperback (item BK/RATP) or $30.50 for hardcover (item BK/RATH) (NOTE: This item are NOT located on the Classic Specialties website. For purchase, please contact them via email, specifying the wanted item)

The Scroll of the Dead: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure *WITH LIMITED EDITIONS*
Illustration Š1998 Unknown, Canada(?)
ISBN 1899562435 (limited edition hardcover)
ISBN 1899562478 (paperback)

The story: The Scroll of the Dead finds Holmes pitting his wits against one of the most obsessive foes he has ever encountered -- Sebastian Melmoth, a Wildean character hell-bent on attaining immortality through secrets contained in an Egyptian papyrus. In this fast-paced adventure, the action switches from London to Norfolk to the picturesque surroundings of Cumberland's Lake District, as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson once more battle with the forces of evil. But even when the case is brought to a conclusion, the danger is still not over for Sherlock Holmes. 147pp, either in paper back of limited edition cloth-hardcover. Available at Calabash Press in limited edition hardcover for Ł19.00, US$30.00, CDN$40.00, or in paperback for Ł12.50, US$19.50, CDN$23.50. Autographed copies available at The Mysterious Bookshop for $40.00 (limited edition hardcover), $23.00 (paperback)

An Illustration from The Adventure of the Copper Beaches
Illustration Š1986 Unknown, UK
Contributating Thanks to: The Redheaded League

Caption: "As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room...(COPP)"

It has been two years since the premiere of the Granada series when this image appeared in 1986 in the UK. Unfortunately the name of the artist is unknown. Despite the mysteries of its sketchy origin (no pun intended), the detective's image is accordingly based off Jeremy Brett's Holmes done in pen and ink!

If there is any Brettian has further information as to the illustator and other details related to this image, please contact the editor.

Baker Street T1: Sherlock Holmes Fears Nothing *NEW*
Illustration Š1999 Nicholas Barral (with Pierre Veys), France
Contributating Thanks to: The Redheaded League and La Société Sherlock Holmes de France
ISBN 2840553511

Baker Street T1: Sherlock Holmes n'a peur de rien by Pierre Veys and Nicolas Barral. This is a "graphic novel" (alias "comic book") of funny and witty Sherlockian parody of the stories. A correspondent of the editor's enlighten her on this discover at La Société Sherlock Holmes de France, apparently Containing 5 hilerious short stories: The Incident at the Thames (L'incident sur la Tamise), Ophiophobie, Tossing the Cabbie (Tossing the caber), The Red Wood of Pernambouc (Le bois rouge de Pernambouc), and Ransom for a Mummy (Rançon pour une momie).

Curiously, the cariacture of Holmes was modeled after Jeremy Brett!! If you examine closely, the Granada influence is very present (ie: the Baker Street study). Note to mind that this is a comically graphic novel, it's not a flattering portrayal of the Canon (Mrs Hudson's poisioning meals with lion's mane jellyfish, or Holmes tripping Watson down a flight of stairs to name a few). Instead, it is "affectionately" done! A open mind and a good heart is needed for this reading. This is the first volume of a new series, the second volume, Sherlock Holmes et le Club des Sport Dangereux (TSherlock Holmes and the Club of Dangerous Sports), is too be released January 2001. 48pp, paperback, perfect binding. Available at Alapage.com. 55.10 francs, US$9.73 (More sample artwork: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 )

The Seventeen Steps: Encyclopedia of Sherlock Holmes *DISCONTINUED SINCE 1999*
Illustration Š1998 Unknown, Italy

Seaching through the La Société Sherlock Holmes de France, the editor was shifted into the a link to The Florentine Sherlock Holmes. In the section News & Curiositŕ and she discovered a "curiositŕ" indeed! Italian Sherlockians, Seńiores Stefano Guerra and Enrico Solito, complied an extensive reference for their own tongue: I Diciassentte Scalini: Enciclopedia di Sherlock Holmes. This is the very first Sherlockian Encyclopedia done in Italian -- a personal index to the Canon!

Unfortunately, the cover artist is unknown. Yet the illustration is very, very remarkably alikeness with a image of Jeremy Brett and David Burke! To compare the charming coincidence, click HERE. Unfortunately, the name of the artist is unknown. If there is any Brettian has further information as to the illustator and other details related to this image, please contact the editor. 133pp, paperback, perfect binding. Consult Seńior Enrico Solito for purchase of this item for 24 mila (NOTE: If there are difficulites with the email, telephone at 06-8185269)

Calabash Press Š Chris and Barbara Roden 2000 [Canada]
The Mysterious Bookshop: The World's Largest Mystery Specialty Book Store. Š Mysterious Bookshop 1994-2000 [US]
The Florentine Sherlock Holmes Š Enrico Solito 1998-2000 [Italy]
Alapage - achat en ligne Š Alapage.com, Inc. 1999-2000 [France]