You are here: Exhibitions > A Study for Sherlock
A Study for Sherlock
In the opening scenes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s first Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlet (written in Portsmouth), Holmes and Dr Watson go to view some lodgings at 221B Baker Street.
'They consisted of a couple of comfortable bedrooms and a single large airy sitting-room, cheerfully furnished and illuminated by two broad windows. So desirable in every way were the apartments, and so moderate did the terms seem when divided between us, that the bargain was concluded upon the spot, and we at once entered into possession…That done, we gradually began to settle down and to accommodate ourselves to our new surroundings.'
And settle they did. This address was to stay unchanged through all the many stories about Doyle’s extraordinary detective. And the sitting-room became Holmes’s laboratory and study, the centre of his investigations.
As part of the Sharing Sherlock project Portsmouth MIND group designed, built and painted their own personal version of this most famous of imaginary places, the study of Sherlock Holmes and his fellow detective, Dr Watson. To accompany their display, they selected a variety of objects on the same theme.
The Exhibition display stand and Exhibits
The exhibition stand displaying items from the Conan Doyle Collection.
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson illustration
A black and white illustration, by Sidney Paget, of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in Sherlock's study.
A Map of Great Britain
A map which hung on the wall of Sherlock Holmes' study.
A Study for Sherlock
The original study
A photo of Sherlock Holmes' study at 221B Baker Street - on which Portsmouth Mind based their creation.
Creating a facsimile version
The end result
To see more images and find out more about the collection, email: sherlock.holmes@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Explore the collection
The Coming of the Fairies Map
A map of the Cottingley Beck and Glen.showing where the fairies were 'found'.
The Death of 'Touie'
Throughout the month of August, we remember Louisa Hawkins (August, 2018)
Photo of William Gillette
American actor-manager, William Gillette (1853-1937) was best remembered for portraying Sherlock…
Photo of Arthur Conan Doyle in civilian dress watching a display of rifle shooting
Photograph of Arthur Conan Doyle in civilian dress watching a display of rifle shooting some time…
Photograph of the Study for Sherlock
Photograph of the Study for Sherlock created by Portsmouth MIND as part of the Sharing Sherlock…
Photo Arthur Conan Doyle with Jean and Harry HoudinI
Conan Doyle with his wife Jean and Harry Houdini in Denver, Colorado, 9 May 1923 (October 2015)
The Adventure of the Creeping Man
A facsimile manuscript of The Creeping Man has been published, on the 90th anniversary of the…
You Don't Know Sherlock Holmes Yet
May 22nd was the birth date of our beloved author, on this date we have held an exhibition named…
Boscombe Valley Mystery
‘There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact’, states Sherlock Holmes. (March 2017)
Photograph of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle playing cricket at Windlesham Manor
A keen cricketer who played matches for the Marylebone Cricket Club, Conan Doyle also enjoyed more…
Adrian and Dennis Boxing
Doyle's sons followed in their father's sporting footsteps. Here they are boxing. (June 2017)
Sherlock Holmes Books in other languages
Sherlock Holmes' books were published all over the world and in many languages. These include:…
A Copy of The Study in Scarlet
The first Conan Doyle story to feature Sherlock Holmes published in 1882
Creating the Ogroshor quilt
Images of 'Moving Forward', a Bengali women's group creating the Ogroshor quilt of a copper beech,
Photograph of Arthur Conan Doyle on the whaling ship Hope
From left to right: Captain David Gray, Benjamin Leigh Smith, Arthur Conan Doyle, Captain John…
Photograph of Conan Doyle's cricket team
Conan Doyle and his cricket team pictured on a tour of Holland

- 1The Coming of the Fairies Map
- 2The Death of 'Touie'
- 3Photo of William Gillette
- 4Photo of Arthur Conan Doyle in civilian dress watching a display of rifle shooting
- 5Photograph of the Study for Sherlock
- 6Photo Arthur Conan Doyle with Jean and Harry HoudinI
- 7The Adventure of the Creeping Man
- 8You Don't Know Sherlock Holmes Yet
- 9Boscombe Valley Mystery
- 10Photograph of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle playing cricket at Windlesham Manor
- 11Adrian and Dennis Boxing
- 12Sherlock Holmes Books in other languages
- 13A Copy of The Study in Scarlet
- 14A Sporting Family
- 15Creating the Ogroshor quilt
- 16Photograph of Arthur Conan Doyle on the whaling ship Hope
- 17The Journey across the Tree Bridge
- 18Photograph of Conan Doyle's cricket team
