Pop Sherlock
About the Exhibit
Sherlock Holmes is the ultimate pop culture icon. His influence is seen in every kind of popular media – from print, to stage and screen. Along the way, he has met and mixed with many of the most famous characters, brands, and stars of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Holmes first appeared in in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 1887 novella A Study in Scarlet. Conan Doyle went on to write 59 more stories about Holmes, but the legend of the Great Detective continued to grow as many other writers took a turn at developing the character.
Pop Sherlock documents Holmes' role as an icon that has lasted generations and spanned the globe, showcasing a wide variety of his appearances in films, television, comic books and advertising.
The exhibit features an eclectic array of items from the library's Arthur Conan Doyle Collection including books, manuscripts, music, graphic arts, TV stills, movie scripts, ephemera and more.
Maneki-neko Sherlock Holmes
Japan, ca. 2011
Donated by Nobuo Yamamoto
Selection of Sherlock Holmes toys and collectibles
Guided Tours
Every Tuesday at 2 pm. Meet inside the TD Gallery. Drop in. No registration required.
To organize group tours or class visits, please contact: ndawkins@torontopubliclibrary.ca
Selection of comics featuring the Great Detective teamed up with iconic heroes and villains
A Study in Pink
Adaptation by Jay
© Titan Comics and Hartswood Films, 2016
Advertisement for Labatt 50
Produced by J. Walter Thompson Co.
© Labatt's Ontario Brewery, 1971
Related Programming
Write your own Mystery!
Thursday, August 24, 2017, 6 pm
Toronto Reference Library, Beeton Hall
Three Ages of Sherlock Film Series
Join us for a series of films that present Sherlock Holmes at various stages of life.
Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)
Thursday, September 14, 6 pm
Toronto Reference Library, Hinton Learning Theatre
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Thursday, September 21, 6 pm
Toronto Reference Library, Hinton Learning Theatre
Mr. Holmes (2015)
Thursday, September 28, 6 pm
Toronto Reference Library, Hinton Learning Theatre
An Afternoon with the Friends of the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection
Join us to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Friends of the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection, a volunteer group that works with Toronto Public Library to support the collection.
Saturday, October 21, 2 pm
Toronto Reference Library, Beeton Hall
Sherlock Holmes, D.T.
Sam Richards and Paul Pelham
London: C. Sheard, ca. 1901