"A Scandal in Bohemia" Published in Strand Magazine
The first story in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes collection is published in Strand Magazine. After two novels starring Holmes and his partner Dr. Watson, this is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s first short story featuring the detective as well as his second publication in Strand. It also marks the first time Sidney Paget provides the illustrations for a Holmes story. Paget is hired by Strand Magazine to illustrate all of the Holmes stories in the collection. This first collaboration leads to a long-time partnership between Conan Doyle and Paget, with Paget going on to illustrate more than 350 images for one novel and 37 short stories. Paget and Conan Doyle’s partnership extended beyond just Holmes stories, with Paget providing hundreds of illustrations for Conan Doyle’s non-detectives works in the magazine as well.
Conan Doyle’s stories and Paget’s iconic images made the Sherlock Holmes stories among the most popular of the Victorian era and created the blueprint for the sleuthing detective figure in mystery fiction for centuries. The popularity of these stories often led to issues of Strand Magazine featuring Holmes stories selling out. This resulted in frequent publications of Doyle’s works — including Holmes stories, other short stories, poems, articles, and interviews — being published in Strand Magazine until the final issue of the magazine was released in 1930.
Primary Sources:
Sidney Paget, The Victorian Web