221A

[lostwiginity.livejournal.com]

I just found this paragraph in a book of mine:

"According to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's works, Sherlock Holmes himself lived at 221A prior to moving to 221B."

First of all, I read all he books, so why have I never heard of this? Seconldy, isn't that where Mrs Hudson lives?

Comments

[joereaves.livejournal.com]

Since the whole reason Holmes and Watson roomed together, according to Study in Scarlet, was that Holmes couldn't afford the rooms in Baker Street on his own it seems unlikely. It's not mentioned in that book afaik but well, ACD and continuity aren't on speaking terms so I can't swear it's not different in another book maybe.

[ewanspotter.livejournal.com]

ACD and continuity aren't on speaking terms

A+

[tafizgurl.livejournal.com]

I have always had the impression that 221A was some sort of shop, and 221B was the residence beside/above it. At any rate, Holmes was living on Montague Street "...when I first came up to London..." (The Musgrave Ritual). There is no mention of a residence other than Montague Street, Baker Street, and Sussex (except a fleeting reference to being at university).

[queerlyobscure.livejournal.com]

I...

What?

This might be fanon, but the only reference I've seen to Holmes' past residence was Montague street (ETA: I was totally right!). I cannot see him already living next door and needing to room with someone. I don't think even ACD is capable of that kind editing fail.

OTOH, there is some pretty ridiculous (srs business) Holmsian theory out there. From very little evidence, usually (because authors do not make mistakes. Oh no, if it looks like a continuity mistake, a wizard did it it must be an obscure secret code that means Holmes was really an alien or something.)

[bugeyedmonster.livejournal.com]

Alien!Holmes has plot bunny possibilities. Especially if you like science fiction and watch Stargate and Doctor Who.

[lostwiginity.livejournal.com]

But 221A wouldn't be next door. It'd be downstairs. Like, A is the ground floor, B is the 1st floor. And I think Mrs. Hudson lives on the ground floor.

Which means that if Holmes lived there once, the only way I can imagine that is that he was broke and pathetic and adorable enough to convince Mrs Hudson to let him stay there until he finds someone he can share the upstairs rooms with.