It’s Bizarre To Think That Minnesota Is Home To The World’s Largest Sherlock Holmes Collection, But It’s True

The University of Minnesota Sherlock Holmes Collection contains more than 60,000 individual pieces related to Sherlock Holmes and the fictional detective's creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Strange as it may seem, this makes it the largest Sherlock Holmes-related collection in the world.

Sherlock Holmes is a beloved fictional character and cultural icon.

The books and stories featuring Sherlock Holmes are generally considered forebears of modern crime fiction.

Sherlock Holmes was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887.

Doyle was a Scottish physician who initially took up writing as a hobby.

Holmes famously lived at 221 B Baker St. in London.

Given Doyle's background and the English settings for the Sherlock Holmes stories, you'd reasonably expect the world's largest Holmes collection to reside in the United Kingdom.

You'd be wrong, though.

The world's largest collection is right here in Minneapolis, at the University of Minnesota's Elmer L. Andersen Library.

The library houses the collection in its underground archives on the West Bank of the Minneapolis campus.

The university amassed its Sherlock Holmes Collection by acquiring several personal collections, as well as through donations.

The collections include original Sherlock Holmes-inspired artwork.

Works range from concept art for the many Sherlock Holmes films to book illustrations and cover art.

Sherlock Holmes first appeared in the story, "A Study In Scarlet," published in the 1887 Beeton's Christmas Annual.

The University of Minnesota's collection boasts an original edition of the 1887 Beeton's.

Although public tours of the collection are not generally available, individual items are occasionally displayed at the Andersen Library or other sites, such as the Minnesota History Center. You may also request to view certain items through the collection's catalog system.

Have you had a chance to see any pieces from the University of Minnesota Sherlock Holmes Collections? If you're a book lover, be sure to check out this gorgeous library in nearby St. Paul.