Who was William Gillette?

William Gillette (1853-1937) was the American actor and playwright who made Sherlock Holmes a stage sensation from 1899, and who built Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Connecticut.

What is the ornament made of, and how is it packaged?

A three-inch round of faceted crystal glass with a red ribbon. The line-drawn art is printed so the open areas let the crystal show through. It comes in a white or gold gift box, is made to order in the USA and ships free in the U.S.

Is this ornament an official East Haddam souvenir?

No. It is original art by Merlin Classics, an independent shop, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any town office, museum or organization.

1 4

East Haddam Connecticut Holiday Ornament – William Gillette Detective

$28.00 USD

Sale

Free U.S. Shipping

Size One size

Shape Circle + White Gift Packaging Circle + Gold Gift Packaging

See All Town & Animal Ornaments

William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes, deerstalker, cape and pipe, in fine line.

The deerstalker, the cape, the pipe: a Connecticut actor put that Sherlock Holmes on the stage in 1899, and the picture has stuck ever since.

For the mystery reader, the theatre family, the one with every Holmes story on the shelf. It is a three-inch round of faceted crystal glass on a red ribbon, printed so the open areas of the drawing let the light through, in your choice of a white or gold gift box. Hung in a window it works all winter, long after the tree comes down.

Quick Facts — Gillette as Sherlock Holmes Ornament

› Subject: The actor William Gillette in profile as Sherlock Holmes, in deerstalker and cape with pipe and magnifying glass

› Town: East Haddam, Connecticut

› Size: 3 in (76 mm) round, faceted edge, red ribbon

› Material: crystal glass, line-drawn art printed to let the crystal show through

› Packaging: white or gold gift box

› Made to order in the USA

› Ships free in the U.S.

William Gillette was born in Hartford in 1853. His play Sherlock Holmes opened in 1899, written with Arthur Conan Doyle's blessing, and he went on to play the detective about 1,300 times over more than thirty years.

The part paid for the stone castle he built above the Connecticut River at East Haddam. He died in 1937, still the Holmes against whom the others were measured.

Shop All Towns & Items

View full details

Wear Local. Feed Local. Stay Classic.

Product FAQs

How does your sizing work?

Every item is made to order, so please check the size chart on this page before you buy. Women's fitted tees run small; size up for a looser fit. Caps are one size with an adjustable strap.

How are items made and when will they arrive?

We make each item to order using premium blanks, embroidery and soft-hand prints. Production takes 2-5 business days (weekends and holidays excluded), then 4-10 days in transit via USPS, UPS or FedEx to U.S. addresses; most orders arrive within 6-15 business days. You'll get a tracking link the moment it ships. Any current shipping offer is shown in the bar at the top of every page and applies automatically at checkout, no code needed.

How do I send a gift?

Enter the recipient's address as the shipping address and your own as the billing address at checkout. Nothing ships with a price; the package includes a plain packing slip. Tracking goes to your email, not theirs. For birthdays and holidays, order two weeks ahead to be safe.

What's the return policy?

Made-to-order items can't be returned or exchanged for size or color, so please use the size chart and photos before ordering. If anything arrives defective, misprinted or damaged, send a photo and your order number within 30 days and we'll replace it or refund you.

How do I care for my item?

Apparel: wash cold, inside out, with like colors; no bleach; tumble dry low or hang dry. Embroidered pieces: iron inside out to protect the stitching. Caps: spot clean. Printed glasses and water bottles: hand wash only, no dishwasher, so the artwork lasts. Mugs and engraved glasses are dishwasher safe. Any item-specific care notes are in the description above.

Who makes this?

Merlin Classics is a small Connecticut brand making original retro designs for the towns people love. Every piece is printed, embroidered or engraved to order in the USA, and the business supports hunger relief in the communities our collections celebrate.