The Unpublishable Memoirs

"The Unpublishable Memoirs" by A. S. W. Rosenbach is a fiction work written in the early 20th century. It revolves around the character Robert Hooker, a passionate yet underfunded book collector who finds himself embroiled in humorous and cunning escapades in pursuit of rare and valuable literary treasures. The narrative dives into the world of bibliophiles, exploring themes of desire, deception, and the lengths to which one might go to acquire what one covets. The opening portion introduces Robert Hooker in a moment of despair as he misses out on purchasing a highly sought-after book, the "Unpublishable Memoirs" by Beau Brummel, after a wealthy competitor outbids him. This disappointment ignites a spark within Hooker, leading him to contemplate a more audacious plan: to outwit the affluent collectors around him. He fantasizes about leveraging his intellectual prowess to acquire valuable items, not just books but art and rarities, in increasingly daring ways. The narrative already hints at his mischievous character as he prepares to embark on a series of adventures designed to turn the tables on the wealthy, setting the stage for a humorous exploration of greed and ambition. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Abraham Simon Wolf Rosenbach was an American collector, scholar, and dealer in rare books and manuscripts. In London, where he frequently attended the auctions at Sotheby's, he was known as "The Terror of the Auction Room." In Paris, he was called "Le Napoléon des Livres". Many others referred to him as "Dr. R.", a "Robber Baron" and "the Greatest Bookdealer in the World".