Ghost of a flea

Invisible Library

Someone very dear to the Flea once commented that there was no such thing as too many books, only not enough bookshelves. Fortunately, many books are in need of imaginary shelving.

In 1840, a curious sales catalog titled "Catalogue d'une tres-riche mais peu nombreuse collection de livres provenant de la bibliotheque de fen M. le Comte J. N. A. de Fortsas." (Catalogue of a very rich but very small collection of books coming from the library of Monsieur Count J. N. A. Fortsas) appeared in Europe. The catalog was indeed small, listing only 52 books, and yet it caused great excitement in the book collecting world. The Count de Fortsas' collection was, literally, unique: the Count collected books of which only one copy existed. And now all of these singular volumes were for sale.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at October 31, 2003 11:48 AM