Thomas James Wise: The Illustrious Book Forger

Thomas James Wise, an esteemed book collector, was revealed posthumously as one of the most prolific book forgers in history, having forged over a thousand individual books, including rare first editions. Wise's motivations went beyond financial gain, driven by a quest for social status and recognition in the rare book world. His forgeries began with Shelley's works, eventually expanding to other renowned authors like Ruskin and Swinburne. Wise's elaborate fabrications of book provenance and stories around their acquisition added layers of deception to his forgeries, making him a master of creating a counterfeit literary world.