The LRB Podcast
Faked Editions
Jun 26, 2024
Gill Partington discusses Thomas James Wise, a master forger of books, his success and downfall. They explore the value of literary forgeries, hoaxes, and reproductions as art. Insights on Wise's motivations, methods, and the blurred line between authenticity and deceit in literature. Discusses the impact of historical literary hoaxes and the controversial nature of reproducing literary works word for word.
41:55
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Quick takeaways
- Thomas James Wise's motivations for book forgery went beyond financial gain, driven by a quest for social status and recognition in the rare book world.
- Young book dealers in the 1930s exposed Wise's forgeries by meticulously analyzing physical attributes, leading to his posthumous exposure as a skilled book vandal and forger.
Deep dives
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.
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