The collector's whatnot

Name: The collector's whatnot
Author: Booth Tarkington

By Booth Tarkington

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About This Book

A satirical compendium framed as the proceedings of an academy devoted to antiques, the work assembles mock-scholarly essays, catalogs, and humorous anecdotes that lampoon collectors, dealers, and scholarly pedantry. Through bogus reports, exaggerated classification schemes, and imagined case studies of disputed objects, it offers practical-sounding advice, absurdist criteria for authenticity, and parodic memorials to zealous antiquarians. Interspersed are witty prefaces, fanciful footnotes, and illustrative sketches that highlight the vanity and pretension of obsession with old things, while also providing whimsical guidance on identifying, valuing, and displaying curios.

About the Author

Booth Tarkington

Booth Tarkington was an American novelist and playwright, celebrated for his keen observations of American life in the early 20th century. Born in 1869, he gained prominence with works that often explored themes of social class and the complexities of human relationships. Tarkington is perhaps best known for his novels "Alice Adams" and "Penrod," which showcase his ability to blend humor with poignant social commentary. His literary contributions earned him two Pulitzer Prizes for Fiction, solidifying his place in American literary heritage. Through his vivid characters and engaging narratives, Tarkington captured the essence of his time, making his works enduring classics.