The Lumley Autograph: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Lumley Autograph: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Lumley Autograph is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Cooper, Susan Fenimore (1813–1894).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Lumley Autograph" by Susan Fenimore Cooper is a satirical novella published in the mid-19th century. This work addresses the autograph collecting craze of the time, exploring themes of ambition, poverty, and the sometimes absurd nature of literary fame. The author, who was the daughter of the famous writer James Fenimore Cooper, conveys her commentary on the literary world through a narrative set against the backdrop of London during a bleak November. The story follows the journey of a letter written by a starving poet, which ultimately becomes an object of great desire among collectors. Beginning with the poet in distress, the letter captures his plea for help and hints at the irony that often accompanies the life of artists—great talent does not always equate to success or recognition, instead it can lead to dire situations. As the letter passes through various hands, including that of a nobleman and a trunk-maker, the narrative satirizes the superficiality of those who covet the poet's insignia without understanding the depth of his struggle. Ultimately, the letter’s fateful loss amid a collecting party underscores the transient nature of fame and the eccentric obsessions of collectors, leaving readers to reflect on the value of artistic works beyond mere signatures.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Lumley Autograph
- Author credits: Cooper, Susan Fenimore (1813–1894)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Autographs -- Collectors and collecting -- Fiction
- Satire
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Humour
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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