collections
Hoarders of umbrellas, specimens, urine, and other treasures.
The Spy Who Wanted to Pants Lenin
A British spy once tried to topple the Bolshevik Revolution without firing a shot — his actual plan involved Lenin, Trotsky, and a tailoring problem.
The Man Who Knew Paris
He kept a shoebox labeled Mouse Material; the archivist who finally opened it found the contents of a vacuum cleaner.
Lord Berners and the Elephant Problem
What happens when a man Stravinsky called Britain's best composer places a classified ad selling elephants he doesn't own — and names the buyers?
The Man Who Collected the World by the Ton
What happens when a man's collection outgrows every method of counting except weight?
Sir Thomas Phillipps Wanted Every Book in the World
What happens when a man who sleeps on a sofa because his bedroom is full of manuscripts finally has to move houses?
Sei Shōnagon Had Opinions
What kind of person files pear blossoms under "most vulgar thing in the world" and then puts functional tweezers on the same list as the impossibility of lasting love?
The Man Who Couldn't Do Anything He Did
What kind of person collects boats but can't swim, collects cars but can't drive, and flies six continents while terrified of planes — and what cartoon character did he accidentally become?
The Man Who Buried His Car
What kind of person buries a 1927 Hudson in their backyard and denies owning a car?
The Man Who Died in a Meeting
He grafted a human tooth onto a rooster's head to see what would happen. It grew.
The Queen Who Took the Art
She quit the throne, converted to the religion that was illegal for her to hold, and left Sweden in men's clothing — but she didn't leave empty-handed.