The idea of collecting, the simple question what drives people to amassing things, often of no use, has always fascinated me but it was not until 1998 that I had the opportunity of committing some of my ideas to paper in an article for Elisabeth Bauschmid at the Süddeutsche Zeitung. I did not think that many people would be interested in a closer look at this strange and beautiful obsession until I told my agent Victoria Hobbs about it, who showed true flair and insight when she pounced on my idea and then helped me develop it. I was fortunate to find a kindred spirit and eagle-eyed editor in Stuart Proffitt. Sara Fisher also deserves my deepest thanks.
While I was working on my initial idea I was much encouraged by Geert Mak, whose unfailing eye for telling details helped me find my own way. During my research many people allowed me to distil my thoughts by patient listening, or helped me with suggestions that often opened up an entirely new line of inquiry. Hofrat Prof. Dr Maria Teschler-Nicola, Hofrat Dr Rudolf Diestelberger, Hofrat Dr Georg Kugler, Dr Monika Firla and Dr Rudolf Maurer were of invaluable help for the chapters dealing with Vienna, the Habsburg collections and the story of Angelo Soliman. Dr Arthur MacGregor, an unrivalled expert in the field, clarified much about collections in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, Prof. Robert Evans very kindly let me pick his brains about the enigmatic Rudolf II, while Thomas Klinger, Alex Shear, Wolf Stein, Father Thomas McCoog, SJ, David Cahn and Antje Gaiser, Hugh Scully and Anne Heseltine all helped me to gain insight into the mind of collectors. Prof. Jon Stallworthy proved himself a kind and generous friend as well as an excellent adviser in reading the manuscript and suggesting improvements. As ever, the encouragement of my parents, of my sister, Christina, and of Veronica, my wife, were a constant and wonderful support to me.
My final word of gratitude goes to an unknown man: the drunken sage in the Café Bräunerhof who made me think anew and who graciously provides me with an Epilogue. I raise my glass to him, and to everyone whose help has contributed to this book.
PB
Paris, 2001