Booksellers, librarians, and collectors of rare books…

According to the message, "Jean Nepomucene Auguste Pichauld, Comte de Fortsas", had been a collector of unique books—books of which only one copy is known to exist.

When he died on September 1, 1839, he possessed fifty-two such books.

His heirs, uninterested in collecting books, had decided to auction the collection.

The auction is to be held on August 10, 1840.

On the appointed date, numerous collectors and intellectuals gathered in Binche, Belgium, hoping to bid on the books.

They learn, however, that the offices of the notary where the auction is to take place does not exist—nor does the street upon which the offices are supposedly located.

Notices that had been posted around Binche claim that therewill  be no auction after all, because the town's public library has acquired the books; however, those attempting to visit the library to view the collection discover that Binche possesses no public library.

Later it will be discovered that there had never been a Comte de Fortsas.

It will eventually be revealed that the hoax had been planned and carried out by antiquarian and retired military officer Renier Hubert Ghislain Chalon, who enjoys playing elaborate pranks on intellectuals.

Ironically, the original catalogue of fictitious unique books Chalon had sent to his victims will itself become a sought-after collectors' item.

It will be reprinted several times.