The book is dedicated to legendary art collector Franz Hauer. The son of a mailman from Lower Austria became one of the key figures of his time. Franz Hauer started out penniless, became an exemplary self-made man, and built an art collection with import ant groups of works by Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka. Today, its treasures are held by numerous important museums in Europe and the US. The legendary art collector Franz Hauer started out penniless, became an exemplary self-made man, and built an eminent art collection. After becoming wealthy by running the legendary Griechenbeisl restaurant in Vienna, he began acquiring art. Hauer owned important works by Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka. He passed away in 1914, and in the years after his death, almost the entire collection was sold.

Today, its treasures are held by numerous important museums and private collections in Europe and the US. The book aims to portray the fascinating personality of Franz Hauer as the first self-mande man among the Art Collec tors in a new light _ and reconstruct his legendary art collection.