Rare copy of Poe's first book "Tamerlane and Other Poems" sells for $662,500 in NYC
Categories: Literature, Writing, Economics, National, news, Art
FILE - This is an undated file photo of Edgar Allan Poe. A rare edition of Edgar Allan Poe's first book is expected to set a record sale price for American literature when it hits the auction block this week.
(AP Photo/File)NEW YORK – A rare copy of Edgar Allan Poe's first book has sold for $662,500, smashing the previous record price for American literature.
The copy of "Tamerlane and Other Poems" had been estimated to sell Friday for between $500,000 and $700,000 at Christie's auction house in New York City.
The previous record is believed to be $250,000 for a copy of the same book sold nearly two decades ago.
The 40-page collection of poems was published in 1827. Poe wrote the book shortly after moving to Boston to launch his literary career.
No more than 40 or 50 copies of "Tamerlane" were printed, and only 12 remain.
The record-breaking copy is stained and frayed and has V-shaped notches on the outer and lower margins.
Article: HERE
Jeff Jerome, curator of the Poe House and Museum in Baltimore, poses next to items left at the original grave site of author Edgar Allan Poe by the 'Poe Toaster,' Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008. Poe will be feted at birthday parties in five cities in January celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth.
(AP Photo/Rob Carr)
The upstairs room of the Edgar Allan Poe house is shown Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 in Baltimore. The author will be feted at birthday parties in five cities in January celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth.
(AP Photo/Rob Carr)
A room in the Edgar Allan Poe house is shown Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 in Baltimore. The author will be feted at birthday parties in five cities in January celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth.
(AP Photo/Rob Carr)
The outside of the Edgar Allan Poe house is shown Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 in Baltimore. The author will be feted at birthday parties in five cities in January celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth.
(AP Photo/Rob Carr)
The headstone of the original Edgar Allan Poe grave site is shown Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 in Baltimore. The author will be feted at birthday parties in five cities in January celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth.
(AP Photo/Rob Carr)
You are cordially invited to a free exhibition
at the Boston Public Library
The Raven in the Frog Pond:
Edgar Allan Poe & the City of Boston
December 17, 2009 - March 31, 2010
For details about Opening Events and other information, please see http://www.bc.edu/offices/pubaf/news/Poe_Exhibit2009_1202.html
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I am related to this man through his brother. Thank you for posting pictures I have never seen. I appreciate it.
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