Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Poetry Manuscript Gets $662,500



Poetry Manuscript Gets $662,500

Are you ready for some good news bad news.

The good news, Edgar Allan Poe was recocognized at a Christie's auction in New York, when a rare 1827 edition of poetry sold for $662,500, a record for a 19th century book of poetry. Even more surprising, was two-pages of hand-scrawled verses from 1849 which netted $830,500, breaking the 19th century literary manuscript record. (It was the first eight stanzas of "For Annie," written for a passing love, Nancy L. Richmond.)

The bad news - he wasn't around to see it.

It's time to appreciate poets and poetry while we're living. :)

Tracy Repchuk
President and Founder of the Canadian Federation of Poets