One of only two contemporary notices of the publication of "Tamerlane" (October 1827)

Poe, Edgar Allan

[TAMERLANE]. The North American Review (Volume XXV) containing a notice for "Tamerlane and Other Poems. By a Bostonian"

Boston: Frederick T. Gray, 1827. First Edition. Large 8vo. [6], 491, [1] + "Proposals for publishing by Subscription the Works of George Washington" by Jared Sparks. Waterstains throughout, some of which are ugly (SEE IMAGES) but the paper is strong. Contemporary American sheep, dry and worn, upper joint cracked and just barely holding (SEE IMAGES). A complete copy albeit with significant faults, and priced accordingly. Poor. Item #4078

THIS MUNDANE VOLUME IS OF SIGNAL IMPORTANCE IN AMERICAN LITERATURE AS IT CONTAINS ONE OF ONLY TWO STRICTLY CONTEMPORARY ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE PUBLICATION OF "TAMERLANE, BY A BOSTONIAN," BOTH OF WHICH WERE IGNORED. NO REVIEWS OF "TAMERLANE" WERE EVER WRITTEN, AND AS IS WELL KNOWN THE BOOK FELL INTO UTTER OBSCURITY. NONETHELESS, THESE WERE THE FIRST NOTICES OF EDGAR ALLAN POE AS A WRITER.

The announcement in the present publication (Oct. 1827) was preceded by two months in the "United States Reviewe and Literary Gazette" (Aug. 1827). "Tammerlane [...] made practically no impression upon the critical or popular reader. It was noticed by two magazines, but without critical comment" (Arthur Hobson Quinn, Edgar Allan Poe, 1941, pp. 118-128). See also Thomas & Jackson, The Poe Log: A Documentary Life of Edgar Allan Poe, 1809-1849, pp. 82-83.

Provenance: John Godfrey (early ink inscription inside front cover).

Price: $1,300.00