Poe for sale

What would you pay for an original work of Edgar Allan Poe? How about a first edition of his very first book?

Would you care if his name wasn’t even on it? Friday December 4th, CBC reports, a slightly tattered, stained, well-loved copy of Tamerlane and Other Poems will go on sale.

Christie’s Auction House in New York estimates that the rare 1827 text will go for more than half a million dollars. The copy is believed to be one of only twelve still in existence, out of an original print run of 50.

Also being auctioned today are lots including interesting editions of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Charlotte Bronte. Oh, to be a book-loving fly on the wall…