The Raven. [In The American Review: A Whig Journal of Politics, Literature, Art and Science. No. II February, 1845.

POE, Edgar Allan.

$25,000.00

Item Number: 136274

New York: Wiley and Putnam, 1845.

First appearance in print of The Raven, one of the most famous and recognizable poems ever written, which Poe considered his finest poem, calling it “the greatest poem that was ever written.” Octavo, original wrappers. In keeping with the policy of The American Review which required that poems be published anonymously or with a pseudonym, the poem, which appears on page 143 is credited to ‘Quarles.’ In very good condition. Rare in the original wrappers.

The Raven and Other Poems “was published at one of the low ebbs of Poe’s fortunes, when his Broadway Journal was about to expire, and is thus characterized by his biographer Hervey Allen: The most important volume of poetry that had been issued up to that time in America… In this little volume the weary, wayworn wanderer had successfully reached his own native shore in the realm of imagination” (Grolier, 100 American 56). Poe considered “The Raven” to be his finest poem—indeed, he was quoted as saying it was the finest poem ever written. Dedicated to Elizabeth Barrett Barrett and first published in book form by Wiley & Putnam in November 1845 in an edition of roughly 750 copies, The Raven and Other Poems "made Poe's name known both in America and England, and brought him an immortality that by no other means could he have attained" (Robertson, 224).