Photo bywikipedia.org
***This story was told to me by one of the family members and is retold with permission ***
In a second-hand bookshop in a tiny town in the United States, a guy stumbled and found a rare book that could be worth a lot. The book, Tamerlane and Other Poems by Edgar Allan Poe is a first edition and is thought to be one of just 12 copies in existence.
The man, who wishes to remain unknown, purchased a box of 100 books for $15, which contained the rare first edition. He determined that the book was worth an estimated $450,000 after conducting some investigation.
Tamerlane and Other Poems was Edgar Allan Poe’s debut poetry anthology, published in 1827. Only 50 copies of the book were printed anonymously. Only 12 of those copies are thought to have survived, making it an extremely uncommon find.
Experts on the rare book market acknowledged that the man’s Discovery is an excellent first edition of Tamerlane and Other Poems. The book is now being kept safe until it can be properly appraised and auctioned off.
The man who discovered the book says he never expected to come across such a valuable item, but he has always loved books and frequently visits second-hand bookstores. He says he intends to use the proceeds from the book’s sale to help pay for his daughter’s college education.
This rare book’s discovery serves as a reminder that valuable items can still be found in unexpected places. While the internet has made it easier to locate rare and valuable items, there is something special about discovering a treasure in a dusty old bookstore.
The rare book market is an enthralling realm where books can command exorbitant prices due to their scarcity, condition, and historical relevance. In recent years, the market for rare books has expanded, with collectors and investors competing for the opportunity to acquire a piece of literary history.
While the finding of this rare book may have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the man who came upon it, it demonstrates the ongoing power and influence of Edgar Allan Poe’s work. Even over two centuries after his death, his contributions to the world of literature continue to attract readers and collectors alike.
The happy man who discovered the book says he will keep looking for gems in used bookstores, but he knows he may never find another jewel quite like this one.
