Many people may not realize they have a lost treasure until it is brought to their attention. This was the case for Mrs. Dodd, who in 1925 was reading the Saturday Evening Post, and an article asked, “Have you a Tamerlane in your attic?”
She had no idea what a Tamerlane even was, but she thought she would read on, and then go check her attic. What she learned was Tamerlane (and other poems) was a lost treasure; a Holy Grail of literature. If there was one in her attic it would be worth $10,000 dollars to her! That was a lot of money in 1925.
Tamerlane and other poems, published in 1827, is the first published work by Edgar Allan Poe. It’s believed maybe around 50 were printed. But Poe’s name is not on the cover, only, ‘By A Bostonian’ is, so it goes without notice and thought to be nothing but an old collection of poems. The 1827 small paper bound booklet of about 40 pages is often tossed to the side, unknown it’s actually a very valuable lost treasure and a book collector’s dream.
At the time of the Saturday Evening Post article, only 4 were known to exist. It wasn’t even certain whether another copy could be found. Poe, who was unhappy with the edition, was thought to have destroyed them. But evidently not before some found their way into circulation. In fact, the book wasn’t even believed to have existed in 1829 when Poe republished the booklet using his name and claimed to have written an earlier edition. No one was known to have a copy at that time, and so it was thought Poe was just telling one his tales.
However, in 1876, a copy of Poe’s 1827 edition was discovered in the library of the British Museum. It was realized there indeed was an earlier edition of Poe’s work out there to find, and that it was printed by Calvin F.S. Thomas in Boston. But still, only 3 other copies of ‘Tamerlane and other Poems- By a Bostonian’– had surfaced before the Saturday Evening Post’s article in 1925.
The article in the Post was written by Vincent Starret. He had searched for years for the rare Poe copy by asking book dealers and other acquaintances. He had all but given up hope for finding his Grail, but then thought, why not write an article and ask more people to help me search? In a way, his plan was a success.
So let’s get back to Mrs. Dodd.
After reading Starret’s plea, she went and checked her attic. To her surprise, she had a copy. She had found a $10,000 treasure! It sat there all the time without her knowing what a treasure it was. She contacted Mr. Starrett, but he was away when her letter arrived. When she didn’t hear back from him after a few weeks, she contacted someone else to claim her find. Mr. Starret, in all his dreams to find the Grail for himself, had lost his chance to own a copy. This book now rests in the Berg Collection of the New York Public Library. A total of 11 would come to light through the years following.
But just like Mrs. Dodd’s story, treasures go forgotten, and reappear in the most unlikely places. The Tamerlane treasure story struck again.
This time in 1988. The finder remains anonymous, but while rifling through some booklets at an antique barn in New Hampshire, he spotted a copy of a 1827 Tamerlane. At the time, he had no idea what he held, but had a gut feeling it was something special. He bought the book for $15. Once home, he did some research and contacted Southeby’s, who would later auction it off for $198,000.
Recently, in 2009, a copy of Tamerlane sold at auction for $662,500. This auction broke the record for a U.S. work of literature. Tamerlane is considered one of the most valuable treasures to find.
Stories of finding treasures of unknown value happen more often than people think. Sure, some are small finds, but than others, are like those told above.
The next time browsing old pamphlets, or going through some old books, take your time. Might you find a Tamerlane? or some other Grail?
They are out there!
Best of luck with all that you seek! Always Treasure the Adventure!