The monthly segment celebrating MW’s 10th anniversary year continues with sharing an article I wrote in 2018 called ‘Lost Treasure Worth Thousands: Tamerlane. Do You Have One?’
For those just joining this segment, each month near MW’s anniversary day (13th), I look back through the over a thousand posts on the MW Website and share one of my favorite articles and why. There is also a free drawing based on that article.
While this month’s flashback is about discovering a ‘Tamerlane’, it reminds us there are many lost treasures out there yet to be recognized and found. They are ‘lost’ in the sense they’ve been forgotten or their values are unrealized by those who hold them. I love this thought, and know it is true.
In the case of the Tamerlane, it was just an overlooked treasure. The Tamerlane is one of the first works published by Edgar Allan Poe. But because Poe only placed ‘By A Bostonian’ on the cover, it can go unnoticed, even today. Poe is only believed to have printed around 50 of them as well.
To date, only 11 Tamerlanes have resurfaced. Sure, some may be long gone. However, it is possible for one (or more) to be unearthed yet today. The latest was found in 1988 in a New Hampshire antique barn amongst assorted booklets. It was purchased for $15 dollars, and once realized what treasure had been found, later auctioned by Sotheby’s for $198,000.
Treasures of all sorts are out there! What will you find?
Read more about the TAMERLANE story, and answer the following question to be entered into a free drawing.
Question:
Who had written the article in the 1925 Saturday Evening Post in search of the lost copies of Tamerlane and Other Poems – By a Bostonian?
Submit your answer to treasure@mysteriouswritings.com by end of 4/23/22 EST to be entered into a free drawing from all other correct submissions for a signed copy of my newest children’s book (ages 3-6)- THE QUEST.
