In 1827, an ambitious 18-year-old Edgar Allan Poe, then an unknown teen living in Boston, decided to publish his first collection of poems. The result was a slim pamphlet titled Tamerlane and Other Poems—a book so unassuming and unappreciated at the time that its existence barely registered. Yet today, this rare piece of history commands a near-mythical status, with only twelve known surviving copies.
The journey of Tamerlane from an obscure print run to one of the most celebrated artifacts of American writing is a tale of chance discoveries, breathtaking auction results, and a poignant glimpse into Poe’s earliest creative efforts.
Printed in Obscurity: The Origins of Tamerlane
In Boston, a teenage Edgar Allan Poe sought to launch his writing career. Lacking resources and connections, Poe turned to an equally youthful printer who had, until then, produced nothing more ambitious than local flyers and labels. Using his own modest savings, Poe commissioned the printing of a small collection of nine poems.
"Why they are now published concerns no one [but the author]," Poe writes in the introduction. Evidently, critics of the time agreed with Poe's evaluation of his unrefined early work.
The resulting pamphlet, Tamerlane and Other Poems, was released in an edition of around 50 copies. Its title page bore no mention of Poe’s name—he instead credited the work to “A Bostonian.” The collection opened with an apologetic note, in which Poe preemptively criticized the quality of the poems. The centerpiece was Tamerlane, a 403-line meditation on power and regret, heavily inspired by Byron and Shelley. If you'd like to explore this work for yourself, you can read Tamerlane and Other Poems online.
The work landed with a thud. Few copies were sold, and the pamphlet quickly faded into obscurity.
A Lost Manuscript Resurfaces After Decades
It wasn’t until decades later that the first copy of Tamerlane resurfaced, found by chance in 1859—ten years after Poe’s death. Over time, a mere twelve original copies have been confirmed, cementing the book’s reputation as one of the rarest works ever printed in America.
Facsimiles of Tamerlane began appearing in the 19th century. In 1884, the British Museum released a limited edition reprint, carefully crafted from one of the surviving originals. Today, these facsimiles, while far more accessible than the original, are often mistaken for the genuine article. A copy of the 1884 edition sold for just $900 in 2011, while another brought $5,715 at auction in 2024.
Auction Highlights of Tamerlane: The Poe Pamphlet That Sold for Over $600,000
For the original 1827 edition, however, the story is quite different. Surviving copies have shattered auction records, reflecting their near-mythic status among collectors.
- In 2009, Christie’s auctioned a copy for $662,500, a record-breaking sum for American printed works.
- In 2024, Sotheby’s described Tamerlane as “the most poignant rarity in American literature” before selling a copy for $420,000.
While these numbers might seem astronomical, they underscore the fascination with Poe’s earliest work and its fragile, improbable survival. The sheer rarity of Tamerlane is matched by its humility. Printed on modest wove paper, the original pamphlets were not designed to last. Few buyers would have guessed that their unassuming purchase would become one of the most sought-after artifacts in American history.
For those who wish to own a piece of this story, facsimile editions of Tamerlane remain a good alternative. Prices for the 1884 limited edition range from $1,000 to $5,700, making them a somewhat more accessible way to connect with Poe’s legacy.
Discover the Value of Your Rare Edgar Allan Poe Books—Whether You're Ready to Bid or Consign
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