A handwritten letter signed by Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849) is among a selection of fascinating lots offered in Heritage Auctions' Manuscripts sale in Beverly Hills.
It's expected to sell for around $20,000-30,000 on October 8-9.
 Edgar Allen Poe was the author of some of the best known works of horror in the English language |
Poe sent the letter to his cousin Neilson Poe in 1846. It discusses the sale of a plot of land owned by the writer's wife, Virginia. Virginia would die of TB the following year.
The letter reads: "Enclosed I take the liberty of sending you a deed, transferring to John B. Morris Mrs. [Virginia] Clemm's right of dower to a lot.
"May I ask of you the favor to hand it to Mr. M, on receipt of twenty two dollars, and to forward the amount, by mail, to my address in this city?
"Please direct simply to 'Edgar A. Poe_' not 'Editor of Broadway Journal'_ as I have disposed of the paper. We all unite in the kindest regards of yourself and family. [signed] Edgar A. Poe."
Memorabilia pertaining to Poe is in high demand due to his status as one of the most influential and distinctive voices in American literature.
In July last year, a manuscript for a poem titled The Conqueror Worm achieved $300,000 at Marlon Antique Auctions.
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