A rare first edition copy of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven and Other Poems (1845) has sold for $221,000.

The lot led a sale of rare books and manuscripts at Christie's New York on June 12.

Poe's The Raven was an immediate success on its release

Christie's explains: "'The Raven' was an immediate success, appealing to both the popular and critical taste of its day, and readers found themselves captivated by the sensational and haunting cry of 'Nevermore.'

"Within a month of its first appearance it was reprinted at least ten times…Poe's fame rose with that of 'The Raven', and his name became synonymous with the poem.

"He gave readings of it on numerous occasions, and even considered a trip to England to read the poem before Queen Victoria, and presenting her a sumptuously bound copy."

An illuminated manuscript copy of the Magna Carta dating to the early 14th century made $137,000.

The lot is particularly desirable as it displays elaborate foliate illustrations. It's one of a series of statute books that were produced for legal administrators at the time.

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