Nevermore: Poe Toaster Fails to Show for Third Consecutive Year
A long standing tradition appears to be dead. The Poe Toaster, a mysterious man who has left three roses and some cognac on Edgar Allan Poe’s grave since the 1940s, has failed to show up for the third consecutive year.
Poe House and Museum Curator Jeff Jerome said that he waited, along with other die hard fans, for the Poe Toaster to show up last night for the late poet’s birthday, but once again he was disappointed.
Jerome said:
“It’s over with. It will probably hit me later, but I’m too tired now to feel anything else. I’ve been part of a ritual that people around the world read about. I’ll miss it.”
NOLA.com reports that an anonymous man dressed all in black, except for a white scarf, has been visiting the grave on the writer’s birthday since the 1940s. The Poe Toaster failed to show up in 2010 and again last year. This year, a candlelit vigil was held as Poe fans hoped for the reappearance of the mysterious man.
But sadly, the man in black never showed and fans have declared that the Poe Toaster shall occur nevermore.
Edgar Allen Poe, who is best known for his poem ”The Raven,” and his short stories “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Pit and the Pendulum” and “The Cask of Amontillado,” died in 1849. The cause of Poe’s death is unknown but many attribute his demise to tuberculosis.
Here’s Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” from an episode of The Simpsons.
Are you a fan of Edgar Allen Poe? Are you disappointed that the tradition of the Poe Toaster will occur nevermore?
Tags : edgar allan poe, edgar allan poe toaster, poe, poe toaster, poe's grave
Posted: January 19, 2012
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Jan 19, 2012
Yes it is sad, someone else should take up the mantle.
Jan 19, 2012
Did it ever occur to anyone that The Poe Toaster is dead himself?
Jan 19, 2012
The man has been visiting the grave for 69 years, even if he was in his upper teens when he started it means he is/was upper 80's early 90's. He no longer needs to visit the grave, he's with Poe now. I hope someone is visiting his grave and paying their respects to him as he did Poe!
Jan 19, 2012
Yeah! That seems the most logical assumption. Think, PEOPLE! It is kind of sad, though,
Jan 19, 2012
its implied in the story.
Jan 19, 2012
Sad. Someone should pick up the mantle. Poe was found beaten, dead, in an ally way. Sad end for such an amazing talent.
Jan 19, 2012
sad indeed! I am sure they are toasting together now across the veil!
Jan 19, 2012
I always remembered Poe for his dark side, until a friend of mine shared some of his writings that were really beautiful. Check them out.
Jan 19, 2012
So sad that a long standing tradition has died. All good things must come to an end. Now he is toasting with Poe and not for Poe. May he journey into world of unknown knowing that he made made a difference in others lives.