October 31, 2018

Lizzy’s Latest – Homage to the Poe Toaster

Elizabeth H. Heels on the Battlefield, Maryland, Sandals, Shoe Bliss, Travel Adventures, United States American History, Baltimore, black dress, black heels, Cemeteries, Cemetery, cemetery enthusiast, cognac, Cooping, Edgar Allan Poe, Fashion, Fashion Blogger, Faux Toaster, halloween, high heels, history, lace dress, Marc Fisher, Marc Fisher Black Pumps, Maryland history, Master of the Macabre, Outfit Ideas, Poe, Poe Toaster, roses, Shoe Blogger, stilettos, The Raven, toast, Tombstone Tourist, Travel Blogger, Washington DC, Westminster Hall and Burying Ground, White House Black Market 20 Comments

Edgar Allan Poe remained true to his art.  He had so many opportunities to lead a life of practicality, but he always found ways to flee complacency.  For Poe’s passion was writing and he was determined to earn a living wage through his fictions.  He would be the first American writer to attempt this, but his efforts never translated to enduring financial success.

When “The Raven,” was published in February 1845, Poe secured his place in literary history.  However, this universal masterpiece only earned him $9!  After inflation, that equates to less than $300 today. 

Alcoholism only exacerbated his struggles and when he lost his beloved wife, Virginia, to consumption, Poe descended into depression and erratic behavior.  Virginia marked the third woman in his life to have died. The first two were his biological mother and his cherished foster mother. 

Poe never fully recovered from Virginia’s death and tragically died 2 years later under curious circumstances.  He was found on election day, October 3, 1849, at or near a polling place in Baltimore, MD wearing ill fitting clothes that were not his own.  Poe was in a state of delirium and utterly incoherent.  He was extremely disheveled as his empty eyes stared out into oblivion.

Poe was admitted to Washington College Hospital and his condition deteriorated.  On the evening before his death, Poe repeatedly yelled, “Reynolds, Reynolds!”  To this day, that name is a mystery.  On October 7, 1849, Poe declared, “Lord, help my poor soul” as death overcame him.  Edgar Allan Poe was 40 years old. 

Although Edgar Allan Poe’s life was tragically short, his genius mind left a legacy of work that transcends time.  Adoring fans from all over the world revere and celebrate the master of the macabre.  

One admirer, in particular, began an annual tradition of visiting Poe’s original gravesite as early as the 1930s.  In keeping with Poe’s theme of mystery, this ghostly figure dressed in black, wore a white scarf and wide brimmed hat to stay warm and obscure his face from recognition.  He also carried a silver-tipped cane.    

Each year on Poe’s birthday (January 19), this anonymous man would quietly enter the Westminster Hall and Burying Ground in Baltimore, MD carrying a bottle of Martell cognac, a glass, and 3 red roses (one for Poe, his wife, Virginia, and his mother-in-law, Maria Clemm).  He would make his way to Poe’s beautiful cenotaph and have a moment to reflect.   

This mysterious devotee would then pour himself a glass of cognac and raise a toast to Poe.  From his lips to God’s ears.  After, he would arrange the 3 roses in a distinct manner, leave the opened bottle of cognac, and quickly depart like an apparition in the night.

Over the decades, this unidentified guy gained a cult following that included the media.  He was dubbed the “Poe Toaster” and every January 19, a crowd would gather to catch a glimpse of this man in black.  Fans were mostly respectful of the Poe Toaster’s privacy, but Life Magazine published his likeness in 1990.

In some years, the Poe Toaster would leave notes such as:

“Edgar, I haven’t forgotten you.”

In the 1990s, the Poe Toaster indicated:

“The torch will be passed.” 

The Poe Toaster died in 1998 and his son (or sons) carried on the tradition, but with less passion and fervor.  The Poe Toaster’s final appearance occurred on Poe’s bicentennial in 2009. 

The original Poe Toaster was genuine in his devotion to Poe.  He never sought publicity nor was he ever identified.  It is an enduring mystery for the ages and one I suspect Poe would appreciate.  That is it, and nothing more.

This is Lizzy’s Latest homage to the Poe Toaster.  I realize it is not January 19, but that is because this dress and these heels would not fare well in mid-January weather.  😉  I felt the second best date would be Halloween considering Poe is the master of suspense and horror.    

I really enjoyed this photo shoot because I have been a fan of Poe’s since I read, “The Raven.”  In addition, I love the history of it all.  Edgar Allan Poe’s brief life was so fascinating.  His death is steeped in mystery!  Was it rabies?  Alcoholism?  Cooping?  Or the latest theory, a brain tumor?  I had such a difficult time putting this post together because I wanted to put everything in it.  In fact, it is almost 5:00AM and I’m still trying to finish this post.    

I’m just so grateful the weather was perfect that day and the cemetery was not too crowded.  I think my dad did great with these shots.  I hope you like them too.  🙂  I really felt like I was in a dream within a dream.

Happy Halloween!