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> The copy once held by the University of Virginia, Poe’s not-quite alma mater, was stolen in 1973 from the McGregor Room vault in Alderman Library. If it is ne

> The copy once held by the University of Virginia, Poe’s not-quite alma mater, was stolen in 1973 from the McGregor Room vault in Alderman Library. If it is never recovered, an unfortunate possibility, the number of known copies drops to eleven. At least one prominent Poe expert I know speculates it may have been destroyed to hide the evidence. Isn't it more likely that they were fans of Poe and took the book for themselves or they stole it for someone who was a fan of Poe. Doesn't seem likely anyone else would steal such a rare book only to destroy it.

Maken 2y ago
There is always the chance that whoever stole it knew it was "the most valuable book in the vault", and afterwards realised he lacked the necessary connections sell it.
- lisper 2y ago
  It's also possible they didn't have a clue and just took it on a lark, and only afterwards realized the magnitude of what they had taken.
- JKCalhoun 2y ago
  Yeah, my guess as well. From a few mysteries I have seen, a real thief would have stolen it only after having produced a number of forgeries that they could then sell through blackmarket back-channels when the news of the theft became known.
qingcharles 2y ago
It's possible they wanted it for themselves, but I know lots of addicts who steal shit because they know it is expensive, only to have trouble selling it later and then dumping it. OTOH I've been privy to some "don't tell anyone about what I'm about to show you" moments from a group in LA that liberated some treasures from an institution that wasn't properly preserving them. Some places will let you check out even very rare items on a short term if you pay a deposit (sometimes hundreds to low thousands, a tiny fraction of the item's worth) and then you just tell them it got stolen and lose your deposit.
vimax 2y ago
You steal it for yourself, then let slip you did at a party. Then destroy it to cover your tracks when you realize you fucked up.

Maken 2y ago

There is always the chance that whoever stole it knew it was "the most valuable book in the vault", and afterwards realised he lacked the necessary connections sell it.

lisper 2y ago
It's also possible they didn't have a clue and just took it on a lark, and only afterwards realized the magnitude of what they had taken.
JKCalhoun 2y ago
Yeah, my guess as well. From a few mysteries I have seen, a real thief would have stolen it only after having produced a number of forgeries that they could then sell through blackmarket back-channels when the news of the theft became known.

qingcharles 2y ago

It's possible they wanted it for themselves, but I know lots of addicts who steal shit because they know it is expensive, only to have trouble selling it later and then dumping it. OTOH I've been privy to some "don't tell anyone about what I'm about to show you" moments from a group in LA that liberated some treasures from an institution that wasn't properly preserving them. Some places will let you check out even very rare items on a short term if you pay a deposit (sometimes hundreds to low thousands, a tiny fraction of the item's worth) and then you just tell them it got stolen and lose your deposit.

vimax 2y ago

You steal it for yourself, then let slip you did at a party. Then destroy it to cover your tracks when you realize you fucked up.