Al Aaraaf: Reproduced from the Edition of 1829 with a Bibliographical Note By Thomas Ollive Mabbott by Poe,edgar Allan - 1933

New York: Columbia University Press, 1932. First edition of this facsimile. Octavo. [8], 71, [1] pp. Publisher's brown cloth with gilt spine lettering. An excellent copy.""Al Aaraaf" is the longest poem Poe wrote and was inspired by Tycho Brahe's discovery of a supernova in 1572 which was visible for about seventeen months. Poe identified the supernova with Al Aaraaf, a star that was the place between paradise and hell. Al Aaraaf (Arabic , alternatively transliterated al-A raf) was a place where people who have been neither markedly good nor markedly bad had to stay until forgiven by God and let into Paradise, as discussed in Sura 7 of the Qur'an. As Poe explained to a potential publisher: Its title is "Al Aaraaf" from the Al Aaraaf of the Arabians, a medium between Heaven and Hell where men suffer no punishment, but yet do not attain that tranquil & even happiness which they suppose to be the characteristics of heavenly enjoyment.In the opening section of the poem, God commands… Read More

Columbia University Press. Used - Good. Good condition. No Dust Jacket Hardcover edition. Facsimile edition. From the collection of Charles Edward Roberts, owner and founder of Wonder Book & Video. With his signature on his personalized bookplate on front endpage. (edgar allan poe, american literature, poetry)

New York: Published for The Facsimile Text Society by Columbia University Press, 1933. Reproduced in facsimile from the edition of 1829. With an Introduction by Thomas Ollive Mabbott. 1 vols. 12mo. Blue cloth, paper label on spine. Fine. Reproduced in facsimile from the edition of 1829. With an Introduction by Thomas Ollive Mabbott. 1 vols. 12mo.