Cabinet of Curiosities, Domenico Remps, 1690s
The Gold-Bug is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe. The story is often compared with Poe’s “tales of ratiocination” as an early form of detective fiction. Poe became aware of the public’s interest in secret writing in 1840 and asked readers to challenge his skills as a code-breaker. Poe took advantage of the popularity of cryptography as he was writing The Gold-Bug, and the success of the story centers on one such cryptogram.
Poe originally sold The Gold-Bug to George Rex Graham for Graham’s Magazine for $52 but asked for it back when he heard about a writing contest sponsored by Philadelphia’s Dollar Newspaper. Incidentally, Poe did not return the money to Graham and instead offered to make it up to him with reviews he would write. Poe won the grand prize; in addition to winning $100, the story…
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I like Poe, and that illustration
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It is rather wonderful, isn’t it. I’ve found a similar painting on Wikimedia and am going to work on it to sell in my vintage store. Watch this space!
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Thanks for sharing, Sarah :-*
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Pleasure!
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Cool bit of history on Poes’ early writing!
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Yes indeed.
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