"Tamerlane and Other Poems" brought in $662,500 at auction, smashing the previous record price for American literature. The book was American author Edgar Allan Poe's first book. According to an ABC News report, "The previous record is believed to be $250,000 for a copy of the same book sold nearly two decades ago."

"Tamerlane and Other Poems" (An image released by Christie's)

The Associated News notes in a report that the book is indeed a rare collectible as no more than 40 or 50 copies of “Tamerlane” were printed, and only 12 remain.


More book news from current day...Kelsey Grammer went all out to make sure he got to plug his book on NBC television by standing on his head.

The Frasier star showed off his headstand party-trick on the Jay Leno Show, where guests are challenged to Earn Your Plug. Grammer removed his jacket and told Leno: “I’m going to stand on my head. “It’s been a while, but what the hell!” He earned a rapturous round of applause from the studio audience and Leno, who allowed him to promote the new Christmas children’s book he narrates.