Poe Toaster Mystery Solved

[DmKrispin]

Solved: The mystery of the 'Poe toaster'

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070816.wpoe16/BNStory/Entertainment/

Aging historian claims to have created legend of the shadowy grave visitor


I especially like this part:

"I don't know what to say," said Jeff Jerome, curator of the nearby Poe House, who has nurtured for years the legend of the so-called Poe Toaster. Confronted with Mr. Porpora's assertion that the whole thing is a hoax, Mr. Jerome reacted like a man who's been punched in the stomach by his beloved grandfather. He's sad. He feels betrayed. But he's reluctant to punch back. "To say the toaster is a promotional hoax, well, all I can say is that's just not so."

Too bad the reporter didn't ask Mr. Jerome how he knows it's "just not so."

[Darth Rotor]

Solved: The mystery of the 'Poe toaster'

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070816.wpoe16/BNStory/Entertainment/

Aging historian claims to have created legend of the shadowy grave visitor


I especially like this part:

"I don't know what to say," said Jeff Jerome, curator of the nearby Poe House, who has nurtured for years the legend of the so-called Poe Toaster. Confronted with Mr. Porpora's assertion that the whole thing is a hoax, Mr. Jerome reacted like a man who's been punched in the stomach by his beloved grandfather. He's sad. He feels betrayed. But he's reluctant to punch back. "To say the toaster is a promotional hoax, well, all I can say is that's just not so."

Too bad the reporter didn't ask Mr. Jerome how he knows it's "just not so."
The end of the article suggests that the mystery is not solved.

Members of the E. A. Poe Society insist they recall members of the old congregation - all now dead - talking about the Poe toaster before Mr. Porpora says he made it up. Stories since the 1970s refer to older newspaper accounts about the visitor. Mr. Jerome found a 1950 newspaper clipping that mentions "an anonymous citizen who creeps in annually to place an empty bottle (of excellent label)" against the gravestone.

Mr. Porpora's account isn't consistent. He said in an interview with a reporter in 1967 that he invented the stranger, but the story to which he refers appeared in 1976. Shortly afterward, the vigils and the yearly chronicles of the stranger's visits began. During the same interview, Mr. Porpora said both that he made the story up and that one of his tour guides went through a pantomime of dressing up, sneaking into the cemetery and laying the tribute on the grave.

Mr. Porpora acknowledges that someone has since "become" the Poe toaster.

Mr. Jerome said the vigils will continue.
Enjoyed the link, however. :) Thanks.

DR

[Beerina]

Mr. Jerome said the vigils will continue.

"The Great Pumpkin will come this year. Just wait and see! You just wait and see! If he comes...

"Oh no! I said 'if'! I mean when he comes! Oh no! I'm doomed!"

[shemp]

Where can I get a Poe Toaster? Does it do a good job on Pop-Tarts?

[this charming man]

Someone let me know when they solve the mystery of the Toe Poster.

[Garrette]

Mr. Porpora's account isn't consistent. He said in an interview with a reporter in 1967 that he invented the stranger, but the story to which he refers appeared in 1976.I am confused.

This appears to say that Porpora discussed in 1967 something which did not happen until 1976.


Shortly afterward, the vigils and the yearly chronicles of the stranger's visits began. Shortly after 1967 or 1976?


During the same interview, Mr. Porpora said both that he made the story up and that one of his tour guides went through a pantomime of dressing up, sneaking into the cemetery and laying the tribute on the grave.These are not inconsistent at all. The story part was that it had been happening since 1949. The dress-ups were to keep the story going.

I've no idea if Porpora is telling the truth or not, but it does not seem implausible at all from this article.

Of course, if articles mentioned the Toaster prior to Porpora's arrival in 1952 appear it throws it all out of the water.

[Jeff Jerome]

DmKrispin: I did spent over 3 hours going back and forth between three writers explaining why this guys story was a tall tale. Two of the reporters didn't want to do the story since it didn't make any sense to them. One of them was so confused because his story kept changing from hour to hour. The PR person from the retirement home was even calling one of the reporters inserting his own version.

However, the minute one paper found out that AP was doing a story then they had to do a story and vice versa. It's called competition.

I cannot dictate to the media what they should print or not print. I have no control over the final product. I spent considerable time talking and answering their questions and my comments were reduced to several sentences.

To its credit, the Washington Post did a followup article where it attempted to seek the answers but that article went about as far as DC. I guess fantasy reads better than the truth.

I've been fielding calls and emails from around the world by people who are angry that this guy attempted to take credit for something that he has nothing to do with.

Whatever happened to Journalism 101? If the person can't prove what they are saying you don't print it.

Frankly, by reading the story very carefully it's obvious his claim is doubtful.

By the way, I actually found the news article from 1950 where the Rev. Bruce McDonald of the old Westminster Church talks about the mysterious visitor and the reference that it's been going on for a while (prior to 1950).

If anyone wants to call me at the Poe House I'll be happy to provide more details. I'll even call you back on the Poe House nickel.

The only hoax perpertrated was the one committed by the media in printing this silly claim.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

So I can't toast my Poe after all? I have to keep warming it in the microwave like I always have? Damn. :mad:

[hgc]

Where can I get a Poe Toaster? Does it do a good job on Pop-Tarts?


Nevermore. They're out of stock.

[Sasha]

Thanks for the reply, Jeff Jerome, and welcome to the forum.
I have a question: what happens to all those bottles of cognac?

[coalesce]

Where can I get a Poe Toaster? Does it do a good job on Pop-Tarts?

Wouldn't it make Poe-Tarts instead?

Michael

[Jeff Jerome]

Hello Sascha, I have all the bottles since 1977. I'm only missing several years. I always leave the roses but when I leave the cognac bottle it vanishes in no time. Vanish= someone takes it.

I have no idea what I'm going to do with them. I just hated to leave them on the grave only to have someone take off with it. I had several bottles on display at the Poe House but decided against it after thinking about the message it may or may not be sending. I do have 3 bottles stored away and will show them if someone should ask about them.

Maybe I'll sell the bottles on Ebay as a fundraiser for the Poe House--minus the cognac!

[this charming man]

Hello Sascha, I have all the bottles since 1977. I'm only missing several years. I always leave the roses but when I leave the cognac bottle it vanishes in no time. Vanish= someone takes it.

I have no idea what I'm going to do with them. I just hated to leave them on the grave only to have someone take off with it. I had several bottles on display at the Poe House but decided against it after thinking about the message it may or may not be sending. I do have 3 bottles stored away and will show them if someone should ask about them.

Maybe I'll sell the bottles on Ebay as a fundraiser for the Poe House--minus the cognac!


That would be really cool; especially if you could state the year and provide some sort of certificate of authenticity. Perhaps you could use some sort of Poe House special letterhead.

[Sasha]

Hello Sascha, I have all the bottles since 1977. I'm only missing several years. I always leave the roses but when I leave the cognac bottle it vanishes in no time. Vanish= someone takes it.

I have no idea what I'm going to do with them. I just hated to leave them on the grave only to have someone take off with it. I had several bottles on display at the Poe House but decided against it after thinking about the message it may or may not be sending. I do have 3 bottles stored away and will show them if someone should ask about them.

Maybe I'll sell the bottles on Ebay as a fundraiser for the Poe House--minus the cognac!

I think you could do better than Ebay - there are a lot of Poe memorabilia collectors around, maybe you could find a buyer or aucton house for a case. (I also dislike the idea of pouring out good liquor). ;)

[notsoshocked]

"The Poe Toaster:

Since 1949, on the night of the anniversary of Poe's birth, a mysterious stranger has entered this cemetery and left as tribute a partial bottle of cognac and three roses on Poe's grave. The identity of the stranger, referred to affectionately as the Poe Toaster, is unknown. The significance of cognac is uncertain as it does not feature in Poe's works as would, for example, amontillado. The presumption for the three roses is that it represents the three persons whose remains are beneath the monument: Poe, his mother-in-law (Maria Clemm) and his wife Virginia. Out of respect, no attempt is made to stop or hinder him. Several of the bottles of cognac from prior years are on display in the Baltimore Poe House and Museum."

I did a google (my best friend) and found this article. It does state the visitor began before 1950.