Uwishunu.com

Any time of year is good for a little Edgar Allan Poe, but the Halloween season is especially good in Philly for all sorts of ghoulish things, and our friend Poe is right up there with the grooviest and spookiest.

In that spirit, the Rare Book Department of the Philadelphia Free Library has devoted all 13 of its display cases to featuring their unparalleled collection of rare and unique Poe manuscripts, 1st editions and memorabilia, opening October 1st and running through February 13th.

Utterly shocking because it is so utterly crazy cool is Charles Dickens’ stuffed pet raven, Grip. Ol’ Grip was the inspiration for Poe’s best known work, and the first time I came face to face with this most famous of ravens I actually burst out laughing. I was visiting the Rare Book Department and didn’t know he was there and just wasn’t expecting him. He is on display in his awesomely rustic glass and tree branch reliquary.

You can take a free tour of the Rare Book Department any Monday through Friday at 11 AM, and then linger afterwords to enjoy the Poe exhibit. The department takes up much of the third floor, and is full of worthy surprises.

Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(between 19th and 20th Streets on the Parkway)
www.freelibrary.org