Talk:Poe Toaster

Poe Hoaxer is more like it

The same guy has visited Poe's grave every year for over 50 years? Not bleeding likely. --Tysto 03:15, 13 January 2006 (UTC)

If you'd read the article, you'd have noticed that it states that most people agree that the mantle has been passed onto someone younger than the original toaster. Sleeper99999 21:14, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

• Oh thanks. That explains everything. Now I totally don't believe that this is just various members of the Poe Society hoaxing gullible reporters. --Tysto 02:49, 20 January 2006 (UTC)

As my TARDIS is currently in the shop for a tune-up, I am unable to visit 1949 and see if anyone actually visited Poe's grave then. As far as the Vast Poe-Loving Conspiracy, who knows. It seems to have been pretty well documented that someone has been visiting the grave for decades. Sleeper99999 09:48, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

• Looks like the new guy is really a football and republican loving jock and not a poe-esque romantic Theducks 02:12, 14 February 2006 (UTC)

Having found this from another webiste(Neil gaiman's blog) I am intrigued - having re-read the history on Labyrinth13 and other sites, I'm reminded of a book called The Ultimate Quest - anyone want to share ideas/discussion? Crescent 11:38, 22 January 2006 (UTC)

Has anyone checked the "An essay on the history of the Poe Toaster" external link at the bottom of the page lately? Using Firefox (if that matters), it redirected to a profanity-filled criticism on miserableprick.com. Feel free to delete this when someone more knowledgeable than me fixes the link. --206.174.156.129 04:51, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

Agree and removed, the link added nothing to the article as a external refrence/source/site. --Boothy443 | trácht ar 05:40, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

I would like to draw everyone's attention to this particular notice left by the illustrious Poe Toaster: "The sacred memory of Poe and his final resting place is no place for French cognac. With great reluctance but for respect for family tradition the cognac is placed. The memory of Poe shall live evermore!" Family tradition? Hm. If the original Poe Toaster incarnation has indeed fallen victim to the forces oft associated with old Edgar, then perhaps this young fellow is his son. I am so inclined as to agree with a former comment made against the romantic nature of this greenhorn, and emphatically doubt that Poe would care for such mundane happenings as sporting events. ~T

Added detail from CNN story on 2007 toast regarding son and note with link, but not sure how to properly call references section, maybe somebody can clean up. Link is in tag source. Am surprised at those who scoff at the possibility one person could do this for 58 years; no imagination or sense of literary power on the reader, but suit yourself. 69.145.82.2 03:05, 30 January 2007 (UTC)

Picture

A picture would be helpful. I did a simple Google search, but nothing turned up. It's hard to believe that for 50 years no one has taken a picture of this person. Zendik 00:55, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

http://www.comnet.ca/~forrest/cognac.html has what is apparently a picture of the toaster. Not sure about usage in relation to copyright laws, though. 68.238.135.173 01:25, 14 May 2006 (UTC)

The link doesn't work... and I think the EA Poe Society makes sure they don't get pictures of the Poe Toaster. Midnightdreary 18:01, 16 March 2007 (UTC)

This is apparently a picture of the Poe Toaster taken in 1990 http://www.prairieghosts.com/cognac.jpg. --unsigned, from IP address 81.76.34.239

Interesting image. It claims to be from a 1990 issue of "Life" magazine. Can anyone confirm? Here's the caption from the web site: The "Phantom Toaster" was captured on film in the July 1990 issue of LIFE Magazine. This mysterious figure comes to the burial ground every January. His identity remains a mystery. I wouldn't be opposed to putting it on here, even with some disclaiming terms like "allegedly." --Midnightdreary 03:38, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Poe's Anniversary

Seems tomorrow is the anniversary again. I can't make the trip up this year so, Saturday morning when all the news has gotten in, can someone post what went down? - The Alpha Couple

Which grave?

Does anyone know with certainty which of Poe's graves the Toaster visits? Is it the original marker or the large 1875 memorial? Once that's solved, we can get an image of that on here. Midnightdreary 18:02, 16 March 2007 (UTC)

I've never been to the actual cemetary, but have followed this story closely for years. In the "External links" section of this entry, there is a link to my website, The Tale of the Poe Toaster on Labyrinth13 where I have posted a photograph that was taken of this year's tribute left by the Toaster. (See image at the bottom of the page once you have followed that link). Perhaps someone who knows the difference between the two grave sites can have a look and say which one that it is? Labyrinth13 18:24, 16 March 2007 (UTC)

That was very helpful; I've already added the image. I've visited the grave several times - you should make the trip some day! Midnightdreary 18:45, 16 March 2007 (UTC)

My pleasure. Visiting Poe's grave is on my list of things to do prior to shuffling off this mortal coil, so I envy those who have made the trip. The photo looks nice on the entry, by the way. Thanks for posting it. Labyrinth13 18:57, 16 March 2007 (UTC)

Copyright Violation

It seems like the 2004 paragraph was just lifted from http://labyrinth13.com/Poe_Toaster.htm

It clearly says on the top of the page: "First publishing, September 2001. © All rights reserved. This article now appears as Chapter 5, The Tale of the Poe Toaster, in the book Labyrinth13. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express, written permission of the author (permission to link to this article on the world wide web is hereby granted)."

Did we get permission to use an excerpt?

Mattwolf7 20:39, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

Actually, that information was added by a user named Labyrinth13 - my guess it was the author hoping for free publicity. Even if was the author, though, copyright is held by publisher. Feel free to fix it. --Midnightdreary 22:51, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

Hoax?

Hmmm... http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2007-08-15-poe-fan_N.htm?csp=34 ~CS 15:12, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

That's a great article! The recent "revelation" has already been added and sourced in the article. I'm wondering if more information will be coming out soon. --Midnightdreary 15:32, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

Obviously, I need my eyes checked! I could have sworn it wasn't in the article yet. Sorry about being hurried and redundant. ~CS 02:57, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

Hoax or Not, He's no Laveau

The tradition of using red xxx's to mark one's grave, toasting of spirits, and the use of Cognac (a traditionally French alcohol) may originate from the Voodoo practice of honoring famous priestess Marie Laveau.

This could be someone who honestly believes in the practice attempting to do several things: hoax, media sensation, voodoo, or some other form of spirit calling to assist with someone's writing, or just honor the spirit with spirits! "Spirits" in voodoo practices generally crave blood, alcohol, tobacco, and any other vices that once tied them to being human.

Either way, I'm glad someone honors him. Kendra\^TALK! 03:05, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

2008

I was there personally, there was quite a crowd, but I checked with other people there, and they agree that it was closer to 130, not 150, and that number rapidly decreased the further we got away from midnight. Still quite an impressive number. In the future reporters may want to either actually attend the event, or perhaps talk to someone besides Mr. Jerome, who has a definite motivated interest in keeping this tradition alive.

Also, a gentleman who wandered away from the crowd was mugged early in the morning, so if you go in the future, make sure you stay near the crowd and the police, and dress warm. --68.49.122.194 (talk) 03:34, 20 January 2008 (UTC)