Summary
A rare daguerreotype of Edgar Allan Poe, valued between $30,000 and $50,000, becomes the center of a fascinating tale involving the FBI after it is mistakenly brought to an antiques appraisal event in Omaha in 2004. The photograph, purchased for just $96 by a woman named Sally Guest in a small Iowa antique shop, is later identified as stolen property belonging to the Players Club in New York City. The connection is made when Michael Dees, an expert on Poe's imagery, recognizes the unique features of the daguerreotype after it airs on television.
The FBI's involvement begins when Dees contacts them, leading to a swift resolution. The agency retrieves the daguerreotype from the appraiser, Wes Cowan, who had been approached by Guest to sell it. Following authentication, the Players Club decides to auction the piece, which ultimately sells for an astonishing $150,000, far exceeding initial estimates. The case highlights the intersection of art, history, and the complexities of ownership, leaving lingering questions about how the daguerreotype ended up in Iowa in the first place.
Show Notes
Photographs of Edgar Allan Poe are incredibly rare. The famed writer sat for portraits only a few times, resulting in eight unique images, known as daguerreotypes. When one appeared on the TV show in Omaha, NE it seemed too good to be true. Then the FBI called. It’s a tale never shared before on TV. And but for this podcast may be shared nevermore. Check out the purloined portrait: www.wgbh.org/detours
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