Edgar Allan Poe Autograph Letter Thrice Signed. One page, 4.5" x 8", New York, January 2, 1846. Writing to his cousin, Neilson Poe, regarding the transfer of a claim of land from his ailing wife, Virginia, to John B. Morris, in full: "Enclosed I take the liberty of sending you a deed, transferring to John B. Morris Mrs. [Virginia] Clemm's right of dower to a lot. May I ask of you the favor to hand it to Mr. M, on receipt of twenty two dollars, and to forward the amount, by mail, to my address in this city? Please direct simply to 'Edgar A. Poe_' not 'Editor of Broadway Journal'_ as I have disposed of the paper. We all unite in the kindest regards of yourself and family. [signed] Edgar A. Poe." At the lower edge he has signed a third time: "Direct to 'Edgar A. Poe, 85 Amity St, N.Y.'" Smoothed folds. Very light areas of waterstaining at the lower and upper edge.

In the world of Edgar Allan Poe, Neilson Poe (1809-1884) is an enigma. For his part, Neilson was, at least outwardly, supportive of his well-known cousin, an act which continued after Edgar's death in 1849. Edgar, however, was less kind. By all accounts, Edgar despised Neilson. In a letter to a Dr. Joseph E. Snodgrass, dated October 7, 1839, Edgar wrote, "I felt that N. Poe, would not insert the article editorially. In your private ear, I believe him to be the bitterest enemy I have in the world. He is more despicable in this, since he makes loud professions of friendship." In the same letter, Poe stated that he believed his cousin was "jealous of the little literary reputation I have, of late years, obtained."

Virginia Clemm, Edgar's wife and first cousin, became ill with tuberculosis sometime in late 1841-early 1842. By the time of the writing of this letter, her health had seriously declined, prompting the couple to move to Fordham, a small village outside of New York City, in May 1846. Virginia died one year later (January 30, 1847).