About the Reading Text of “The Man That Was Used Up”

The text is an amalgam based upon the first printing in Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine of August, 1839. Additions indicated by color.

Poe’s note to the printer positions this tale in the second slot for Phantasy-Pieces, coming only after “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.”

Why?

 

 

Joseph Bonfanti pops up in The Evening Post (New York) in 1817 with a catchy title to his introductory advertisement.

The Evening Post (New York, New York) · 22 Nov 1817, Sat · Page 2

Within six years, Bonfanti has moved his enterprise to Broadway, and someone has penned a song in imitation of a popular ditty.

 

The Evening Post (New York, New York) · 29 Dec 1823, Mon · Page 1

Bonfanti continues his tradition of “imitation”:

The Evening Post (New York, New York) · 5 Jul 1825, Tue · Page 3

 

The Evening Post (New York, New York) · 24 Dec 1828, Wed · Page 3

A “retiring from business” closure:

 

The Evening Post (New York, New York) · 10 Feb 1832, Fri · Page 1

 

The Evening Post (New York, New York) · 14 Apr 1832, Sat · Page 2

 

Bonfanti draws the sale cum auction out for a year, then abruptly ends it:

The Evening Post (New York, New York) · 26 Apr 1832, Thu · Page 3

 

 

Citing from Huntington:

Item from a collection with assigned call number:

William Wilberforce letter to Elizabeth (Robinson) Montagu, 1789, July 3, MO 6763, Elizabeth Robinson Montagu Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.