Poe Toaster
The Poe Toaster is the nickname given to a mysterious figure who pays an annual tribute to American author Edgar Allan Poe.
The unexplained tradition was established in 1949 and has occurred on the author's birthday (January 19) of every year since. In the early hours of the morning on that date, a black-clad figure with a silver-tipped cane enters the Westminster Hall and Burying Ground in Baltimore, Maryland. The individual proceeds to Poe's grave, where he or she raises a cognac toast. Before departing, the Toaster leaves three red roses and a half-bottle of cognac on the grave. The roses are believed to represent Poe, his wife Virginia and his mother-in-law Maria Clemm, all three of whom are interred at the site.
The Toaster wears a black coat and hat, and obscures his or her face with a scarf or hood. A group of reporters and Poe enthusiasts are usually on hand to observe the event, and thus far none have attempted to interfere with the Toaster's entry, tribute or departure.
The identity of the "Toaster" has never been revealed. The gender of the Toaster is generally agreed to be male, although there is no solid evidence as to whether this is accurate.
Notes
On several occasions, the Toaster has left notes in addition to the usual tribute. Some of these are simple expressions of devotion, such as one that read "Edgar, I haven't forgotten you."
In 1993, a cryptic note was left at the grave saying, "The torch will be passed." This led to the theory that the original toaster was ill or dying. Another note in 1999 stated that the original Toaster had passed away; subsequent witnesses to the tradition have noted the current Toaster to be an apparently younger individual.
The solemn occasion occurred in 2001 days before the Baltimore Ravens were to play against the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. The note read "The New York Giants. Darkness and decay and the big blue hold dominion over all. The Baltimore Ravens. A thousand injuries they will suffer. Edgar Allan Poe evermore." The news of the note's content caused a minor furor for several reasons. Never before had the Toaster commented on current events such as sports, and no one could explain why the Toaster would not favor the Ravens, who were named for Poe's most famous poem.
In 2004, the Poe Toaster appeared to take a dig at the French[1]; the note discovered among the roses stated "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 place. The memory of Poe shall live evermore!" Many interpreted this as a condemnation of France's opposition to the war in Iraq.