BALTIMORE — Even in a city defiantly proud of its quirks, the Poe Toaster stood out.
Every year for more than half a century, in the early-morning hours of Jan. 19, a mysterious figure would quietly leave three roses and a half-emptied bottle of cognac on the grave of Edgar Allan Poe — a birthday tribute to a towering literary figure.
But early Thursday morning, for the third year in a row, the Poe Toaster was a no-show, signaling an end to one of the city’s most enduring — and most mysterious — traditions.
Jeff Jerome, curator of the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, pronounced the Poe-toasting tradition over. After spending the night inside Westminster Hall awaiting the Toaster’s arrival, Jerome declared that the stranger’s poignant tribute would be nevermore.
“I more or less resigned myself that it was over with before tonight,” said Jerome, who has been curator of the Poe House — and de facto keeper of the Poe flame — since 1979. “What I’ll miss most is the excitement of waiting to see if he’s going to show up.”
As he had for the past 15 years or so, Jerome spent the night inside the former church on West Fayette Street, yards from Poe’s grave, with a group of friends. Outside, dozens of fans held their own vigil. But the Toaster, whose identity has remained a mystery since at least the 1940s, never made an appearance.
No one has ever known for certain the Toaster’s identity. Many regard Jerome as a likely candidate, but he has always insisted it isn’t him.
Others, however, did their best to make up for the Toaster’s absence. Three would-be successors showed up, but there will be no acknowledged successor to the toaster throne, Jerome said.
