First published on January 29, 1845, in the New York Evening Mirror, The Raven is perhaps the most renowned poem in American letters. Alan Robinsons wood engravings brilliantly depict the grim and ominous presence of Poes ungainly fowl and give this edition a special place on the shelf of every Poe collector, mystery fan, and fine print aficionado. Robinsons fierce and haunting illustrations resonate with the power of Poes verse and are fresh evidence of the young engravers enormous talents. >i>The Raven appears in this volume accompanied by The Philosophy of Composition. Written in the masters ruminating voice, the essay explains Poes unusual method of crafting his poem.