OR
A SYSTEM OF TESTACEOUS MALACOLOGY
This illustrated textbook on conchology (the study of mollusc shells) was originally printed under Poe’s name in 1839, though he never claimed he was the author. Being a condensed work based on a textbook by Thomas Wyatt, an English author and lecturer, it is now generally agreed Poe was the editor or compiler of the work.
Originally, Poe wrote just the preface and introduction, but after being paid $50, he lent his name to the book’s title page. This arrangement was made to avoid copyright problems with the original edition of Wyatt’s book, which contained multiple illustrations of shells and carried the cover price of $8, a price too high for many students of conchology. Wyatt intended a cheaper, concise edition to be used in schools with a price of $1.50. The publishers, however, did not want to produce a second edition that would compete with sales of the first.
Poe’s introductions and preface are provided in this collection and readers who would also like to view the rest of the text book, can access a copy of the first edition from this free weblink.