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This elaborate 3-foot tall
bronze, or brass, wreath was presented by the
French Literary Society and the Alliance Francaise in 1921. The
inscription
read "A la memoire D'Edgar Allan Poe, eternellement cher dans les
coeurs
de ses amis Francis." ("To the memory of Edgar Allan Poe, eternally
dear
to the hearts of his French friends, this small tribute to his genius
is
dedicated.") Originally attached directly to the Poe Monument, the
patina
from the metal began to run down the white marble, producing an
unsightly
stain. The wreath was then moved to the brick wall behind the monument.
Some years ago, the plaque was stolen and has not been recovered. It was replaced with a 21-inch by 39-inch pexi-glass plaque, bearing the inscription and a shadowy outline of the original tribute. The new plaque adds: "This memorial, originally in brass, was brought from France by Count F. de Byron-Khun and Prince Edgard de Waldeck under the auspices of the French Literary Society and placed here in the presence of the French consul, Mr. L. Rabillon, June the 25th, 1921. The memorial was restored by the Westminster Preservation Trust and rededicated in the presence of the French consul, Mr. Raoul Calvignac, April 9, 1986." |
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