This rare, original copy of American writer Edgar Allan Poe's first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems, will be sold in New York on Friday. (Finbarr O'Reilly/Reuters)Antiquity experts are eagerly anticipating Friday's auction of an original copy of Edgar Allan Poe's first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems — a much-sought after text whose sale could set a new record for American literature.

Francis Wahlgren, head of books and manuscripts at Christie's auction house in New York, dubbed the rare title "the black tulip of U.S. literature."

The tome is special for several reasons, including the fact that the print run was just 40 to 50 copies. Only 12 are believed to still exist.

The book doesn't even bear the mysterious and macabre writer's name on the cover. Instead, it is simply attributed to "a Bostonian."

Despite being a somewhat battered copy, featuring stains, fraying and small notches cut out of some sections, the work is estimated to fetch between $500,000 US to $700,000 US at Friday's sale. The Poe work will be part of a larger auction that includes the 300-book collection of former TV executive William Self. Other lots feature rare books by Mark Twain, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.

"These books have given me so much pleasure. Now, it's time for them to give someone else pleasure," said Self, who decided to sell the trove after the death of his wife and fellow collector, Peggy.

Published when Poe was 18, Tamerlane and Other Poems is a collection of 10 poems. The title work is an epic 403-line poem about an Asian ruler who spurned love to pursue military victories. On his deathbed, he mourns losing his one true love.

Though most associated with Baltimore, where he died, Poe was born in Boston, where he also spent some time late in his life, according to scholars. His biological mother, who died when he was young, was also from Boston.

With files from The Associated Press