Only four handwritten copies of this poem still exist and three of those copies are in museums. The only privately owned copy was offered for auction at Heritage Auction Galleries on October 12, 2006.
Although it didn't sell at auction, it was later sold to a private party for $280,000. Heritage Auction Galleries President Greg Rohan personally delivered the manuscript in time for the new owner's Christmas party, at which time he read the poem to party goers.
The manuscript is a complete copy of the poem, inscribed and signed by Moore, dated 1860. The original poem was written in 1822 and no longer exists.
At times Moore, upon request, would write out his entire poem and sign it, this is known as a "fair copy".
From Heritage Auction Galleries:
Written in 1822 in the back of a carriage while on a Christmas Eve errand, Clement Clarke Moore intended the poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," (better known today by its immortal first line, "Twas the Night Before Christmas...", to serve as an evening's entertainment for his family, nothing more. Before the next holiday season, the delightful verse was discovered by Miss Harriet Butler, a guest in the Moore's home, who sent it to the editor of the Troy Sentinel, where it was initially published. The response to the piece was overwhelming, and it was reprinted annually for many years. In 1837, Moore finally allowed his name to be attached to the piece, and a legend was born.
Auction Link: A Visit from St. Nicholas
