One of the most popular items in the Rare Book Department of The Free Library of Philadelphia that resonates with visitors the world over is not what you would expect. It is not a rare manuscript or a printed book, but the legendary pet raven of Charles Dickens that inspired his poem "The Raven." He adored his pet and called her Grip. After Grip's unexpected death, Dickens had her stuffed and she continued to keep Dickens company at home for years to come. Following Dickens' death, Grip was sold in an auction and was eventually bequeathed to the Free Library in 1971.