'Night Before Christmas' Author's Townhouse on Sale in Chelsea

CHELSEA, NY — If you have $9.8 million to spend, you too can find out if any creatures are stirring in Clement Clark Moore's former home — whether on Christmas Eve or any night of the year.

The home was built for Moore, the author of possibly the most famous Christmas poem of all-time, in 1835. The poem, officially titled "A Visit from St. Nicholas," but more often referred to as "The Night Before Christmas," was published anonymously before Moore moved into the home. But it wasn't until 1837, when he was living at the 444 W. 22nd St. home, that he was revealed as the author.

There's some debate about whether it was actually Moore who wrote the famous poem (or Henry Livingston), but when you tell people you own his home, it'll be definitive he was the author.

There's no question the West 22nd Street home is Moore's at least. The author's parents deeded him the land for just $1 at the time of their death in 1813, according to the Chelsea Historic District Designation Report.

Douglas Elliman is now listing the property (updated in 1922) for $9,875,000. For that price, you'll get 5,000 square feet, seven bedrooms and four bathrooms — and, presumably, no mice.

Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman