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“A SCARCE AND ALMOST UNKNOWN ISSUE…WHITMAN HAD THESE MADE FOR A FEW FRIENDS”: 1882 AUTHOR’S EDITION OF LEAVES OF GRASS; SIGNED BY WALT WHITMAN
WHITMAN, WALT.
Leaves of Grass.
Camden, New Jersey: Author's Edition [Walt Whitman] 1882.
The Author’s edition of the most important and influential volume of poetry written in America; one of probably fewer than 100 copies produced with the inclusion of the “sexual odes” at Whitman’s insistence. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated with two full-page engraved portraits of Whitman at different ages. Boldly signed by Walt Whitman on the title page.
Price: $11,000.00 Item Number: 143291
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“Do anything, but let it produce joy": RARE SECOND EDITION OF WALT WHITMAN’S LEAVES OF GRASS; ONE OF ONE THOUSAND COPIES
WHITMAN, WALT.
Leaves of Grass.
Brooklyn, New York: Fowler and Wells 1856.
Rare second edition, one of a 1000 copies of the most important volume in American poetry, with an additional twenty poems not found in the first edition as well as a new section of correspondence and reviews entitled “Leaves-droppings” that begins with the famous letter from Emerson containing the salutation “I greet you at the beginning of a great career.” Small octavo, original green cloth. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Walt Whitman. Bookplate of Barrett Wendell to the inside panel. Barrett was an American academic and a trustee of the Boston Athenaeum, a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and he was also elected to the Harvard Board of Overseers. Bookplate of William Whitwell Greenough. Greenough was a Boston merchant and politician, trustee of the Boston Public Library, 1856-1888, President of the Board of Trustees, 1866-1888. In very good condition with some toning to the spine and overall light wear. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A nice example of this rarity with noted provenance.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 50052
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First edition of Walt Whitman's Two Rivulets: Including Democratic Vistas, Centennial Songs, and Passage to India; one of only 100 copies signed and dated by Walt Whitman and with an autograph note signed by him tipped in
WHITMAN, WALT.
Two Rivulets: Including Democratic Vistas, Centennial Songs, and Passage to India.
Camden, New Jersey: Author's Edition 1876.
Scarce first edition, first issue with the blank leaf between ‘As a Strong Bird’ and ‘Memoranda’ and single leaf of advertisements for Whitman’s books inserted between the back flyleaves. One of only 100 copies. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling to the panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentetlles, gilt top stain, marbled endpapers. With the frontispiece sepia photograph of Whitman signed and dated by him, “Walt Whitman 1881.” From the library of Richard Hoe Lawrence with an autograph note by Whitman tipped in. Addressed to Lawrence and dated March 11, 1881, the note reads, “Dear Sir yours of 10th enclosing #10 received – Walt Whitman.” Richard Hoe Lawrence served as president of the Grolier Club from 1906-1908. He was the great-nephew of Grolier Club co-founder and renowned bibliophile Robert Hoe III. With Lawrence’s bookplates to the pastedown. In near fine condition.
Price: $9,200.00 Item Number: 114654
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“AMERICA’S SECOND DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE”: RARE "Suppressed Boston Edition" OF WALT WHITMAN’S LEAVES OF GRASS, THE MOST IMPORTANT AND INFLUENTIAL VOLUME OF AMERICAN POETRY
WHITMAN, WALT.
Leaves of Grass.
Boston: James R. Osgood and Company 1881-82.
The “suppressed Boston edition” (seventh edition overall) of the most important volume in American poetry, one of 1,010 copies printed. Octavo, original publisher’s mustard cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine and front panel, tissue-guarded engraved portrait of the author by Hollyer after the daguerreotype by Gabriel Harrison opposite page 29. BAL 21418. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Dr. C H Shivers from the author.” The recipient, Dr. C.H. Shivers was a Haddonfield, New Jersey-based physician, member of the New Jersey Medical Society for Camden County and friend and dinner companion of Whitman’s (according to The Collected Writings of Walt Whitman, Vol. 4, Correspondence of Walt Whitman, 1989). The Suppressed Edition was the earliest edition to have Leaves of Grass in what is considered the book’s final form. The suppressed edition’s electroplates were used in all later editions, including the so-called “Death Bed Edition.” “On March 1, 1882, Oliver Stevens, district attorney for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, suggested to James R. Osgood & Co., that this edition should be withdrawn from publication because of its obscene nature. After some discussion between Whitman, the publishers and the attorney general about alterations and excisions to remedy the situation, Whitman decided in early April against making the necessary changes. James R. Osgood & Co., then decided to cease acting as publisher and on May 17, 1882, reached an agreement with Whitman whereby Whitman received $100, 225 copies, more or less, in sheets, and the plates and dies, in return for all claims for royalties and cancelling the contract. On May 19 Whitman wrote to the Boston binder, S.H. Sanborn, requesting him to send the 225 sets of sheets to James Arnold of Philadelphia, and to the Boston printers, Rand & Avery, requesting them to prepare 225 copies of a new title leaf. Whitman sent out the first copies of this this issue on June 11, 1882.” (BAL, Vol. 9, p. 43). In very good condition. Exceptionally rare signed by Whitman.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 139829