Books

Washington D.C. (stampa: New York) [ma: London], s. n. (stampa: Electrotyped by Smith & McDougal) [ma: John Camden Hotten], 1872 [ma: 1873], Prima e unica edizione inglese, vivente l autore. Pi� che buon esemplare (copertina recuperata e applicata su tela, con dorso molto lacunoso e usura ai bordi; interno in ottime condizioni). Fogli di guardia in carta gialla, con ex libris �Major Bryan Palmes� al contropiatto anteriore. Si tratta di un edizione pirata esemplata in poche copie (circa un centinaio) sulla seconda emissione della quinta edizione, ovvero quella che nel 1872 accorpa ai Leaves Washington 1871 il Passage to India dello stesso anno (legando insieme i fascicoli dell una e dell altra e mantenendo frontespizio e paginazione autonoma). L edizione pirata � riconoscibile per la tela di copertina, in tutto diversa da quella originale verde, per l aggiunta in fine del poema After All, Not To Create Only (anch esso con propria numerazione) e per una serie di specifici rilievi filologico-testuali. -- La raccolta di poesie Leaves of Grass , apparsa la prima volta nel 1855 con solo dodici poesie, conta almeno sette edizioni importanti (notevolmente aumentate e modificate) pubblicate per cura dell autore: la quinta edizione rappresenta uno stato abbastanza vicino alla forma definitiva, se non altro per i titoli inclusi. Myerson, Whitman Bibliography, A2.6 bind. A in 8�, copertina originale in tela color mattone con riquadri e decorazioni in chiave greca sui piatti, titolo e impressione floreale in oro al dorso, pp. 384 (le prime sei pp. num. [I]-VI), 120 (le prime quattro pp. num. [I]-IV), 14. Prima e unica edizione inglese, vivente l autore. Pi� che buon esemplare (copertina recuperata e applicata su tela, con dorso molto lacunoso e usura ai bordi; interno in ottime condizioni). Fogli di guardia in carta gialla, con ex libris �Major Bryan Palmes� al contropiatto anteriore. copertina originale in tela color mattone con riquadri e decorazioni in chiave greca sui piatti, titolo e impressione floreale in oro al dorso,

"Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman, first self-published in 1855 and revised and expanded in subsequent editions throughout Whitman's life, is a groundbreaking collection of poems that revolutionized American poetry and literary form. At its core, "Leaves of Grass" is a celebration of life, individuality, democracy, and the vastness of the American experience. Comprised of numerous poems, including the iconic "Song of Myself," this collection embodies Whitman's belief in the essential unity of all things and his celebration of the human body and spirit. Whitman's poetry rejects traditional rhyme and meter, opting instead for free verse and a more colloquial, conversational style. His lines often have a musical, rhythmic quality that reflects the ebbs and flows of life itself. The collection is a reflection of Whitman's exuberance for life, exploring themes of nature, love, spirituality, and the human condition. "Song of Myself," perhaps the most famous poem within "Leaves of Grass," is an expansive and inclusive work that encapsulates Whitman's philosophy of the interconnectedness of all people and the celebration of individual identity. It embraces the diversity of America, celebrating people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and experiences. Throughout the collection, Whitman embraces the body and soul, viewing them as interconnected and essential parts of humanity. He celebrates the physical world, the senses, and the human form without reservation, emphasizing the beauty and significance of each individual. Moreover, "Leaves of Grass" evolves over time, with Whitman adding new poems and revising existing ones in later editions. The work serves as a testament to Whitman's evolving perspectives on life, society, and the human experience. Whitman's bold and unapologetic portrayal of the self and the world marked a departure from conventional poetry of his time. His work was controversial for its explicitness and its celebration of the human body and sexuality. However, it also heralded a new era in American literature, influencing generations of poets and writers and leaving a lasting impact on the trajectory of poetic expression and American identity. Through "Leaves of Grass," Whitman aimed to capture the essence of America and the spirit of its people in all their complexity and diversity.