Books

**ASSOCIATION COPY SIGNED BY PULITZER PRIZE WINNING WHITMAN BIOGRAPHER EMORY HOLLOWAY, RARE 1940 FIRST MODERN LIBRARY EDITION WITH DUST JACKET** Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. FIRST MODERN LIBRARY EDITION 1940. This is a Modern Library Giant edition, number G50. The book is bound in blue cloth type G4 binding with plain end papers. PRIVATE COPY OF EMORY HOLLOWAY, who received the Pulitzer Prize in 1927 for his biography on Walt Whitman, AND GIVEN TO HIS DAUGHTER RITA. I also have listed on ABE Emory Holloway's only children's book Janice in Tomorrow-Land which was written for and dedicated to his daughter Rita. The reason for writing the Janice book is because he realized that his daughter Rita had never read any of his numerous biographical works on Walt Whitman. So the fact that this copy of Leaves of Grass is signed and dedicated to his daughter Rita had special meaning for both. Book is NEAR FINE binding solid and tight with minimal shelf wear, bright blue top stain perfect, gilt bright and nice, no writing or marks, contents are clean and bright. SIGNED BY EMORY HOLLOWAY AND DEDICATED TO HIS DAUGHTER RITA. BEAUTIFUL WOODCUTS BY VALENTI ANGELO. GORGEOUS!! The dust jacket is GOOD+ with chipping and some loss throughout. Otherwise it is relatively bright and clean with $1.25 price present on inside flap. 271 titles listed on the inside indicating a 1940 FIRST MODERN LIBRARY EDITION. Now protected in an archival-quality dust jacket protector. ONE-OF-A-KIND ASSOCIATION COPY FIRST EDITION WITH A DUST JACKET! **I WILL BE LISTIING OVER 400 COLLECTIBLE, RARE, OR SIGNED MODERN LIBRARY EDITIONS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS FROM 30 YEARS OF ACTIVE COLLECTING AROUND THE WORLD - PLEASE VISIT MY SELLERS PAGE TO VIEW THEM ALL**.

"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.