Books

Third edition, first printing; 8vo (20 x 14 cm); portrait frontispiece (Myerson Form 1 signed 'Schoff' in plate on irregularly shaped light-brown background), imprints of The Boston Stereotype Foundry and George C. Rand & Avery on copyright page, library stamp to contents page header, old library pocket to rear pastedown; publisher's dark reddish orange cloth (Myerson type D, BAL C), upper and lower panels blindstamped, spine blindstamped and lettered in gilt, cloth faded, joints and extremities rubbed, signatures a little loose but holding, internally browned with occasional spotting, a well-thumbed ex-library copy; iv, 5-456pp. The scarce first trade edition of Walt Whitman's seminal collection of poems on the philosophy of life, Leaves of Grass. Whitman continued to revise and add to the text until his death in 1892. This, the first printing of the third edition, marks the greatest single leap in the evolution of the text, with more than 100 poems added to the original work. It includes the first appearance of the 'Calamus' sequence, considered by many to be Whitman's clearest expression in print of his views on homoerotic love. 'The edition is Whitman's most famous after the first and contains some of his greatest poems, including (using final titles) "Starting from Paumanok" and "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking." The first of these is a more literal rendering of the spiritual autobiography in "Song of Myself" (paumanok is the American Indian term for "fish-shaped," referring to Long Island). The second was originally titled "A Child's Reminiscence" in the volume (it had yet another title in an 1859 magazine publication) because it is a meditation on lost innocence as it is realized at midlife ("A man, yet by these tears a little boy again"). The poet comes to realize that the freedom celebrated in his first edition and in "Song of Myself" is not altogether consistent with a way of coping with life's essential imperfection and that the duty of the poet is thus to sing of Love and Death, the common denominators of such imperfection. In a real sense, this poem about a man in crisis at midlife also suggests the crisis of poetry, that is, the power of its romantic illusions to overcome completely the fear of death' (ANB). Myerson A2.3.a1; BAL 21397; Wells pp.7-9.

"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.