Books

With albumen photograph of Whitman as frontispiece, signed by the author on the photograph (his name and born May 31, 1918), and signed on the original yellow fly-leaf "Roden Noel, from the author." Two works offered together, uniformly bound by Bayntun in polished green calf, gilt-ruled covers, gilt spine with 2 spine labels. Both in exquisite condition, from the library of Louis E. Goodman with his bookplate in each volume. TWO WORKS SIGNED BY WHITMAN. The author's edition. Six hundred copies of Leaves of grass were printed, most of which were signed by Whitman on the title page. This is the first edition, first issue of Two rivulets; the first printing consisted of only one hundred copies, and can be distinguished by the blank leaf in between As a strong bird on pinions free and Memoranda during the war. "On 2 May 1875, Whitman announced: 'I shall bring out a volume this summer, partly as my own contribution to our National Centennial. It is to be called Two Rivulets -- (i.e. two flowing chains of prose and verse, emanating the real and ideal)[.] It will embody much that I had previously written & that you know, but about one-third, as I guess, that is fresh'" (Myerson, 196). The book contains Two Rivulets, Democratic Vistas, Centennial Songs-1876, As a Strong Bird on Pinions Free, Memoranda During the War and Passage to India. Roden Noel (1834-94) was a well-known English poet. The son of Noel, Lord Barham, afterwards Earl of Gainsborough, he was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained his M.A. in 1858. He then spent two years traveling in the East. In 1863, he married Alice de Bro, daughter of the director of the Ottoman Bank in Beirut. Their third child, Eric, who died aged five, is commemorated in Roden No�l's best-known book of verse, A Little Child's Monument (1881). AUTHORS' EDITION, FIRST ISSUE OF RIVULETS.

"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.