Books

Illustrated by Valenti Angelo. Printed by the Grabhorn Press (of San Francisco) in an edition of 400 copies, this number 133. A Very Good+ copy with some wear to the Oak boards at the corners, and some superficial rubbing to the morocco spine at the extremities. Internal contents generally clean and in excellent condition with just the odd page with a bit of foxing. With an original, signed letter from Bennett A. Cerf of Random House describing the binding for the original owner (and directing his inquiry about the paperstock to Ed Grabhorn). Perhaps the most important collection of poetry in American Literature. Although Leaves of Grass was first greeted with derision and even shock Boston s district attorney attempted to have some of the poems suppressed as obscene and Whitman was fired from his job it eventually claimed its rightful place in the American canon. Whitman wrote the collection after he was inspired by Emerson and the Transcendentalist movement, and the poems in Leaves of Grass are noted for their sensualist focus on nature and the human form. They include some of Whitman s most famous works, including Song of Myself and I Sing of the Body Electric. Despite the collection s fame and success, Whitman re-wrote and edited the collection many times, with the final edition containing over 400 poems. Whitman himself helped pay for the printing of the first edition, the run of which contained only 800 copies, most of which were unbound. Very Good +.

"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.