Books

The so-called "Author's Edition," actually the third printing of the fifth edition (600 copies). Second issue, with integral title leaf. Signed by Whitman in ink on title page; additionally inscribed in Whitman's hand on front free endpaper: "Henry King / from the author." Original cream leather spine and corners over marbled boards; bright yellow coated endpapers; 384,[3] + 1pp ads. Evidence of old professional strengthening to front and rear joints (external); leather spine and corners have darkened to tan, as usual; a few leaves with brief marginal tears, not affecting text. A generally clean, Very Good copy in the original binding. BAL 21412. MYERSON A.2.5.c.(2). The Author's edition of Leaves of Grass was issued uniform with Two Rivulets in August, 1876, and the two titles were advertised for purchase separately or as a set. Many if not most copies were signed by Whitman on the title page, and it is not altogether uncommon to find copies with additional presentation inscriptions on the front endpaper. The current copy carries an obscure but pleasing association: it is inscribed to the Topeka, Kansas journalist Henry King, founder and editor of the Kansas Magazine which, though short-lived (1872-73) was one of the most ambitious western literary periodicals of its time. King's ambition was for his magazine to rival the Atlantic Monthly in both quality of content and popularity, but with an emphasis on the "New West;" to this end he solicited original contributions from leading midwestern writers, and especially writers from the Great Plains. One of the few eastern writers published by King was Whitman, whose poems "The Mystic Trumpeter" and "Virginia - The West" [Myerson E2517 & E2518] first appeared in its pages in February and March, respectively, of 1872; the magazine also published a pseudonymous prose piece, "Walt Whitman in Europe" [E2523], actually written by Whitman, in December of that year. The oddity of Whitman's inclusion in a periodical primarily focused on writers (and audiences) from the prairies has been commented on by at least one critic: ".Whitman's inclusion suggests that King (if no one else) saw in him a cultural figure, both well-known and different enough from the mainstream literary establishment in the East to help the editor achieve his own goals of promoting literature and negotiating a specific literary and cultural identity distinct from that of cultural centers in the East" (see Vaness Steinroetter, "Walt Whitman in the Early Kansas Press;" Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains, Summer 2016, pp 182ff). After the failure of his literary journal, King would go on to become editor of the prominent midwestern news daily, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, but that Whitman chose to inscribe the current work to him suggests that he may have kept at least one foot in the literary world.

"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.