Books

2/32, signed by the publisher, Jeanette L. Gilder and the notary. Quarto. 294, 323, 318pp. with Vol. IV, 282pp., Vol. V, 300pp., Vol. VII, 309pp. Publisher's Deluxe original light brown Morocco binding with decorative gilt, green and pink floral design, gilt ruling on covers and spine; raised bands. Inside covers in light brown Morocco with gilt floral design with red accents, gilt ruling and floral inlay in purple and green with gilt outline on green leather square in centers. Top edges gilt. Bottom and foredge untrimmed. Green silk moire endpapers. Silk ribbon markers. No. 2 of 32 sets of the Author's Manuscript Edition, numbered and signed by the publisher on colophon, retaining the original manuscript leaf in volume one. Printed on Whatman handmade paper with frontispiece in two states, the manuscript leaf bound into the first volume, preceded by certification leaf signed by Jeanette L. Gilder, with seal and signature of the notary, dated May 19, 1902. Two frontispiece portraits of Whitman, one in color, one in b/w, etched by Jaques Reich from the same photograph by Thomas Eakins, with printed tissue guard indicating it to be Whitman's last photograph. Title page with elaborated floral design in green, title printed in red, and green lettering in green double frame. The enclosed manuscript page is from Whitman's "Specimen Days & Collect," first printed by Rees Welsh & Co., Philadelphia, 1882, on page 180., and reproduced in the New England Magazine, New Series. August, 1892, Volume VI, No. 6, and quoted Sylvester Baxter in "Walt Whitman in Boston," pp. 714-721, on page 717. The manuscript consists of twenty-two lines (8 x 4 5/8") with fifteen hand corrections in the text. With three additional volumes, IV, V, and VII, from the same set of "The Complete Writings of Walt Whitman," 2/32, all signed and numbered by the publisher.

"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.