First Edition of Leaves of Grass, one of 795 copies
WHITMAN, WALT. Leaves of Grass. Brooklyn: [Published by the author], 1855. 4to, original decoratively blind-stamped green cloth, gilt lettering. Engraved frontis portrait. First edition, second issue binding, Myerson A2.1.a; BAL 21395, state B of the copyright notice; state B of page iv; state B of the frontis portrait. ¶ One of 795 copies of the only printing of the first edition of Leaves of Grass, a collection of twelve poems of distinctive free verse, anonymously published by the 36-year-old journeyman journalist, printer, teacher, carpenter, and occasional loafer. The 795 copies were bound in different stages, and this is one of the 262 bound between December 1855 and January 1856. Nearly fine copy, enclosed in a chemise and slipcase.
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