$36,900
Whitman, Walt (1819-1892) Leaves of Grass. Brooklyn: [for the author by Andrew and James Rome], 1855. First edition, first issue, with the engraved portrait of Whitman by Samuel Hollyer after a photograph printed on thick paper, no tissue guard; copyright statement on verso of title; without the laudatory press statements that appear in later issues; bound in full green publisher's cloth, the spine gilt lettered with floral decorations, the boards triple filleted with the title in gilt and floral tools blind blocked, marbled endleaves, gilt edges; in a later green buckram jacket inserted in a half morocco slipcase; one corner of the frontispiece torn and replaced, not affecting the portrait; title page formerly torn and repaired on verso, the repair crossing over the copyright statement; title page also reinforced with narrow strips of paper along three edges on verso; binding feels loose in relation to text block; thumbing, spotting, and light edge damage to leaves; contemporary stenciled ownership mark to title; wear to binding, 11 x 7 1/2 in. First edition of this unprecedented work of American poetry, sometimes called the second Declaration of Independence, and self-published; Whitman personally helped out with the typesetting.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2015-11-15
