Seeking a second chance at landmark status, aluminum. June 23, 2014 heiresss first edition copy of walt whitmans leaves of grass sells for record price at christies by claire kelley. In 1856 the second edition of leaves of grass was published, with thirtythree poems, a complimentary letter from ralph waldo emerson published without emersons permission, and a long letter by whitman himself. The past is the push of you, me, all, precisely the same. Walt whitman is americas world poeta latterday successor to homer, virgil, dante, and shakespeare. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Jul 27, 2019 on this day, walt whitmans first edition of the selfpublished leaves of grass is printed, containing a dozen poems whitman was born in west hills, long island, and raised in brooklyn. Feb 27, 2007 in 1855, walt whitman published at his own expense the first edition of leaves of grass, a visionary volume of twelve poems. His major, leaves of grass, which was first published in 1855 with his own money, is a landmark in the history of american literature. The project gutenberg ebook of leaves of grass, by walt whitman this ebook is. Whitman was inspired to begin leaves of grass after reading an essay by ralph waldo emerson which expressed a need for a uniquely american poet. Leaves of grass first edition walt whitman bauman rare books. I highly recommend leaves of grass to everyone especially those who still believe, or want to believe, in the basic goodness of the american experiment.
Where much previous poetry, especially english, relied on symbolism, allegory, and meditation on the religious and spiritual, leaves of grass exalted. This is the one to buy when you want everything walt whitman had published as leaves of grass. The book was printed at the shop of whitman s friends andrew and thomas rome. Leaves of grass, whitman s sole book published at his own expense, represents almost the entirety of his poetical output. Leaves of grass 1855 is a poetry collection by the american poet walt whitman. Showing the influence of a uniquely american form of mysticism known as transcendentalism, which eschewed the general society and culture of the time, the writing is distinguished by an explosively innovative free verse style and previously unmentionable subject. Whitman promptly published another edition of leaves of grass, expanding it by some twenty poems and appending the letter from emerson, much to the latters discomfort.
Leaves of grass by walt whitman hardcover 1920 from. Leaves of grass walt whitman in 1855 whitman published at his own expense a volume of 12 poems, leaves of grass, which he had begun working on probably as early as 1847. Third, he wanted to give poetical expression to his thoughts on lifes great, enduring mysteries birth, death, rebirth or resurrection, and reincarnation. Among the poems in the collection are song of myself, i sing the body electric, out of the cradle endlessly rocking, and in later editions, whitman s elegy to the assassinated president abraham lincoln, when lilacs last in the dooryard bloomd. Leaves of grass is a poetry collection by the american poet walt whitman 18191892. The project gutenberg ebook of leaves of grass, by walt whitman this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Taking its title from the colloquial term grass, meaning a work of minor value, whitmans leaves of grass is anything but that. Walt whitmans seminal book of poetry leaves of grass has several selections that are centered on crafting and defining the american dream. In 1856 it was called a poem of walt whitman, an american and in 1860 it was simply termed walt whitman. I ts not the most expensive book ever auctioned, of.
Leaves of grass, the centerpiece of whitmans writing, and one of the most. Whitman would continue to add poems to leaves of grass in four different editions, his last finished on his deathbed in 1892. Walt whitman s most popular book is leaves of grass. One small, but very fine part of the story is represented by one of the several editions of the book that may be found in special collections. His aim was to transcend traditional epics and to eschew normal aesthetic form. Whitman changed the title to song of myself in 1881. The project gutenberg ebook of leaves of grass, by walt whitman. Walt whitmans most popular book is leaves of grass. One of the great innovators in american letters, walt whitman created a daringly new kind of poetry that became a major force in world literature. Fuhrman leaves of grass come, said my soul, such verses for my body let us write, for we are one, that should i after return, or, long, long hence, in other spheres, there to some group of mates the chants. Leaves of grass without knowing and being thrilled by the magnetic. The changes in the title are significant in indicating the. This classic work of poetry was deemed obscene, too sensual, and shocking because of its frank portrayal of sexuality and its obvious homoerotic overtones.
This volume represents the final edition, commonly referred to as the deathbed edition, and comes with a prefatory note from whitman asserting that this is the version he most considered full and complete. His shirt unbuttoned, his hand placed cockily on his hip, whitman stared down his reader with an insouciant gaze. Leaves of grass, 18551861 timeline articles and essays. Possibly the author had tried a commercial publisher first and had the book rejected. Yield closer and closer, and give me the best you possess. A timeline from walt whitmans publication of the first edition of his masterpiece leaves of grass in july 1855 through two subsequent editions and his first sighting of abraham lincoln as the presidentelect passed through new york on his way to his march 1861 inauguration in washington, shortly before the start of the american civil war.
That honor is still held by the bay psalm book that went at. This monumental work chanted praises to the body as well as to the soul, and found beauty and reassurance even in death. He explores a wide range of themes, encompassing american identity and cultural values, democracy, nature and the mysteries of the human spirit. Walt whitman s leaves of grass created an uproar from the moment it was first published in 1855 and all through its subsequent nine editions. The pavingman leans on his twohanded rammerthe reporters lead flies swiftly over the note book the signpainter is lettering with red and gold. We have also included the socalled deathbed edition of 189192. Whitman was in his mid30s when he published the 95page first edition of leaves of grass. Blodgett and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. American poet walt whitman s leaves of grass, is a collection of poems notable for its frank delight in and praise of the senses, during a time when such candid displays were considered immoral. In 1855 whitman selfpublished a collection of 12 unnamed poems titled the leaves of grass. The cheeky gaze suggested to author and reader that they both knew that there had never been anything like his book. If youve never delved into the publishing history of walt whitman s leaves of grass i had not, until recently, it can be quite an interesting and involved pursuit. The familiar litho of the young rough with open collar opens the book, and reynolds terrific. Maurice bucke in his vivid book upon whitman tells.
Leaves of grass first edition walt whitman bauman rare. Before 1855, the year that whitman published leaves. For all you rare book collectors and walt whitman fans out there, here a tip. A pocket book of modern verse english and american poetry of the las. Walt whitmans leaves of grass 150th anniversary edition. This profound compilation explores topics such as nature, mysticism, mortality, transcendentalism, and democracy. So many versions including, im sorry to say, the expensive leatherclad heirloom editions leave out the homoerotic calamus book and so many other instances of sexuality that they emerge less than half the full page count. The project gutenberg ebook of leaves of grass, by walt. This monumental work chanted praises to the body as well as to. In the preface of leaves of grass, walt whitman addresses americas past. Page 254 then with the knowledge of death as walking one side of me, and the thought of death closewalking the other side of me, and i in the middle as with companions, and as holding the hands of companions, i fled forth to the hiding receiving night that talks not, down to the shores of the water, the path by the swamp in the dimness, to the solemn shadowy cedars and ghostly pines so still. New listing walt whitman leaves of grass and selected prose modern library 19505a2. University of virginia library online exhibits censored. Leaves of grass by walt whitman, used abebooks passion for books.
Decoding walt whitmans homoerotic writings biographer. Leaves of grass collects dozens of poems that whitman continuously revised over the last years of his life. No one knows for certain how whitman raised the money to pay for the first leaves of grass whitman had taken his manuscript to a couple of friends, the brothers james and thomas rome, who had a printing shop at the corner of fulton and cranberry streets. He was only able to print 795 copies of the book because thats what he could afford. So many versions including, im sorry to say, the expensive leatherclad heirloom editions leave out the homoerotic calamus book and so many other instances of. Get the best deals on walt whitman books when you shop the largest online selection at. Critical essays themes in leaves of grass whitman s major concern was to explore, discuss, and celebrate his own self, his individuality and his personality. Oct 17, 2019 this lovely collection of walt whitman quotes will inspire you to see beauty in the world and push past all of your struggles. Critical essays themes in leaves of grass second, he wanted to eulogize democracy and the american nation with its achievements and potential. Walter scott, 24 warwick lane paternoster row, and newcastleontyne. No sentimentalistno stander above men and women, or apart from them. Showing the influence of a uniquely american form of mysticism known as transcendentalism, which eschewed the general society and culture of the time, the writing is distinguished by an explosively innovative free verse style and previously. Apr 30, 2005 buy leaves of grass special edition by whitman, walt isbn. It is not the entire book of poems, entitled leaves od grass, by walt whitman.
Push close, my lovers, and take the best i possess. In leaves of grass 1855, 18912, he celebrated democracy, nature, love, and friendship. Walt whitman leaves of grass the untold want genius. Exactly the value of one and exactly the value of two, and which is ahead. Where much previous poetry, especially english, relied on symbolism, allegory, and meditation on the religious and spiritual, leaves of grass exalted the body and the material world. He later took the book apart, edited these poems and intermixed them with 33 new poems to create the calamus cluster of the third edition of leaves of grass. Leaves of grass was a fundamental withdrawal from the recognized and wellknown poetic norms. Leaves of grassbook iii wikisource, the free online library. In the opening paragraph, whitman speaks to the fact that america does not repel or refuse to accept what has happened. Heiresss first edition copy of walt whitmans leaves of. Poems by walt whitman and millions of other books are available for instant access. Whitman had worked as a printer and newspaper publisher, and this first edition of his poetry was selfpublished in every sense of the word. Pick up the slim first edition whitman revised and expanded leaves of grass throughout his life.
To push with resistless way and speed off in the distance. Leaves of grass is his masterpiece, written in a pure, uninhibited style, combining sensual and mystical s. Second, he wanted to eulogize democracy and the american nation with its achievements and potential. The enduring mystery of walt whitmans live oak, with. Their author, walt whitman, wanted nothing less than to unite a fraying nation under the banner of his poetic voice. Technically speaking, this is not a distinct edition but is a reprinting of. As for the rest of the material, it may well be fine but it is not the library of america. Whitman extols the virtues of the american dream even. It was criticized because of whitmans exaltation of the body and sexual love and also because of its innovation in verse formthat is, the use of free verse in long. First published in 1855 and extended by the author over the course of more than three decades, leaves of grass embodies walt whitman s lifetime ambition to create a new voice that could capture the spirit and vibrancy of the young american nation, while celebrating at.
Leaves of grass by walt whitman new leather bound collectible hardcover gift. Leaves of grass 9780760705506 by whitman, walt and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Its author is walter whitman, and the book is a reproduction of the author. Whitman sang a song of brooklyn, but even if he was a pennydaily, he was more than just a local. Walt whitman, american poet, journalist and essayist whose verse collection leaves of grass, first published in 1855, is a landmark in the history of american literature. Leaves of grass collins classics walt whitman ebook. Leaves of grass is a collection of poetry that whitman continuously edited upon its initial publication in 1855 through 1892, when he passed away. If you are looking, specifically, for the first edition 1855 of leaves of grass which is given prominence of place in the library of america edition you will not find it here.
I ts not the most expensive book ever auctioned, of course. This lovely collection of walt whitman quotes will inspire you to see beauty in the world and push past all of your struggles. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Walt whitman leaves of grass lyrics and tracklist genius.
The links below are to the six american editions of leaves of grass published in whitman s lifetime. The final product, which is what is most often seen on bookshelves, is a bloated, redundant. Walt whitman, leaves of grass, 1855 western illinois university. Walt whitman am i, a kosmos, of mighty manhattan the son, turbulent, fleshy and sensual, eating, drinking and breeding.
The young walt whitman heeded emersons call for an american poet, and the result in 1855 was leaves of grass. Perhaps the best known poem in leaves of grass is song. Leaves of grass by walt whitman full text free book. Leaves of grass by walt whitman its easy to link to paragraphs in the full text archive if this page contains some material that you want to link to but you dont want your visitors to have to scroll down the whole page just hover your mouse over the relevent paragraph and click the bookmark icon that appears to the left of it. As a whole, they explores themes of love, nature, spiritualism, and the soul, declaring that the body is one and the same as the soul. They were written in a distinctly american voice and were about american men and women. Leaves of grass by walt whitman and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Description walt whitman 18191892 is widely considered to be the greatest and most influential of all american poets.
The frontispiece of leaves of grass featured an engraved portrait of whitman dressed in working clothes. The sniff of green leaves and dry leaves, and of the shore and darkcolord searocks, and of hay in the barn, the sound of the belchd words of my voice loosd to the eddies. In 1855, walt whitman published at his own expense the first edition of leaves of grass, a visionary volume of twelve poems. Walt whitman has 685 books on goodreads with 314119 ratings. Leaves of grass by walt whitman full text free book part 19. Although the first edition was published in 1855, whitman spent most of his professional life writing and rewriting leaves of grass, revising it multiple times until his death. This poem had no title in the first 1855 edition of leaves of grass. Leaves of grass by walt whitman full text free book part 49. If you need to cancel your order you need to do it as soon as possible. In response to ralph waldo emersons call for the united states to have its own unique poetic voice, walt whitman rose to the challenge to create what would ultimately be his most profound work. Leaves of grass by walt whitman is a publication of. Discount prices on books by walt whitman, including titles like leaves of grass leatherbound classics. Walt whitman, who was born 200 years ago this year, is almost certainly the greatest american poet. Though the first edition was published in 1855, whitman spent his entire life writing and rewriting leaves of grass, revising it in several editions until his death.
216 17 1332 845 1006 730 139 666 1336 933 1101 466 819 1023 963 15 1218 1088 1114 709 732 382 147 1115 183 1284 142 255 172 1499 1315 768 1036 284