Lot 497
  • 497

W. WHITMAN, MEMORANDA DURING THE WAR, CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, 1875-76, WITH AN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED TIPPED IN

Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description

  • Walt Whitman
  • Memoranda During the War. Camden, New Jersey: printed for the author, 1875-'76
  • paper
8vo, first edition, first issue without the "Remembrance Copy" leaf and the two portraits of Whitman, no advertisements at the end, near contemporary half calf, red cloth boards, title leaf extended with repaired tear at outer margin, repair to margin of final leafc, overs detached [with, tipped in at the end:] Walt Whitman, autograph letter signed, to Lord Houghton ("Dear Sir"), sending his address in the hope that Houghton will visit as he is in the area, 1 page, 8vo, 431 Stevens Street, Camden, NJ, 22 September [1875]

Provenance

Richard Monckton Milnes, Lord Houghton, wheatsheaf gilt stamp on upper cover; Robert, Marquess of Crewe, armorial bookplate 

Literature

Meyersona A8.1.a1

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Houghton replied to Whitman's letter from New York on 27 September, apologising that he had only been in Philadelphia for a brief visit. The two men met two months later. Memoranda during the War was 1,000 copies according to manuscript notations by Whitman recorded by Meyerson in his bibliography; of these, 750 were bound by James Arnold of Philadelphia and 100 copies (all first issue) were bound in Two Rivulets with other works (Meyerson A 9.1.a). The second issue (Meyerson A8.1.a2) had the additional "Remembrance copy" page and two portrait engravings. The present copy, whether one removed from Two Rivulets or one of a number of known unbound copies, is probably one given by Whitman himself to Lord Houghton during the latter's visit to America around the time of publication, subsequently rebound with his gold wheatsheaf stamp on the upper cover.