Whitman, Walt | One of only 300 copies, signed by the author

Whitman, Walt

Leaves of Grass, with Sands at Seventy & A Backward Glance O'er Travel'd Roads. Philadelphia: Ferguson Bros. & Co., 1889

8vo (181 x 118 mm). Frontispiece with mounted photograph of Whitman holding a paper butterfly, 5 additional inserted portraits throughout; some light toning. Original pebble-grained black leather over flexible boards and closing clasp, upper board lettered in gilt and with facsimile of Whitman's signature in gilt, edges gilt, marbled endpapers; front free endpaper beginning to split from hinge, rubbing to extremities and joints, chipped at head and tail of spine. In green cloth slipcase. [With]: Two United States postal stamps featuring portraits of Whitman, a photographic portrait of Whitman, and ephemera.

One of 300 copies, signed by Whitman on the title. The poet brought out this edition to celebrate his seventieth year. A statement, dated 31 May 1889 and printed on the title-page, reads, "To-day, finishing my 70th year, the fancy comes for celebrating it by a special, complete, final utterance, in one handy volume, of L. of G., with their Annex, and Backward Glance — and for stamping and sprinkling all with portraits and facial photos such as they actually were, taken from life, different stages. Doubtless, anyhow, the volume is more a person than a book. And for testimony to all, (and good measure,) I here with pen and ink append my name: [signature in ink]."

PROVENANCE

José García Villa (owner's inscription to pastedown) — Horace Traubel (gift inscription to C.P. Farrell on initial blank)