Walt WHITMAN / Leaves of Grass 1881 7th edition

Description: Leaves of Grass Author: WHITMAN, Walt Title: Leaves of Grass Publication: Boston: James R. Osgood & Co., 1881-82 Edition: Seventh edition Description: Hardcover. Octavo, 382pp., illustrated. "Suppressed" edition--the first printing of the seventh edition--and one of just 1,010 copies printed. Second state of title page, as usual, with "1881-82" at the imprint. An unusually fresh, clean copy, about fine, in the publisher's mustard cloth, stamped in gilt. Spine extremely bright, and the inner hinges and contents crisp and fresh. A contemporary handmade dust jacket is retained, though the majority of the front panel and the entirety of the front flap are long gone. Still, the remnant has done a marvelous job of protecting the book over the past century and a half. Contemporary private library label to the front free endpaper, with an inked accession date of 1881. A penciled inscription on the first blank reads: "A book reported [sic] from the library. See pages 88-89." The writer probably meant to write "removed." The notation is highly relevant, as the pages in question were the reason that Osgood ceased publication immediately. Whitman's poem "A Woman Waits for Me" appears on those pages, and its contents are highly sensual and suggestive. Osgood, receiving word from the Massachusetts District Attorney that the book was obscene and must be suppressed, insisted that Whitman remove the poem, which the latter refused to do. Reaching an impasse, Osgood sold the rights and the plates back to Whitman, who brought it to David McKay, who would publish it in a nearly identical binding in 1883, and reprinted it several times during the decade. Whitman's magnum opus was famously revised and rewritten throughout the author's life, so the first printing of each edition has bibliographical significance. This suppressed first printing of the seventh edition is genuinely rare in this condition, and desirable thus. BAL 21418; Myerson A 2.7.81. Fine. Seller ID: 11038 Subject: American literature Cleveland Book Company Lakewood, OH As a small, independent bookseller in Cleveland, Ohio, I deal in general used, rare, and antiquarian books, autographs, manuscripts, pamphlets, and personal and family papers in all subjects. My family has been in the antiquarian book business since 1971. Guarantee All items may be returned within 30 days, with a full refund including shipping costs if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged. Shipping All books shipped to US destinations by USPS Media Mail. Delivery typically takes 5 to 14 days, but may be longer, especially during the holidays. Tracking is provided on all domestic shipments. Expedited and international shipping is available, please contact us for a price quote BEFORE placing an order. We are happy to combine shipping on multiple items. Payment We prefer PayPal. Feedback We leave feedback after receiving buyer's feedback. If you are unhappy with your order for any reason, please contact us before leaving feedback, and we will resolve the problem! We take pride in our business and make every attempt to describe each item in our inventory accurately according to the highest standards of the rare book trade.This listing was created by Bibliopolis.

Price: 3231 USD

Location: Lakewood, Ohio

End Time: 2024-11-20T13:45:03.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5 USD