Skip to main content

The 1855 Leaves of Grass: A Bibliography of Copies

The 1855 Leaves of Grass: A Bibliography of Copies

This bibliography, based on data originally compiled by Ed Folsom, includes information from a census of all known extant copies of the first (1855) edition of Whitman's Leaves of Grass. In some cases, copy descriptions have been added or updated since the census as new information has become available. Information about bindings and states corresponds to the bindings and states listed in Bibliography of American Literature, vol. 9., ed. Michael Winship (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1991), 31–32. Where they differ, corresponding states in Joel Myerson, Walt Whitman: A Descriptive Bibliography (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1993), are listed in parentheses within the extended descriptions. What is described in relation to the frontispiece as an embossed frame may be a plate-mark or the impression made by the edge of the engraving plate. For more information, or to download a spreadsheet with the raw data from the census, see Ed Folsom, "The Census of the 1855 Leaves of Grass: A Preliminary Report," Walt Whitman Quarterly Review 24.2 (Fall 2006): 71–84.

Abbreviation Repository Binding Frontispiece State Copyright Page State Reviews Call Number Notes
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). American Antiquarian Society. Abbreviation: AAS_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Reserve 1855 02 F Notes: Penciled ownership inscription on recto of frontispiece: X. A. Willard Nov 1855. Xerxes Addison Willard (1820–1882), a resident of Little Falls, N.Y.; the book remained in the possession of Addison's daughter, "Mrs. Bibby," until acquired by the American Antiquarian Society on 30 October 1938 (purchased from the bookseller Edward F. Coffin).
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Amherst College Library Archives and Special Collections, Amherst College. Abbreviation: AC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: xPS3201 1855 copy 1 Notes: Embossed frame on frontispiece is noted as plate-mark. Fowlers, Wells & Co., label mounted at upper left of front paste-down (Orson Fowler graduated from Amherst in 1834).
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Amherst College Library Archives and Special Collections, Amherst College. Abbreviation: AC_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: xPS3201 1855 copy 2 Notes: Bookplate of "Library of Lincolniana, William E. Barton" on front paste-down.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). James Addison Jones Library, Brevard College. Abbreviation: BC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: 811.38 W615L Notes: Inscription (on verso of frontispiece): "from C. Vaux Nov. 1855" [Calvert Vaux 19th c. landscape architect). Inscription (on back free endpaper): "Emmett Oct. 1918 rebk". Bound incorrectly so pagination runs iv to 24, 27–28, 25–26, 31–32, 29–30, 33–95.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Center for Archival Collections, Jerome Library, Bowling Green State University. Abbreviation: BGSU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: rareovsz PS3201 1855 Notes: Purchased by Bowling Green State University Libraries on February 11, 1955 for $350.00 from Seven Gables. Tissue paper covering frontispiece. Volume housed in green two-part slipcase. Volume had conservation treatment in 2004.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). British Library. Abbreviation: BL_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Frontispiece reveals evidence of embossing process, but not a commercial frame. Red British Museum stamps on frontispiece (recto), copyright page, final verso.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Boston Public Library, Rare Book Department. Abbreviation: BPL_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: WHITMAN 10.7 or 10.1 Notes: Handwritten on copyright page: "Theodore Parker/Aug. 1 1881". Clipping with R. W. Emerson letter before frontispiece.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Boston Public Library, Rare Book Department. Abbreviation: BPL_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: WHITMAN 10.7 or 10.1
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Ball State University Libraries, Ball State University. Abbreviation: BSU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: No title stamped on spine, endpapers not original. Stamped "Ipswich Public Library, Ipswich, Massachusetts"; "Wells Bindery, Waltham, Mass. August 1942" stamped on back free endpaper. Dealer notes.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, Boston University. Abbreviation: BU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 .E551 Notes: Inscriptions (3) on front free endpaper. Bookplate "Gift from Alice & Rollo Silver". Label "Fowlers, Wells & Co, Phrenologists and Publishers".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University. Abbreviation: BYU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: 811.38 L46 1855 Notes: Signature of "J. Dowd".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Armstrong Browning Library, Baylor University. Abbreviation: BaU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855 Notes: Inscribed on front free endpaper: "Sidney E. Sittser / Sennett / August 1856".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Bolton Archives and Local Studies Unit, Bolton Library. Abbreviation: BoL_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Inscription on title page "For Dr Johnston" between "leaves" and "of". Dr. Johnston was a friend of Whitman and founding member of the Bolton Whitman Fellowship. Research and supporting material suggest that the inscription is in Whitman's hand. Printed version of R. W. Emerson letter pasted in the top left-hand corner of the front paste-down endpaper.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). John Hay Library, Brown University. Abbreviation: BrU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: 1-SIZE WW A2 1855 copy 1 Notes: Housed in modern blue-green cloth slipcase. Inserts by Whitman and others mounted on endpapers: R. W. Emerson letter, dated in this printed version "Concord, Mass'tts, 21 July, 1855"; three galley proofs of Whitman's reviews of his own work: "Walt Whitman and his Poems," from the United States Review; "Walt Whitman, a Brooklyn Boy," from the Brooklyn Daily Times; and "An English and an American Poet [Tennyson and Whitman]," from the American Phrenological Journal (Myerson E1178–1180); galley proof of Charles Eliot Norton's review of Leaves of Grass, from Putnam's Monthly, for September [1855]; and news clipping, headed "Philadelphia, March 29 [1892]: Walt Whitman dead [or dies?], close of the life work of a good old man"; includes drawing of Whitman seated in a rocking chair. There is a card from the Hay Library pasted on the inside front cover (left, marbled page) which lists the following information about this copy: "First issue of the first edition. Whitman's own desk copy, containing galley proofs of Whitman's reviews of the edition. It also contains an excessively rare leaflet printing of Emerson's letter, with the note: 'Copy for the convenience of private reading only.' The marble end-papers are one of the points of the first issue." There are several inscriptions in the text. At the top of the first preface page there is an inscription [. . .] which reads: "Tho D. Smith. / Presented by the Author. / Brooklyn N.Y. / 1855." On the title page an inscription in the top right corner has been erased (there is information about this in an enclosed letter—see below). On the inside flyleaf, on the right side, there is an inscription written in pencil that reads as follows: "Obituary—Unknown, Nov. 7th / Brooklyn Daily Times / Putnam's Monthly / Am. Phrenological Journal / United States Review / Ralph Waldo Emerson / & several autographs, mysteriously missing—from the fly leaves of this Volume—which was handed to the writer on his departure for the West, in 1855—This copy being the last of the edition, and from his table, / T. D. Smith. / June 27 / 04". On the opposite flyleaf, a piece of paper with a revised selection from the poems has been pasted. The selection, titled "Animals," does not appear to be in Whitman's hand. It reads as follows: "I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so plain and self contented, / I stand and look at them long and long. / They do not sweat and whine about their condition, / They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins, / They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God, / Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things, / Not one kneels to another nor to his kind that lived a thousand years ago / Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth. / Walt Whitman." Finally, there is a letter pasted into this edition that provides information about its provenance. The letter identifies this copy as Whitman's original desk copy that was given as a gift to Thomas Smith in 1855. A transcription of the handwritten letter is as follows: "279 Liberty St. / November 18th 1931 / Prof. Emory Holloway / My dear Mr. Holloway, / You ask for some history of my 'Leaves of Grass' and I find myself rather vague as to my personal knowledge of it, as I inherited it amongst the personal effects of my son,—and only child— / My father-in-law, Thomas [illeg.] Smith, a bookman in Brooklyn, in 1855, was an intimate friend of Walt Whitman, and, on the occasion of his paying the Poet a farewell visit before leaving Brooklyn Whitman took the book from his desk and presented it as a parting gift. Note is made of the incident on a front page—I do not know who wrote the inscription, nor do I know who erased it, but my father-in-law prized the book and told me it would be valuable. Mr. Smith's written comment would indicate that he felt that some one had tampered with it,—some papers and autographs missing, but he never mentioned it to me. It would seem likely that the newspaper clippings &c. had been pasted in by Whitman as it was his desk copy. I am truly sorry that I cannot give you a more lucid account but it was all before my time. The deaths of both my husband and son have closed the family record, as they were the last of their race. If you wish to send this with the book for inspection, do so. I hope it may prove useful. / Very Sincerely / Marie L. Huntsmith[?]".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). John Hay Library, Brown University. Abbreviation: BrU_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: 1-SIZE WW A2 1855 copy 2 Notes: Flyleaf has two notes, handwritten in pencil: "Page 23 / Abode later adobe" and "p 29—Name of Author". The word "abode" also underlined in pencil on p. 23. Other pencil markings throughout. Inside cover has small bookplate: "Ex Libris / W. Van R. Whitall". General information from Hay bookplate: "This book is the gift of Leonard Kebler". This copy is housed in a modern blue-green cloth slipcase, with brown morocco spine divided into panels, lettered: "Leaves of Grass / Walt Whitman. Brooklyn 1855" [punctuation supplied].
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). John Hay Library, Brown University. Abbreviation: BrU_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: 1-SIZE WW A2 1855a copy 2 Notes: Title page and following pages partly loose; pages 89–90 loose. Some penciled notes and markings. There is a mounted clipping from the New York Sun, March 19th, 1876. The article mentions the opinions of William D. O'Connor, and an inscription on the clipping reads: "N.Y. Sun March 19th 1876 / Friend O'Connor: How do you like this for a rub? / N York March 20 1876. / John McCrone". There is a bookplate inside the volume that reads: "Ex Libris / Thomas Jefferson McKee". There is also a bookplate from Brown that notes: "Bought at the McKee sale / November, 1900 / Price: $41. / The Gift of Chancellor Goddard". Housed in blue-green cloth slipcase.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). John Hay Library, Brown University. Abbreviation: BrU_04 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: 1-SIZE WW A2 1855a copy 1 Notes: Manuscript note in pencil inside cover: "N.B. get Walden—? who printed it—"; more penciled notes scattered through text. Armorial bookplate of Henry B. Anthony. Binding is under stress, particularly in the area of the preface, but it is not broken. Housed in blue-green cloth slipcase.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). John Hay Library, Brown University. Abbreviation: BrU_05 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: 1-SIZE WW A2 1855 copy 3 Notes: Plain brown coated endpapers. Inscribed by Whitman on the front flyleaf: "The days in Boston on my visit—April 13th–19th 1881—the good times with you dear Boyle & my other dear new friends—the affectionate kindnesses—talks &c. Walt Whitman." Beneath Whitman's inscription, Oscar Wilde inscribed lines from his poem "Humanitad": "The spirit who living blamelessly yet dared to kiss the smitten mouth of his own century. Oscar Wilde." From the library of Irish-American author and activist John Boyle O'Reilly, with his autograph signature, and the dates "Sept. 1877" inscribed on front flyleaf and "4th Sept. 1877" on recto of frontispiece leaf. Above that, another signature: "[Amy?] [Badger?]." With a signed portrait of Whitman ("Phototype. F. Gutekunst Philadelphia") pasted to front endpaper. The tissue guard is not present in this copy. Copy cataloged as lot 248 is Christie's sale catalog of 17 May 1989. Gift of Daniel G. Siegel in 2018.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Clark Art Institute Library, Clark Art Institute. Abbreviation: CAI_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: Rare Book Room Call #B Notes: Handwritten dealer notes on endpapers; pasted-in printed label with dealer notes; typewritten slip of paper with dealer notes and decription of binding (half morocco with marbled boards).
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Ella Strong Denison Library, Scripps College Campus, The Claremont Colleges. Abbreviation: CC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Notes: Bookplate of Janet Jacks Balch, a member of the first Scripps College Board of Trustees.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections, Carnegie Mellon University Libraries, Carnegie Mellon University. Abbreviation: CMU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 Notes: No embossed frame, but plate mark can be felt. Front marbled endpaper has four abraded areas. Two bookplates of Charles J. Rosenbloom. Book ticket of Fowlers, Wells & Co. Purchased from book dealer Charles Sessler in Philadelphia, date and price not known.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections and Preservation Division, Chicago Public Library. Abbreviation: CPL_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library, Cornell University. Abbreviation: CU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Rare PS 3201+ 1855 Notes: Bookplate "Cornell University Library Gift of Mr. Jerome Ohrbach".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Kelvin Smith Library, Case Western Reserve University. Abbreviation: CWRU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS 3201 1855a Notes: First page of the reviews insert is missing.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Columbia University Libraries. Abbreviation: CoU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: B812W59 S7 1855 Notes: The flyleaf recto bookleaf reads: "The ENGLE Collection Presented by Solton and Julius Engel Columbia University Libraries". "Walt Whitman" signed in Whitman's hand (??) on the title page. On title page: "Mr M Allin [?] Xmas 1904". "Moncure D. Conway copy" according to the Columbia University Library catalog.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Columbia University Libraries. Abbreviation: CoU_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Bancroft B812.W59 S7 1855 c.2 Notes: Inside cover: Bookplate of William B. Scott. CUL bookplate: presented by Corliss Lamont. Pasted to flyleaf: recto pasted dealer catalog entry. R. W. Emerson letter clipping/scrap pasted to gray laid paper with watermark Crown enclosing Brittania (?). Many passages painted over (?) in white, some of these subsequently restored through erasure. Other marginal notes, e.g. pg. 45 lines 3, 6–7 painted over and subsequently restored through erasure, p. 47 "piddle" painted over in white, "peddle" added super in ms.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Columbia University Libraries. Abbreviation: CoU_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Bancroft B812.W59 S7 1855 c.3
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rauner Special Collections Library, Dartmouth College Library, Dartmouth College. Abbreviation: DC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Val. 816 W59 S8 Notes: Catharine Brooks Yale [author of Abbie Nott and Other Knots] autograph on recto of plate leaf.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University. Abbreviation: DU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 4to c.1 Notes: Trent Collection. Typescript note kept with volume includes the following: "This copy was presented to the present owner by her grandfather, who apparently purchased it at the time of publication."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University. Abbreviation: DU_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 4to c.2 Notes: Bright red marbled endpapers, not original. Printed segment "The Objects of the Fellowship" tipped in next to page 83 (from Walt Whitman Fellowship Papers, 8 [October 1894]).
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University. Abbreviation: DU_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 4to c.3 Notes: Trent Collection, with label pasted to front endpaper. Cambridge University Pitt Club stamps on front endpaper and copyright page. Bound without first 4 pages of preface (pp. [iii]-vi). An index card laid into the volume has the following typescript note: "A freak copy of the second issue of the first edition, lacking the first six pages of preface. A matter for speculation how this came about—possibly a binding freak. / The letter mentioning O'Connor happened to come with it, but is not necessarily of it."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University. Abbreviation: DU_04 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855c 4to c. 1 Notes: London label affixed to title page. From Lord Esher's library, with bookplate. Owner signature: "E. Adeline Darby". Penciled markings throughout. A typewritten note laid into the volume reads: "This is one of the few copies that was sent to England soon after it was printed (note the dealer's slip parted in). This copy was in Lord Esher's famous library until his death, several years ago. It was then sent back to New York for sale and purchased by Professor Gay W. Allen."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Drew University. Abbreviation: DrU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: RAREBOOKS PS3201 1855 Notes: Sticker of Fowler, Wells & Co. 142 Washington St., Boston. Inscriptions: "Sam W. Rowse 5 1/2 Tremont Row Boston, Mass.", "E.E. Clapp 24 Winter St. Boston, Mass." and "E.E. Clapp to Chas Lehr Philadelphia Jan 24/06".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections & Archives, Robert W. Woodruff Library, Emory University. Abbreviation: EU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 .A1 1855 FOLIO DANOWSKI Notes: Autograph: Bayard Taylor, July, 1855. Bookplate of H. Bradley Martin.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Grinnell College Libraries, Grinnell College. Abbreviation: GC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 Notes: Written on verso of frontispiece: "No one knows what a poet was writing about, if he did he would cease to be a poet. But still purely American Literature he divides honors with Hucklebury Finn."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Musselman Library, Gettysburg College. Abbreviation: GeC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855a Notes: Inside front cover: "Bot about Spe 5-1915". Top page first flyleaf: "F.S. Ryman Sept 21 1915". Bookplate: "This book is presented from the library of Thomas Y. Cooper in affectionate memory of his parents M. Cooper, N.D. & Kare Miller Cooper."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Mossey Library, Hillsdale College. Abbreviation: HC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: "E.L. Browne, Onconda March 6 1856 Therefore trust to thy heart and to what the world calls illusions. Nothing in turth can harm us."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Huntington Library. Abbreviation: HL_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: This copy has been turned into a scrap-book and most pages covered with clippings! Also many leaves cut out. Signature of Rupert Hughes (1872–1956) on front flyleaf. Some pencil markings throughout. Acquired by Huntington April 1992.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Huntington Library. Abbreviation: HL_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: 110374 Notes: Author's inscription: "C. G. Rosenberg from W.W." Two inscriptions of Samuel Hollyer (possible engraver of frontis.), 1855 and N.Y. April 1897. Bookplate of Frederic Robert Halsey on inside of front cover. Spine has been repaired. W. J. Linton wood-engraving of Whitman cut out and mounted to back of frontispiece. Some penciled markings throughout.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Huntington Library. Abbreviation: HL_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: 427000 Notes: London label affixed to title page. Leather bookplate of Lucy Smith Battson on back of frontispiece. Dawson's Bookshop price, dated 9-4-31. Donated to Huntington by Mr. and Mrs. Leigh M. Battson, June 1973.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library Company of Philadelphia (on deposit from the Historical Society of Philadelphia). Abbreviation: HSP_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: HSP in LCP *Am 1855 Whi Wzz 83 W615b Notes: Bookplate of Carolyn Wells. Bookplate of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, with typewritten note: "presented by, / estate of Mrs. Wharton Sinkler / May 31, 1977". This copy is on deposit with the Library Company of Philadelphia and is owned by the Historical Society of Philadelphia, located down the block on Locust Street. Along with the bookplates of Carolyn Wells and the Historical Society of Philadelphia, there is a book dealer's description of the copy, with a handwritten description of the copy's provenance by either the same or a subsequent dealer. Also slipped into the copy is a page torn from Memoranda During the War, providing concise biographical information on Whitman. Pictures are available on file.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Dumbarton Oaks Research Library, Harvard University. Abbreviation: HU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Copy signed on title page, "Walt Whitman Sept: 1889". Dumbarton Oaks Library also holds a separate copy, printed on blue paper of broadside letter.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Houghton Library, Harvard University. Abbreviation: HU_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Shelfmark: *AC85.W5965.855la Notes: Rebound, but original in binding A. No frontispiece per se, extra-illustrated copy with five portraits. Ex libris bookplate: "George Robert White".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Houghton Library, Harvard University. Abbreviation: HU_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Shelfmark: f Lowell *AC85.W5965.855la Notes: Rebound, originally binding B. Ex libris: "Amy Lowell".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Houghton Library, Harvard University. Abbreviation: HU_04 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Shelfmark: f *AC85.L8605.Zy855w Notes: Ex libris: "Henry Wadsworth Longfellow" from the Longfellow Collection at Craigie House deposited by Trustees of the Longfellow House Trust, 1954. Facsimile of Whitman's note to Longfellow, 20 February 1881. Clipping with R. W. Emerson letter pasted in on upper left-hand corner of the front pasted-down endpaper.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Houghton Library, Harvard University. Abbreviation: HU_05 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Shelfmark: f *AC85.J2335.Zz855w Notes: Ex libris: "Thomas Gaisford". Books from the James Family Library, the bequest of Mrs. Henry James. Clippings on Whitman pasted in front; NYPL letter with details about this copy. London label may once have been affixed to title page. Clipping with R. W. Emerson letter pasted to front flyleaf recto.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Houghton Library, Harvard University. Abbreviation: HU_06 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Shelfmark: f*AC85.W5965.855l Notes: Page 32 "p" in "grip" is incomplete. Ex libris signature, dated 1855: "Charles Eliot Norton". Norton's MS poem "A Leaf of Grass" and printed version tipped into volume.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Indiana University Bloomington. Abbreviation: InU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Call Number: PS3201.L4 1855 Notes: Bookplates of Albert Thorndike and J. K. Lilly. Bookseller's label of Fowlers, Wells & Co., Phrenologists & Publishers, Boston.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Indiana University Bloomington. Abbreviation: InU_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Call Number: PS3201.L4 1855a Notes: Extra copy of second signature. The second copy of signature [2] has leaves 1 and 2 excised.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Indiana University Bloomington. Abbreviation: InU_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Call Number: PS3201.L4 1855b Notes: Rebound in full mottled calf, gilt edges, by Rivière & Son [1890–1900?]. Rebacked, old spine mounted, covers rubbed. Includes printed version of R. W. Emerson letter.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, The John Work Garrett Library. Abbreviation: JHU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 QUARTO c. 1 Notes: London label affixed to title page. Inscriptions, etc.: title page: ownership inscription of "F.T. Palgrave / 1857"; front pastedown: tipped in address from envelope with red-orange U.S. 2-cent stamp (portrait of Andrew Jackson?): "Frederick Locker / 25 Chesham Street / Belgrave Square / London England / SW"; front pastedown: leather booklabel of John and Alice Garrett (from whom the book came to Johns Hopkins University); front pastedown and front free endpaper: remnants of at least two other tipped-in items, at least one of which was probably a dealer's description. Front free endpaper, verso: inscription: "F. Locker / From F.T. Palgrave / June 1868 / This is the original first / edition, printed by the / hand of the Yankee / [illegible] himself." The illegible word looks like Tappse or Fuppse or Foppse or something like. Recto of frontispiece: printed label, pasted on: "Locker---Mr. Frederick Locker, 25, Chesham-street, S.W., is a director of the / Hand-in-Hand Insurance Society." Paper: frequent "vatman's tears" throughout (all very small). A (presumably accidental) watermark at pp. 77–78; possibly caused by a piece of string or other fiber falling onto the web of the papermaking machine? "Deckle edge" at tail of pp. 19–20 and 21–22. Seam mark [from the seam in the belt(?) of the papermaking machine] in pp. 19–20 and 21–22, perpendicular to the spine, about halfway down the page. Printing evidence: No obvious "gripper marks": i.e., small indentations usually at the foredge of certain pages, which indicate the use of a particular type of printing press. The sewing threads appear to be fairly visible, so that this might be an easy copy to collate. I did not perform a collation, although one may not be able to assume that all copies would collate the same. I suspect it might be worth knowing whether the sheets were imposed for folding as if in quarto or as if in folio. Reading evidence: A few minimal pencil reader's markings in the margins, mostly lines and one cross or plus symbol; occasional underlining. May not be possible to date; could be twentieth-century. Binding evidence: No obvious sewer's mark [usually occurs in the gutter toward the end of some nineteenth-century books, indicative of counting up piece-work for payment of the person who sewed the gatherings.] Other relevant materials in the collection: The Garrett Library also holds (separately) a collection of Walt Whitman items, most if not all of which were originally sent by Whitman to Edward Dowden or otherwise gathered by Dowden, and which then passed through the possession of Revere Osler and/or Sir William Osler: 1. envelope containing address portion of envelopes addressed by Walt Whitman to Edward Dowden, plus an autographed photo of Whitman; 2. envelope containing early prospectus and reviews of Leaves of Grass: possibly referring to the first edition; 3. bound volume containing Whitman proof sheets, &c. 1871–87; 4. bound volume containing appearances and references to Whitman in magazines, &c., 1862–1907; 5. bound volume containing Scottish Art Review for June 1889 with Rhys's article on the photographic portraits of Whitman; 6. bound volume containing newspaper cuttings and reviews of Whitman, 1866–1892. The envelope listed as no. 2 above contains three items which I assume are relevant to the 1855 Leaves, and may possibly have been removed from the front endleaves of our copy at some point (the tears at the top of the items look like they resulted from someone carelessly removing something that was tipped into a book; I have not attempted to do quasi-facsimile transcription): 1. "[Torn - word missing] States review. / Walt Whitman [torn - word missing] Poems." n.d. First line: "An American bard at last! One of the roughs, large, proud, affectionate,," 81.5 x 13.8 cm. 2. "From the Brooklyn Daily Times/Walt Whitman, A Brooklyn Boy. [Torn: Leaves] of Grass: (a volume of Poems, just publis[hed])" n.d. First line: "T[torn: missing]dgement on real poems, one needs an account of [torn: missing]et himself Very" 18 cm x 11.5 cm 3. "From the American Phrenological Journal." [A]n English and an American Poet" 1855. First line: "It is always reserved for second-rate poems immediately to gratify. A" 60.7 x 12 cm.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Koninklijke Bibliotheek (The Hague, Netherlands). Abbreviation: KB_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: KB, 9042 A 3 Notes: Inscription on flyleaf in pencil: "M[?] Jenner Edinburg", on title page, "M[?] Jenner", and library book numbers. Slight water staining on inserted review, frontispiece, and first four pages of text.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections and Archives, Kent State University Libraries. Abbreviation: KSU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: rareovsz PS3201 1855 c.1 Notes: Embossing around frontispiece is very faint. Copy presented by Victor E. Buehrle Class of 1950. Signed by John Chipman Hoadley 1855 (friend of Herman Melville). Poem "Walt Whitman's Pension" and photograph of WW. Bookplate of A. Edward Newton.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Library Company of Philadelphia. Abbreviation: LCP_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Rare * Am 1855 Whi 2687.Q Notes: Bookplate of the Library Company of Philadelphia. Pasted onto the inside back cover is a caricature-like portrait of Whitman by "P. Shugg" from the Fifth Avenue Journal, 1872.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 c. 3, first issue Notes: Houghton Collection. Provenance: W. L. Tiffany. Typewritten on accompanying note: "This copy of the 1st edition of L. of G. belonged to W.L. Tiffany, 325 So. Ninth St., Minneapolis, Minn. whose name and address is written by W. W. in his COMMONPLACE BOOK—Whitman having sent him a circular on February 2, 1878." Auction list note from James F Drake, Inc. also included: "224. WHITMAN (WALT). Leaves of Grass. Frontispiece portrait on plain paper. 4to, original green cloth, decorated in gold and blind, marbled endpapers, gilt edges, with green watered silk protection cover, in full levant morocco solander case. Brooklyn, N. Y., 1855. $3000.00. First edition. First issue, with the gold borders and gilt edges. Fine copy of this excessively rare book." On page iv, the 'n' and 'd' in the word "and" are imperfect. Marginalia on p. vi ("Swedenborg"), p. 34 ("I think I could turn...whole earth" passage marked), pp. 52-3 ("Long enough...keep out of the sun"), pp. 84-5 ("The old face...The justified mother of men!"), p. 95 ("Great is wickedness...death is great as life"). Leaf imprint on p. 81.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855e c. 3, second issue Notes: Feinberg Collection. On page iv, "some smudging on imprint of 'and'". On page 56, "faint hint of period on the 'u'".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 office c. 1 Notes: Smithsonian Deposit Office sticker on front endpaper. Penciled note "By Walt Whitman" on title page. Stamp "Smithsonian Institution 5750" on title page. Blank page 96 stamped at foot "May 3, 1856."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_04 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 c.2 Notes: Houghton Collection. Owner inscription on title page is Seth Rogers. Bookplate on marbled front endpaper "Carolyn Wells;" penciled notes on back flyleaf: "Bequest of Mrs. Carolyn Wells Houghton | May 8, 1942" and "Whitman, Walt" and "PS3201 1855 copy 2 Rare bk. coll." Marginalia on pp. vii–xi and in poetry.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_05 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855a c.2 Notes: Houghton Collection. Frontispiece printed on an unknown paper, "much thicker than India sheet, creamier, and slightly textured . . . has evenly spaced smudge marks on the left edge of the printed sheet."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_06 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855a office c.1
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_07 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855a c.3 Notes: Feinberg Collection. Bookplate of Frank Brewer Bemis.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_08 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855a c.4 Notes: Feinberg Collection. Bookplate of Eugene Field.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_09 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855a c.5 Notes: Feinberg Collection. Provenance: William C. Keelunte [?] / No 226 Vine Street. Bookplate John Stuart Groves.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_10 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855a c.6 Notes: Feinberg Collection. Thomas Mosher's copy, with bookplate.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_11 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855e c.1 Notes: Feinberg Collection. Bookplate of R.M. Bucke, with annotations, including a correction of 'adobe' for 'abode' on p. 23 ("adobe(?) R. M. B."). Author inscription on title page: "Walt Whitman / Camden New Jersey / Oct: 31 1890."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_12 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855e c.2 Notes: Feinberg Collection. A copy associated with a nineteenth-century actress [photo inlaid] but much later than 1855. Interesting unattributed material pasted into the inside back cover. Some inscriptions, one pasted clipping. All from much later dates. The following notes are written on the flyleaf: "Clarence Cook. / Newburgh. / June 26, 1857." and "Edward Gordon Craig / from Mother / New York / 1900."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_13 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855f Notes: Houghton Collection. Reviews at front but cut off. Frontispiece printed on regular paper, but has been remounted on stiffer paper.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Congress. Abbreviation: LC_14 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855g c.1 Notes: Feinberg Collection. London label affixed to title page (Wm. Horsell). A bookseller label on the inside front cover reads "R. Cann & Sons, Booksellers Stationers & Printers, Harleston."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Charles Von der Ahe Library, Loyola Marymount University. Abbreviation: LMU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: SPEC COLL PS3201 1855 Notes: Embossing very slight and only along length. Inscribed on verso of frontispiece "To M. Bailey from his friend William Swinton". Copy part of Helena and John Weadlock Collection of Rare and Fine Printed Books and First Editions, gifted by T. Marie Chilton.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Lehigh University Libraries, Lehigh University. Abbreviation: LU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: SC S 818.4 W615L [1] Notes: Leather bookplate on front pastedown: "Robert Honeyman IV". Stamp in gutter on p.[iii]: "Lehigh 20je60".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Lehigh University Libraries, Lehigh University. Abbreviation: LU_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: SC S 818.4 W615L 1855 [2] Notes: Back free endpaper pencil transcription of page 53, line 3, "wicked". Bookseller's notes, Robert Honeyman notes. Pen annotation: "Hale N.Y." Stamp in gutter p. [iii]: "Lehigh 20 je 60".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Lehigh University Libraries, Lehigh University. Abbreviation: LU_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: SC S 818.4 W615L 1855a [3] Notes: Bookseller's label on front pastedown: "Fowler & Wells". Pencil notation on free verso: "wam". Stamp on p. [iii] in gutter: "Lehigh 20 je 60".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Middlebury College Library, Middlebury College. Abbreviation: MC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: (Whitman, W.) Locked Collection
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Middlebury College Library, Middlebury College. Abbreviation: MC_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: (Whitman, W.) Locked Collection Notes: Bookseller's notes. "Pasted onto front flyleaf: 289. WHITMAN, Walt. Leaves of Grass. 4to cloth. Brooklyn, 1855. $400.00. First edition, first issue. The title-page and backstrip have been very skillfully repaired, and some leaves have been washed; in spite of this minor restoration, a good copy."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Michigan State University Libraries, Michigan State University. Abbreviation: MSU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: XX folio PS3201 1855a Notes: Bookplate of Clifton Waller Barrett. Handwritten note in pencil on front flyleaves notes "new endpapers." These endpapers are yellowish brown with green floral designs. The outer leaves are pasted down to the front and back covers.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Books and Special Collections, Northern Illinois University Libraries, Northern Illinois University. Abbreviation: NIU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: Whitman Collection PS 3201 1855a Notes: Bookplate "Ex Libris Thornhurst".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Books and Special Collections, Northern Illinois University Libraries, Northern Illinois University. Abbreviation: NIU_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Whitman Collection PS 3201 1855
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). National Library of Scotland. Abbreviation: NLS_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Shelfmark: H.S. 616 Notes: Verso front endpaper bears inscription from author, "[?] Clark, from the author Walt Whitman". Inserted sheet at front with MS text of introduction from Leaves of Grass: The Poems of Walt Whitman, Selected, with Introduction by Ernest Rhys (1886). This copy contains printed reviews cut out from newspapers and loosely inserted at the very front of the book.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Newberry Library. Abbreviation: NL_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: VAULT Ruggles 369
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Niedersachsische Staats und Universitatsbibliothek Gottingen. Abbreviation: NSUG_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: 4 P VAR NAT 5262 RARA Notes: Purchased by library from antiquarian book seller in 1975.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Lyman Beecher Brooks Library, Norfolk State University. Abbreviation: NSU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 .W45 1855
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). McCormick Library of Special Collections, Northwestern University Library, Northwestern University. Abbreviation: NU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: L Whitman Le 1855 Notes: Frontispiece embossing is noted as blind plate mark. Broken fragment of "u" in "you" on page 56.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). New York Historical Society. Abbreviation: NYHS_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Call Number: Main Collection Y-q 1855 .Whit Notes: Bookplate Oscar Lion. Sticker: T. H. Pease, Bookseller. Note on flyleaf: "June 20 1952 / To Ruth / from her father / Oscar Lion".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library. Abbreviation: NYPL_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: *KLW+ (Whitman, W. Leaves of grass. 1855) Copy 3 Notes: Front bookplate of Oscar Lion; Oscar Lion Collection. Also front endpaper bookplate of H. Buxton Forman.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library. Abbreviation: NYPL_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: *KLW+ (Whitman, W. Leaves of grass. 1855) Copy 4 Notes: Walt Whitman's copy. Inscriptions of Whitman and Horace Traubel. Enclosed in a leather case signed by Traubel and dated 1896. Pink paper wrappers. Multiple MS notebooks pasted/pinned to front/rear endpapers with drafts for various introductions. Oscar Lion Collection.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library. Abbreviation: NYPL_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Call Number: *KLW+ (Whitman, W. Leaves of grass. 1855) Copy 2 Notes: Front endpaper bookplate of Oscar Lion; Oscar Lion Collection. Title page inscription in Horace Traubel's hand: "Horace L Traubel / 1892". Two letters written by Mrs. George G. Kimball and addressed to Traubel are laid in. Presented to Dr. Jason R. Orton by Whitman. Given to Traubel by Mrs. Kimball, Orton's daughter. Subsequently acquired by Oscar Lion. In one of the letters, dated March 30, 1892, Mrs. Kimball writes: "I see by the Washington Post that the first edition of "Leaves of Grass" was published in 1855 . . . I have a copy published in that year. Mr. Whitman presented it to my father, the late Dr. Jason R. Orton of Brooklyn N. Y. I believe Mr. Whitman was in his printing Dept. at one time when he published the Binghampton Courier in N.Y. State."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library. Abbreviation: NYPL_04 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: *KL (Whitman, W. Leaves of grass. 1855) Copy 1 Notes: Newspaper clipping with transcription of R. W. Emerson letter pasted in on verso of front free endpaper. Alongside is a penciled annotation: "See notices Saturday Review & Examiner / London March 1856". November 13, 1856 New-York Daily Times review laid in.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Berg Collection, The New York Public Library. Abbreviation: NYPL_06 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Notes: Letter from Whitman to William Torrey Harris of October 27, 1879, pasted to front endpaper. Photograph of Whitman attached to blank page facing title page; recto of this leaf has frontispiece engraving printed on thin paper, pasted into embossed frame (frontispiece does not face title page).
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Berg Collection, The New York Public Library. Abbreviation: NYPL_07 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Notes: Two newspaper clippings inserted in front of vol: one titled "Walt Whitman's Birthday" and dated "May 31/89" in an unidentified hand; another labeled "Hartford Courant Feb. 12, 1890" in an unidentified hand.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Berg Collection, The New York Public Library. Abbreviation: NYPL_08 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Some penciled markings throughout. Note pasted to front endpaper reads: "This copy of Leaves of Grass was purchased by Dr. William F. Channing of Mr. James T. Fields, at the 'Corner Book Store,' (Washington and Schools Sts.) Boston,—upon the recommendation of Mr. Emerson. It became the property of William D. O'Connor and was his till the time of his death. I hearby give it to Mr. Bliss Perry, with my kindest regards—Ellen M. Calder. June 24, 1906." Ted Genoways comments on this copy: "In reading some material related to WD O'Connor, I came across something to add to the entry on the William F. Channing copy of the 1855 in Berg. In a manuscript memoir at the LC (and published in Florence Bernstein Freedman's WILLIAM DOUGLAS O'CONNOR), Mary Jane (Jeannie) Tarr Channing (wife of William F.) writes: "I was spending the summer of 1855 with my friend Mrs. Paulina W. Davis. A letter from a Boston friend said, 'I met Mr. Emerson the other day and almost his first words were "Have you read the new poet?" I did not know of any new poet. He told me a man by the name of Whitman had sent him a most wonderful book. "Get it at once and read it" he said; "it is a revelation." He was so enthusiastic in their praise and [illegible] that I have got a copy; I think you and Mrs. Davis will be interested in it.' We were interested in trying to discover what had so profoundly impressed Mr. Emerson, but did not greatly care for it ourselves. This was the very copy of Walt Whitman's poems that Mr. William D. O'Connor first saw and read." So I went looking to try to figure out why Channing was living with Davis. It turns out that Channing had gone to Providence to help Davis plan the Sixth National Woman's Rights Convention. Presumably WF Channing bought the book at the Old Corner Bookstore at her request and sent it to Providence. The copy likely would have been given to O'Connor and Ellen M. Tarr (Channing's sister—Nelly O'Connor) on September 19 or 20 when both were in Boston from Philadelphia for the convention. Emerson delivered the closing remarks, and several other people we can confirm later read the book were also there. Notably, Martha Coffin Wright in 1856 writes to her husband that Davis's husband, Edward Morris Davis, thought the book was "full of new & beautiful thought." I think it's also worth mentioning that the convention in 1854 began on June 9—the day that Anthony Burns was arrested. This was why Higginson and the rest were all in Boston to participate in the assault on the courthouse where Burns was held. I just wonder if having the convention one year dissolve into an anti-slavery riot doesn't increase the chances that everyone the next year is discussing a new book that includes a poem condemning the Anthony Burns arrest. And the chances grow significantly when you consider that Emerson is on hand. Paulina Davis doesn't like LG, but her husband Morris does. Jeannie Tarr Channing doesn't like the book, but her sister does. And so on."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Berg Collection, The New York Public Library. Abbreviation: NYPL_09 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Some penciled markings throughout. Ex libris W. T. H. Howe. Newspaper clipping with Whitman's "A Riddle Song" tipped in on frontispiece recto. Tipped in on page 27 is newspaper clipping about "The King's Daughter," "a little story by a girl of eight, printed by her loving father, George Coolidge, of Boston."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Berg Collection, The New York Public Library. Abbreviation: NYPL_10 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Owen D. Young copy.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Berg Collection, The New York Public Library. Abbreviation: NYPL_11 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Bill of sale from Thomas J. Gannon, Inc. to Dr. Albert A. Berg dated December 24, 1932 lists volume price as $700.00. Holograph letter inserted at front of copy reads: "To S. L. Sit down at your desk, and take a steel pen, and dip it in the ink and tell who is Walter Whitman . . . . I tell you. Why should any one live in Brooklyn and go often to the ferry and wait for the boat on the pier and not know Walter Whitman. Write . . . I tell you. E. E. H."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Berg Collection, The New York Public Library. Abbreviation: NYPL_12 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Some penciled notations at front of volume. London label affixed to title page. Description of copy on Seven Gables Bookshop letterhead includes the note "Copy for Mrs. Szladits." Reviews proofs and printed R. W. Emerson letter removed and cataloged separately.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Books and Manuscripts Library of The Ohio State University Libraries, Ohio State University. Abbreviation: OSU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855B Notes: Dealer's note in pencil: "The rare + important 3rd issue Fly lacking". Owner's signature in brown ink, "B. Blood."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Beeghly Library, Ohio Wesleyan University. Abbreviation: OWU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Archives 811.3 W61 1855a or cop.1 Notes: Marginalia on page 95.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Beeghly Library, Ohio Wesleyan University. Abbreviation: OWU_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Oliver Wendell Holmes Library, Phillips Academy Andover. Abbreviation: PAA_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Sp Col 811 W59le 1855 Notes: The book was donated to the school as a part of the John A. Stevenson Walt Whitman Collection. It included copies of the second and third editions as well.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Providence Athenæum. Abbreviation: PA_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: QUARTO 811 W598L Notes: Purchased by the Athenæum from bookseller George Whitney, no. 3 Westminster St, Providence, RI. Invoice dated Oct. 29, 1855, lists purchase of Leaves of Grass, $1.25. The book has been rebound with dark green morocco spine and corners with green and black marble paper. Has gilt lettering on spine "Leaves of Grass" (no other lettering on binding). Binder's sticker inside back cover reads: "Akerman & Co. / Binders / Providence, R.I." The Athenæum's bindery book gives the date of the binding as Feb. 12, 1881 and the cost as $1.35. The title page has been unevenly cut at the bottom of the page and is about ½ an inch shorter than the rest of the text. Endpapers are yellow. Two fly leaves front and back. Portrait is printed on heavier paper which is whiter than the text. There is an additional copy of the same portrait pasted onto a guard sheet opposite the title page of the text, and which lies on top of the printed portrait page. In the top right hand corner of this portrait is Walt Whitman's signature and the year 1855 in blue ink. Some penciled markings throughout.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Glenn Schaeffer (19th Century Shop—for sale 2018). Abbreviation: PC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Notes: Signature of Thomas Bucher dated October 1855. First gathering reinserted, minor repairs at gutter. Half morocco case.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Personal Collection of Kenneth M. Price. Abbreviation: PC_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Spine cracked and text with occasional foxing, two large brown marks on the fly, and a small ink stain on p.vi–vii. Ex-bookseller (George W. Sutton, 14 Chambers St., New York) sticker on back pastedown. Front free endpaper to p. iv loose from binding. Otherwise in nice condition. Includes two letters from the bookseller Bernard M. Rosenthal to Sensui Shoji, who purchased the book from him in 1980, one stating that a previous owner of the book was Caroline Boeing Poole. Also includes two sketches by an unknown artist on loose paper (one portrait signed in pencil "E.M. Bates"). In quarter morocco case and with other Japanese ephemera relating to the book.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Whitmore Rare Books, Inc. (for sale 2018). Abbreviation: PC_04 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Notes: This copy has been recased. Internal contents show some smudges and wear, but the book is complete and in its original binding. Housed in a custom slipcase with chemise.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Phillip J. Pirages Rare Books (for sale 2018). Abbreviation: PC_05 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Notes: Original publisher's green cloth, covers with gilt frames, gilt titling, and decoration in blind, flat spine titled in gilt, marbled endpapers, the binding with extensive refurbishing and very skillful repairs (see below). Housed in a green quarter morocco box. Frontispiece portrait of the author, original tissue guard. Some variations in color to boards (because of refurbishing), the gilt with variable degrees of brightness (visible but rather dulled on the spine, a bit less than bright on the front cover, and with original luster on the back), but the expertly restored binding entirely solid and certainly agreeable enough. Laid in is a very thorough printed delineation of the repairs (which involved the partial incorporation of a backstrip from a later facsimile cover) performed on the book by Lyn R. Jacobs.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Quintessential Rare Books, LLC (for sale 2018). Abbreviation: PC_06 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Notes: Copy signed Walt Whitman on a laid in signature. No writing, marks or bookplates. Some binding repair. Housed in a custom clamshell slipcase for preservation.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Bauman Rare Books (for sale 2018). Abbreviation: PC_07 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering Notes: Housed in a custom cloth chemise and full morocco pull-off case. This copy was rebound sometime after 1880 by renowned bookbinder James MacDonald, born and trained in Scotland, who became one of the premier bookbinders in the United States, flourishing between 1880–1910. In this copy, the portrait has been trimmed to 3-1/4 by 5-1/2 inches and mounted onto heavy stock; this was possibly done at an early date, perhaps at the time of binding, as this leaf has since been remounted and rehinged.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Library of Robert O. Harris, Jr.. Abbreviation: PC_08 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Galley proofs of three reviews (Putnam's Monthly, The United States Review, The American Phrenological Journal) pasted in at front. Printed slip with transcription of R. W. Emerson letter pasted inside front cover on right side of marbled endpaper.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Personal Collection of Kendall Reed. Abbreviation: PC_09 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Notes: Ex Libris stamp: "Estelle Doheny". Inscribed: "John Burroughs, for His friend Dewitt Miller The Orchard New Rochelle N. York Sept 1901". Inscribed: "To Clara Barrus—from her friend & comrade John Burroughs July 4th, 1904".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Glenn Schaeffer (19th Century Shop). Abbreviation: PC_11 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Has an armorial book plate, which contains the provenance. The provenance is written in black letters—Samuel Bancroft Junr.—though the "Junr." is hard to decipher. At the bottom in Roman type is "Rockford / Near Wilmington, Delaware."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The 19th Century Rare Book & Photograph Shop. Abbreviation: PC_12 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Inscribed on the recto of the frontispiece: "Edmund G. Baker. / Oct. 1855." There is a note on the upper right corner of the back free endpaper that appears to read: "Cost $6." The rest of the cost is illegible. Laid in is a bill from the Boston booksellers A. Williams & Co. to Mr. B. E. Perry, July 6, 1877, for "Leaves of Grass $5.00." This copy went from Perry to his daughter Gertrude Perry Hamilton to her son Baxter Perry Hamilton, to his son Ralph Martin Hamilton, who sold it in 1985 to Robert Horsford. Later sold by him to James Cummins, then sold to William Reese in 2002. Purchased by the 19th Century Rare Book & Photograph Shop in 2022.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). James Cummins Bookseller. Abbreviation: PC_13 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Front pastedown with contemporary pencil gift inscription: "A.G. Montgomery Jnr from his friend A.S. Banks 23rd 1860" followed by note in same hand "Original Poem by A.S.B. / When this you see" and three further short lines (illegible).
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Richard Levy. Abbreviation: PC_14 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: It was compared to the Trent copy at Duke University in 1987. This copy is the equal of that except for one small tear. Richard Levy is the only owner outside the family that previously owned it.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Bauman Rare Books. Abbreviation: PC_15 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at back Notes: This particular copy is rebound in contemporary three-quarter red morocco with marbled boards and endpapers. The front cloth cover is bound in at rear, which is second state. Flyleaves and back cover gone.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Matthew Miller. Abbreviation: PC_16 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Early owner ink inscription, "M. S [?]. Brown" on top of title page. Early (neatly written) ink caption under frontispiece portrait "Walt Whitman." Purchased from Bauman Books. Bauman informed Miller that the book came from the collection of William and Roslyn Targ, the well-known bibliophiles and literary team.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). At auction: ex-Huguette Clark family collection, from the 2014 Christie's sale. Abbreviation: PC_17 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: London label affixed to title page. Reviews pasted to front endpaper, including printed slip with transcription of R. W. Emerson letter.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Bauman Rare Books. Abbreviation: PC_18 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Owner signature on title page: "Mrs. Brown".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). At auction: Bonham's, New York (September 21, 2016, lot. 1055). Abbreviation: PC_19 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Jonathan Skinne (ownership inscription dated May 1856 from Monteagle House); N. G. Benedict (gift inscription to); Mary Crake (bookplate). Sotheby's NY, Jun 4, 2013, lot 169.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Personal Collections (Various). Abbreviation: PC_20 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Notes: A series of 47 individual leaves from a copy of the 1855 Leaves of Grass were bound by Bennett Book Studios, Inc. in New York in 1930 and sold separately.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). At auction: Doyle, New York (September 30, 2020, lot 186). Abbreviation: PC_21 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: London label affixed to title page. Includes printed version of R. W. Emerson letter. In addition to the Emerson letter, this copy contains four printed reviews hand-pasted to the front pastedown and endpaper. They are: "An English and American Poet" from The American Phrenological Journal; "Walt Whitman and His Poems" from The United States Review; "Walt Whitman, a Brooklyn Boy" from The Brooklyn Daily Times; and "Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass" from Putnam's Monthly for September. Henry Reeve (1813-1895), editor of the Edinburgh Review, armorial bookplate at rear. George M. Williamson, noted Whitman correspondent and collector, sold in his sale Anderson Galleries, 30-31 January 1908, lot 1107. Sold Anderson Galleries, 29 & 30 April 1909, lot 421: "The Williamson copy, with printed slip affixed to title." Sir Herbert Leon, armorial bookplate at front, sold in his sale Sotheby's 21 July 1937, lot 773. The buyer is recorded as Maggs according to Rare Book Hub; Parke Bernet, 3 March 1938, lot 230 ("An exceedingly fine copy. The G.M. Williamson copy with the armorial bookplates of Herbert S. Leon and Henry Reeve.") This is likely the copy listed in Scribner's catalogue 116, item 374. The book was acquired via Scribner's in 1938 by collector Duncan Cranford, and the book has descended in his family. Cranford pencilled and signed a short note to the verso of the front free endpaper.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). At auction: Sotheby's (2022, lot 116). Abbreviation: PC_22 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Signed by Whitman below the frontispiece portrait. Worcester Academy acquired this copy in 1911, as part of a bequest by John Savary, class of 1852. Savary had served as an Assistant in the Library of Congress from 1871 until his retirement in 1897, thereafter devoting his retirement to scholarship and collecting. Ownership inscription to the front free endpaper reading "John Savary"; annotation in pencil reading, "Oct. 12 1887 | autograph | written". Annotations in pencil throughout the text, including commentary, clarifying terminology, and making minor corrections (e.g. correcting "abode" to "adobe").
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Whitmore Rare Books. Abbreviation: PC_23 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Bookplate of William Targ to front pastedown. Discreet stamp to lower corner of title page: "Bulkeley Norwich."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). At auction: Freeman's (8 June 2023, lot 64). Abbreviation: PC_24 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Includes bookplate of American collector Thomas Winthrop Streeter (loose), bookplates of Arthur Swann and Haven O'More (on front endpaper).
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). At auction: Christie's (15 June 2023, lot 141). Abbreviation: PC_25 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Notes: Includes bookplate of Howard Motley Hayes and stamp of Lenox Library, New York Public Library. Sale (of copy) Christie's New York, 14 December 2000, lot 148. Sold with printed Emerson letter with repaired holes at top and margin, bookplate (to chemise) Jerome Kern. No evidence described that the printed letter was attached to or associated with the copy. Sale (of letter) Anderson Galleries, 21-24 January 1929, lot 1438.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Pierpont Morgan Library. Abbreviation: PML_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PML 6069 Notes: Purchased with the Laurens Maynard collection. Presentation copy signed by Whitman to Samuel Hollyer. Two letters from Hollyer to Mr. Ford and a printed advertisement for Hollyer's gallery, previously laid in, now cataloged separately. Plate signed by Hollyer.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Pierpont Morgan Library. Abbreviation: PML_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PML 137717 Notes: Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Pierpont Morgan Library. Abbreviation: PML_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PML 76773 Notes: Gift of Mrs. Charles W. Engelhard, 1980. London label affixed to title page. Ownership inscription "Hodgson[?]" on front free endpaper dated 1855. Bookplates of Alfred M. Kahn, E. Hubert Lichfield (armorial), and E.H.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Pierpont Morgan Library. Abbreviation: PML_04 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at back Call Number: PML 6068 Notes: Purchased with the Theodore Irwin collection, 1900. Includes printed slip with transcription of R. W. Emerson letter.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Pennsylvania State University Libraries. Abbreviation: PSU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: Vault PS3201 1855 Notes: Dealer's handwritten note on flyleaf: $400. 3rd issue, the first to contain the press notice. Ex libris copy: Bookplate of Frank Maier, "American Authors," depicting a globe and an open book containing the names Poe, Irving, Lowell, Whitman, Holmes, and Bryant. On front endpaper is pasted a printed entry from a dealer's catalog: 451. WHITMAN (WALT). Leaves of Grass. First Edition. Portrait (in first state) on India paper. Royal 8vo. Original figured and gilt cloth, uncut. Brooklyn, N.Y., 1855. Contains the four pages of Press Notices. With the exception of a small tear on the inner margin of title, a FINE COPY OF THIS RARE VOLUME. Laid in is an article from "The Conservator," April, 1892, "At the Graveside of Walt Whitman," by John Burroughs, R. G. Ingersoll, etc. [This article is no longer laid into the book.]
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Princeton University Library, Princeton University. Abbreviation: PU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Behrman American #226q Notes: Howard T. Behrman collection. Bookplate: "Ex Libris Frank Fletcher."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Princeton University Library, Princeton University. Abbreviation: PU_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: RHT American-324 Notes: Insertions: single-page galley proof of extracts from reviews and advertisements; R. W. Emerson letter, unmarked and dated in this printed version, "Concord, Mass'tts, 21 July, 1855." Bookplate on front endpaper: Robert H Taylor. Some markings in blue and gray pencil throughout.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Princeton University Library, Princeton University. Abbreviation: PU_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: EX 3988.1.35.19q Notes: Presented by Mrs. George Boker. Insertions: reprinted photographs of Whitman during the Civil War, Camden house; partial blue wrapper from 1855 edition.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Fintel Library, Roanoke College. Abbreviation: RC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Archives Special Coll. PS3201 1855 Notes: Provenance information written in pencil on front cover: "William J. Campbell (1926)", "(Whitman Walter)" and "C H[or N]ering" written in ink on title page, stamps in front and back from Library of German Society, Philadelphia.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Binghamton University Libraries, Binghamton University (State University of New York). Abbreviation: SUNYBi_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855a Notes: There is a photograph from a newspaper pasted down on the front endpaper. On the front flyleaf written in pencil and in cursive "C. Mossman McLean Collection". Includes printed slip with transcription of R. W. Emerson letter.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Poetry Collection of the University Libraries, State University of New York at Buffalo. Abbreviation: SUNYBu_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 Notes: Bookplate: "Ex Libris Thomas B. Lockwood". Note on inside page of marbled endpaper reads: "950- 1st issue of 1st ed. With all 'prints'".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Stanford University Libraries, Stanford University. Abbreviation: SU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3215 1855X1 F CB Notes: Bookplate from Newton Hall, Cambridge on front pasted-down endpaper. Inscriptions on front free endpaper: "Anson G.P. Segur Feb 13th 1856", "Bought by A.C. Smith".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Cushing Memorial Library and Archives, Texas A & M University. Abbreviation: TAMU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 Notes: The embossed frame is faintly visible and obvious to the touch on the left side of the page (nearest the fore-edge). The other three sides of the frame are not visible and can only be detected by touch along the top and bottom near the left corners.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Mary Couts Burnett Library, Texas Christian University. Abbreviation: TCU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Lewis PS3201 1855 Notes: Owner's signature on title page: "George Wood[?]". Inscription on title page: "This book was set up by W.W. at a printing office in Brooklyn, with his own hands." Review from the Sunday Morning Chronicle, Washington, November 10, 1867, by Robert Buchanan, pasted in on back free endpaper. Purchased from Michael Papantonio by William Luther Lewis, July 1940.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections Centre, Toronto Reference Library, Toronto Public Library. Abbreviation: TPL_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: 811.38 02 Notes: Bookplate Toronto Public Library dated in ms: Oct. 18, 1897.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Texas Tech University. Abbreviation: TTU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: Rare Books SPLOVERSZ PS3201 1855 Notes: Some words and lines inked over.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Paley Library, Temple University Libraries, Temple University. Abbreviation: TU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 Notes: Frontispiece noted as the plate impression, rather than as "embossing." Newspaper clipping with transcription of R. W. Emerson letter pasted in on lower right corner of front pasted-down endpaper.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Bancroft Library at the University of California at Berkeley. Abbreviation: UCB_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 Copy 1 Notes: Page iv the "nd" in "and" is smudged. Inscription on free endpaper: "A New Year Present To J. William from WmB 1st of 1st Mon 1857 W.W.N.R.F."
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Bancroft Library at the University of California at Berkeley. Abbreviation: UCB_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Call Number: PS3201 1855 Copy 2 Notes: Ownership signature on verso of frontispiece of [Rev.] Jas. F. Clarke, a Unitarian clergyman; later pencil signature above of W. A. White "abt Dec 85" opposite "Leon $13.50" in pencil. Ticket of Fowlers, Wells, & Co., phrenologists & publishers, Boston, inside front cover. In old green morocco solander case in two parts.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). UCLA Special Collections Library, UCLA (University of California Los Angeles). Abbreviation: UCLA_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Safe PS3201 1855 Notes: In pencil on title page: "H. S. Cornwell" (probably the poet and lyricist Henry Sylvester Cornwell, 1831–1886). Bookplate of Viscount Birkenhead (Frederick Edwin Smith, 1872–1930, the 1st Viscount Birkenhead and Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain in 1922–24) on protection cover. Another bookplate of the noted book collector Frank Brewer Bemis on pastedown. Gift, Robert Sisk (Hollywood film producer), 1958. The embossed frame is very light and is easier to feel than see. The "p" of "grip" fades in the middle and it is impossible to tell if punctuation (i.e. ";") follows. Information from dealer James F. Drake, Inc. inserted into copy.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Abbreviation: UCLA_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Safe PS3201 1855
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections, McHenry Library, University of California at Santa Cruz. Abbreviation: UCSC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 Notes: Bookplate of Edmund Williams Gosse on front endpaper. Bookplate of Justin G. Turner on front flyleaf. Gift of Newton Taylor.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections Research Center, Regenstein Library, University of Chicago. Abbreviation: UC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: Alc PS3201 1855 copy 2 Notes: University of Chicago Libraries bookplate: "Gift of Dorothy and Graham Aldis"; verso of front flyleaf in pencil: "Gift of Graham Aldis"; front endpaper signed in ink: "Richard Bradley".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections Research Center, Regenstein Library, University of Chicago. Abbreviation: UC_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: Alc PS3201 1855 copy 1 Notes: University of Chicago Libraries bookplate: "The William Vaughn Moody Collection Presented by Mrs. Edward Morris"; University of Chicago Libraries perforation stamp.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). University of Delaware Library, University of Delaware. Abbreviation: UD_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: folio PS 3201 1855 Notes: Bookplate "Francis Wilson". MS facsimile pasted in of poem "To those who've fail'd." Recto of frontispiece: "Mary C. Balch, Febr 6 1857", "Mrs. M.C. Morrison, no. 5 Bond St.", "Francis Wilson 1893", "Laurence Shubert[?]". Pasted in on free front endpaper a review of three books about Whitman (hand dated May 29 1897), by John Burroughs, Thomas Donaldson, and W. S. Kennedy.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). University of Delaware Library, University of Delaware. Abbreviation: UD_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: folio PS 3201 1855
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections, University of Hawaii at Manoa Library, University of Hawaii. Abbreviation: UH_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 Notes: Copy in poor condition with missing spine and loose front and back boards and showing insect damage. Copyright page has pasted-in newspaper column stating, "the following opinion, from a distinguished source, views the matter from a more positive and less critical stand-point[sic]" with R. W. Emerson letter following. Dealer notes on front endpapers. Bookplate Clare Booth Luce.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). University of Iowa Libraries, University of Iowa. Abbreviation: UI_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: FOLIO PS3201 1855 Notes: Newspaper clipping, "A Death Sonnet for Custer," pasted to front endpaper. Autograph letter from H. K. Brown to Dr. S. Weir Mitchell dated June 5, 1878 tipped in. Tribune clipping with transcription of R. W. Emerson letter pasted onto front free endpaper and dated Oct 10 1855[?] in Whitman's hand. Frontispiece recto inscriptions: bookseller's notes; in pencil, "Yogee—e"; in pen, "Dr. Weir S. Mitchell compliments of H. K. Brown"; in pen (probably Mitchell's hand), "Given to my son Langdon March 1887".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). University of Iowa Libraries, University of Iowa. Abbreviation: UI_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Tipped in opposite title page, between the frontispiece and the tissue, is a printing of a frontispiece on heavy white card stock (6 1/2 by 10 inches) signed in blue pencil by Whitman as follows: "Walt Whitman in 1855". There are no other markings.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). University of Kentucky Special Collections, University of Kentucky. Abbreviation: UKy_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Rare Books PS3201 1855 Notes: Tipped-in note or label written by Walt Whitman that reads: "Ferguson / printer / proofs from W Whitman / 328 Mickle Street / Camden / 15 North 7th St / Philadelphia". The note is dated June 14, '88, in another hand. Copy donated in 1963 by Mr. Charles E. Feinberg as the one million and first volume of the University of Kentucky's Library.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The John Rylands University Library, The University of Manchester. Abbreviation: UM_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: Special Collections R101050 Notes: Copy rebound in half leather with gold tooled decoration. Inscription on recto of front flyleaf: "S.R. Duren, Jr." Copy bequeathed to library by Charles F. Sixsmith of Adlington and accessioned March 1954.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections Library, University of Michigan. Abbreviation: UMi_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: 828 W6L Notes: Holograph inscription on fourth front flyleaf: "F.B. Sanborn / Nov 9th 1855 / This book Mr Emerson received from the author, and I from Mr Emerson." On the third front flyleaf printed review "From the Brooklyn Daily Times" tipped in with holograph note by F. B. Sanborn [i.e. Franklin Benjamin Sanborn], "Written by him self I doubt not".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections and Rare Books, Wilson Library, University of Minnesota. Abbreviation: UMn_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Rare Books Quarto 81W59 OL Notes: Tipped-in note traces provenance from Whitman to Arthur Stedman, editor of his autobiography, to London bookseller Frank T. Sabin, to O. A. Anderson of Minneapolis. Gift of A. J. Russell. Accompanied by correspondence and clippings regarding the first edition of Leaves of Grass.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Wilson Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Abbreviation: UNCCH_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855a Notes: Bookplate: "F.A. Hilliard". UNC Library bookplate: "Presented by the William A. Whitaker Foundation". Owner signature on first front flyleaf (recto): "F.A. Hilliard". Insertion that looks like proof spine printing from later edition(?): "Leaves of Grass 1855 Whitman". Penciled copies of selected lines and corresponding pages on back flyleaf.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Wilson Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Abbreviation: UNCCH_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS3201 1855b Notes: Bookplate: "Richard G. Coker". UNC Library bookplate: "Presented by Richard Gay Coker U.N.C. Class of 1921". Owner signature on first front flyleaf (recto): "Edward Gay. / 1858(?)". Original page length prose manuscript tipped in on heavy sheet of paper beginning with: "Coming to discuss the questions of Literature of a country". Spine has been reinforced and new cloth added.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Atkins Library, UNC Charlotte (University of North Carolina, Charlotte). Abbreviation: UNCC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 shelf 277.2 [9fl] Notes: Signature on title page "Furness" has some features common to signature of Horace Howard Furness, Sr. (1833–1912). (See National Cyclopedia of American Biography, VIII, facing p. 397.)
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries. Abbreviation: UNL_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 Notes: Rebound, with new endpapers and marbling added to edges. Pasted in on the lower left side of one of the front pages is a newspaper catalog clipping that reads: "a first edition of Walt Whitman's 'Leaves of Grass' for $3,400. This last copy was once owned by P. T. Palgrave, who presented it to Frederick Locker." Handwritten in pencil above this clipping is "Kern sale." Also, at the top of the page, in the upper right hand corner, written in pencil is the notation: "#3224D" or "#3004D." NOTE: The provenance information provided by this clipping may not pertain to this copy mainly because there is no clear evidence, while another copy with the same provenance is full of such evidence. The Nebraska copy is not inscribed by Palgrave or Locker. There is a bookplate bearing the initials "FT," from which writing in ink has been scraped off, which could be significant. But the Johns Hopkins copy, which has the same biography as the one given for the Nebraska copy, is full of inscriptions that prove its past ownership. Palgrave inscribed the Hopkins copy upon his purchase of the book in 1857, and then again when he gave it to Locker. The bookplate and address of Frederick Locker are pasted into the Hopkins copy. Palgrave's bookplate is not pasted into the Hopkins copy, so there is no image for comparison with the Nebraska copy. The lack of markings in the Nebraska copy as well as the presence of a bookplate that is absent in the thoroughly inscribed Hopkins copy, not to mention the mistaking of "P.T." for "F.T.", make the Nebraska copy's supposed ownership dubious.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania. Abbreviation: UP_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: 811W 1855.2 Notes: Inscription of owner's name on front flyleaf and also written on random pages throughout the book. Name is illegible—E. B. Richmond?
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania. Abbreviation: UP_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Rare Book Collection. 811W 1855.2 Notes: Inscription with the name Jos. S. Lovering, Jr.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania. Abbreviation: UP_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Rhode Island. Abbreviation: URI_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 Notes: Embossing on frontispiece is slight only on hinge side. Bookplate: "Library of / St. Charles College / Cantonsville, MD. / [blank] / Class 811 / Book W59".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Boatwright Memorial Library, University of Richmond. Abbreviation: UR_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Rare PS3201 1855 Notes: Rebound in brown Moroccan leather with gold engraved green leather inside (19th century custom binding); pasted etching of W.W. with pencil autograph; signed white business card with John Whitten on it.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Joel Myerson Collection of Nineteenth-Century American Literature, Thomas Cooper Library, University of South Carolina. Abbreviation: USC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 Notes: Inscribed "Walter Starbuck 1867". Inscribed to Mrs Francis D. Laney by Mrs J. W. Dast [? or Dart], 31 May 1919.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Thomas Cooper Library, University of South Carolina. Abbreviation: USC_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 Notes: Copy belonging to Tom Rome with COA by descendant. The library's 2,000,000 volume.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin. Abbreviation: UTA_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 c. 1 Notes: Page 32 "p" incomplete and no ";". Ex Libris T. E. Hanley; ex libris Herschel V. Jones; ex libris Ida O. Folsom.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin. Abbreviation: UTA_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 c. 2 Notes: Ex libris DeGolyer. Penciled note about provenance on p. iii. Penciled correction of "Off" on p. 84.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin. Abbreviation: UTA_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 c. 3 Notes: Inscribed: "Walt Whitman August 3 1884". Ex libris T. E. Hanley; ex libris Robert J. Hamershlag.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin. Abbreviation: UTA_04 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 c. 4 Notes: With supplied printed dust jacket. Inscribed: "H.C.S." Ex libris T. E. Hanley. Penciled correction next to "abode" on p. 23.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin. Abbreviation: UTA_05 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 c. 5
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin. Abbreviation: UTA_06 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS 3201 1855 c. 6 Notes: Ex libris DeGoyler; ex libris Oliver Belmont. Newspaper clippings tipped in at front and back of vol. Penciled note about provenance p. iii, single marking of poetry stanza p. 93 ("Great is liberty..."). Penciled note next to "abode" on p. 23.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin. Abbreviation: UTA_07 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: PS 3201 1855 c. 7 Notes: Author's ALS presentation to [Charles F. Blanch], June 4, 1869, on letterhead of the Attorney General's Office, Washington (tipped-in). Ex libris T. E. Hanley; ex libris Elisha Whipple McGuire. Handwritten contents list with pages from both 1855 and 1867 editions, other clippings included in vol. Light penciled annotations on p. xii and throughout. Titles penciled in, then erased, before some poems. Titles match those of inserted handwritten contents table (different from WW's eventual titles).
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Tracy W. McGregor Library, American History Collection, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia. Abbreviation: UVa_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: X030068199: A 1855.W34 L4 copy 1 McGregor Notes: Bookplate Tracy W. McGregor. Penciled markings on back of p. 95 and back flyleaf: "gabriel Wells. Dec. 10, 1985 gog-ix | Terry Sale" and "Fine copy of the rare first Edition, first issue".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Clifton Waller Barrett Library of American Literature, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia. Abbreviation: UVa_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: X030185240: PS 3201 1855 copy 2 Barrett Notes: Inscribed "D. Redmond" p. iii. Back flyleaves have pasted-in clipped article, "Walt. Whitman. / Death of the American Swinburne - / His Writings." with marginal comment inscribed "Whitman is not yet dead - / This was all a mistake". (See "Lively Corpse" article). Various marginal markings.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Clifton Waller Barrett Library of American Literature, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia. Abbreviation: UVa_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: X030185241: PS 3201 1855 c. 5 Barrett Notes: Tipped-in letter from Harlan re. Whitman's 1865 firing. Inscription: "Dewitt Miller / Forest Glen / Maryland". Tissue paper covering frontispiece is full-size. Pasted in at back: article "Aid for Walt Whitman" re: West Jersey Press affair; article about WW at Poe monument dedication; auction notice of Whitman's editions.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Clifton Waller Barrett Library of American Literature, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia. Abbreviation: UVa_04 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: X030185243: PS 3201 1855 copy 3 Barrett Notes: Written in volume: "Presented to me by the / Author / Lyons Farms NJ June 1857 / Wm Grumman".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Tracy W. McGregor Library, American History Collection, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia. Abbreviation: UVa_05 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: X030068200: A 1855.W34 L4 Copy 2 McGregor Notes: Inscribed "Edwin T. Norton / Greenbush N.York / March 25. 1865". Bookplate Willis Vickery. Bookplate Tracy W. McGregor. Marginalia p. 34. Handwritten table of contents in Norton's hand, titles based on 1856, pasted down; tucked behind it is a folded piece of paper with ToC of "State Library Copy" of the 1856, in Norton's hand. In back endpaper, note "Gabriel Wells, March 1933. wtg". Page 56 2nd "me" in "Failing to fetch me" is scratched out.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Clifton Waller Barrett Library of American Literature, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia. Abbreviation: UVa_06 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: X030185244: PS 3201 1855 c. 6 Barrett Notes: Inscribed: "Albert B. Otis / The Gift of Harry W. Mitchell[?]." and "First Edition / very rare." Fern leaf inserted after front endpapers; fragments of fern leaf between 40–41, 42–43, 58–59, 92–93 [perhaps also a pine needle or a seed?]; three fern fragments inserted at 86–87.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Clifton Waller Barrett Library of American Literature, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia. Abbreviation: UVa_07 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: X030185245: PS 3201 1855 copy 8 Barrett Notes: In boards, with green wrapper pasted on. Conservator Sue Donovan notes that the frontispiece is a "chine colle" print, with a much heavier platemark than observed in the other Virginia copies.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Clifton Waller Barrett Library of American Literature, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia. Abbreviation: UVa_08 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: X030185248: PS 3201 1855 copy 7 Notes: Bookplate Clifton Waller Barrett. Penciled note on front flyleaf "1st edition | third issue".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Clifton Waller Barrett Library of American Literature, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia. Abbreviation: UVa_09 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: X030185242: PS 3201 1855 Copy 4 Notes: The embossing on the frontispiece is noted as light. Inscription: "Charles S. Keyser 524 Walnut St." Signed "Walt Whitman Feb: 12 1882". Marginalia throughout. Pasted on p. 19, newspaper article titled "Bathing in River Stopped Running of Mr. Ball's Mill." Includes printed slip with transcription of R. W. Emerson letter. Reviews proof including Putnam's Monthly extract beginning "From Putnam's Monthly..." laid in at front. Pasted-in newspaper article "This is what Oscar Wilde told a Cincinnati Reporter..." about meeting Whitman in Camden.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Clifton Waller Barrett Library of American Literature, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia. Abbreviation: UVa_10 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: X030074061: PS 3201 1855 Copy 1 Notes: Page 56 period could be described as present, but "crashed". Inscriptions: "R.W. Griswold, from the author" and "[owner] Astoria N.Y." Pasted-in letter from Whitman to Henry Clapp, Jr., dated June 12 [1860]. Pasted-in note about 1860 Leaves of Grass titled "Muscular Poetry." Pasted-in July 7, 1860 Saturday Review, with review of Leaves of Grass.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Department of Special Collections, General Libraries, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Abbreviation: UWM_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: Vault CA 8263 Notes: Bookplate University of Wisconsin-Madison Library The Gift of Edith Nash. The spine is missing on this copy.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Schaffer Library, Union College. Abbreviation: UnC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS 3201 1855 Notes: Page 32 "p" in "grip" is incomplete. Several bookseller's notes; faded signature on p.[iii]; erased ownership notes on recto of frontispiece and copyright page.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). National Art Library, Victoria & Albert Museum. Abbreviation: VAM_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Pressmark Forster L 4to 9460 Notes: London label affixed to title page. Printed slip with R. W. Emerson letter pasted in on recto of upper marbled flyleaf. John Forster (1812–1876), previous owner; Forster's marginalia throughout.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Chapin Library, Williams College. Abbreviation: WC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Whitman Coll. A2.1.a1 copy 1 Notes: Bookplate of Julian K. Sprague. Copy of "Bardic Symbols" removed from Atlantic Monthly (1860) and tipped in.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Chapin Library, Williams College. Abbreviation: WC_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at back Call Number: Whitman Coll. A2.1.a1 copy 2 Notes: Rebacked volume with new label and edges dyed red. Printed slip with R. W. Emerson letter (21 July, 1855) pasted on page 1 of insert. Bookplate Julian K. Sprague.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Chapin Library, Williams College. Abbreviation: WC_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at back Call Number: Whitman Coll. A2.1.a1 copy 3 Notes: Bookplate of Julian K. Sprague.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Chapin Library, Williams College. Abbreviation: WC_04 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Whitman Coll. A2.1.a1 copy 4 Notes: Bookplate of Julian K. Sprague.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Chapin Library, Williams College. Abbreviation: WC_05 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Whitman Coll. A2.1.a1 copy 5 (London) Notes: London label affixed to title page.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Z. Smith Reynolds Library, Wake Forest University. Abbreviation: WFU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 c.1 Notes: Some marking in pencil throughout. Note written on p. [iii]: "11/23/54 Bernard Quaritch Ltd. $703.01 Oscar T. Smith fund." Notes written on flyleaf: "Richard Inwards / 6 Croftdown Rd / London N.W.6." and "£250." Inserted autographed note by Whitman: "Walt Whitman visiting New York City after an absence of over four years—guest now of Mr & Mrs J H Johnston at 113 East 10th street, March 15th 1877—". In another hand, on the back of this note, is written: "Oh! how my conscience pricks, its really wasting me to nothing but bones. / Your fellow companion in Algebra / Marion D. Beach, / Dover, / N.J. / March 4th 1880".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Z. Smith Reynolds Library, Wake Forest University. Abbreviation: WFU_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: PS3201 1855 c.2 Notes: Bookplate on front pastedown: "Ex libris Charles H. Babcock".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Olin Library, Washington University in St. Louis. Abbreviation: WUSL_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: Rare PS3201 1855b 4o Notes: Bookplate Cortlandt F. Bishop; bookplate George M. Meisner Collection.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Special Collections & Archives, Olin Library, Wesleyan University. Abbreviation: WU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Davison Rare Book Room M5 Notes: Embossed frame on frontispiece is noted as very faint. Bookplate George W. Davison.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Walt Whitman House, Camden, New Jersey. Abbreviation: WWH_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Notes: Inscription in Whitman's hand on front flyleaf: "From Walt Whitman".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Walt Whitman House, Camden, New Jersey. Abbreviation: WWH_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Notes: On inner cover in pencil and title page in ink: "Ellwood Harvey Philadelphia 1855". Penciled marginalia throughout. Penciled under engraving: "Walt Whitman born May 31".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). Wellesley College Library Special Collections, Wellesley College. Abbreviation: WeC_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: Spec. Coll. English Poets q x Notes: Two photographs by Cox of Whitman have been removed from the volume.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University Library, Yale University. Abbreviation: YU_01 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: BEIN Za W596 +855c Copy 1 Notes: Rebound, original in binding A. Page 32 "p" incomplete and ";" not present. Extra-illustrated with two portraits bound in front, back. Bookplate and ex libris stamps of William Inglis Morse. Magazine clipping affixed to verso of front free endpaper with annotation and autograph of William Inglis Morse. Binder's stamp: J. MacDonald, binder, N.Y.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University Library, Yale University. Abbreviation: YU_02 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: BEIN Za W596 +855c Copy 2 Notes: London label affixed to title page: London, William Horsell, 492 Oxford Street. Ms. notes, dated 1905, by W.M.R. [William Michael Rossetti]. On title page inscribed: "W.M. Rossetti from W.B.S. [W.B. Scott], Xmas 1856".
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University Library, Yale University. Abbreviation: YU_03 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: BEIN Za W596 +855c Copy 3 Notes: Embossing on frontispiece is very light. Bookplate Yale University Library Gift of Jean White Van Sinderen in memory of her husband, Adrian Van Sinderen Yale 1910.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University Library, Yale University. Abbreviation: YU_04 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: BEIN Za W596 +855d Notes: Canary-yellow endpapers. Bookplate of Owen Franklin Aldis to the Yale University Library 1911. Bookplate Ex Libris Aldis.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University Library, Yale University. Abbreviation: YU_05 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: Inserted gathering at front Call Number: BEIN Za W596 +855e Notes: Cream-colored endpapers. Inscription "A.[?] Odell". Bookplate Ex Libris Edwin B. Holden.
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, New York (1855). The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University Library, Yale University. Abbreviation: YU_06 Binding: Frontispiece: Copyright: Reviews: No bound-in insert Call Number: BEIN Za W596 +855 Notes: Salmon-colored paper wrappers. Page 32 "p" is incomplete and ";" is not present. At top of [p.iii] in pencil W. Whitman.
Back to top