Publication history and origin Leaves of Grass

1 publication history , origin

1.1 initial publication
1.2 republications
1.3 deathbed edition

publication history , origin
initial publication

leaves of grass has genesis in essay called poet ralph waldo emerson, published in 1844, expressed need united states have own new , unique poet write new country s virtues , vices. whitman, reading essay, consciously set out answer emerson s call began working on first edition of leaves of grass. whitman, however, downplayed emerson s influence, stating, simmering, simmering, simmering; emerson brought me boil .

on may 15, 1855, whitman registered title leaves of grass clerk of united states district court, southern district of new jersey, , received copyright. first edition published on july 4, 1855, in brooklyn, @ printing shop of 2 scottish immigrants, james , andrew rome, whom whitman had known since 1840s. shop located @ fulton street (now cadman plaza west) , cranberry street, site of apartment buildings bear whitman s name. whitman paid , did of typesetting first edition himself. book did not include author s name, , instead offered engraving samuel hollyer depicting whitman in work clothes , jaunty hat, arms @ side. advertisements first edition appealed lovers of literary curiosities oddity. sales on book few, whitman not discouraged.

the first edition small, collecting twelve unnamed poems in 95 pages. whitman once said intended book small enough carried in pocket. tend induce people take me along them , read me in open air: successful reader in open air , explained. 800 printed, though 200 bound in trademark green cloth cover. american library known have purchased copy of first edition in philadelphia. poems of first edition, given titles in later issues, song of myself , song occupations , think of time , sleepers , sing body electric , faces , song of answerer , europe: 72d , 73d years of these states , boston ballad , there child went forth , learns lesson complete? , , great myths .

the title leaves of grass pun. grass term given publishers works of minor value, , leaves name pages on printed.

whitman sent copy of first edition of leaves of grass emerson, had inspired creation. in letter whitman, emerson wrote, find extraordinary piece of wit , wisdom america has yet contributed. went on, happy in reading it, great power makes happy.

republications

frontispiece of 1883 edition of leaves of grass.

there have been held either 6 or 9 editions of leaves of grass, count depending on how distinguished. scholars hold edition entirely new set of type count 1855, 1856, 1860, 1867, 1871–72, , 1881 printings. others add in 1876, 1888–89, , 1891–92 (the deathbed edition ) releases.

it emerson s positive response first edition inspired whitman produce much-expanded second edition in 1856, 384 pages cover price of dollar. edition included phrase emerson s letter, printed in gold leaf: greet @ beginning of great career. emerson later took offense letter made public , became more critical of work.

the publishers of 1860 edition, thayer , eldridge, declared bankruptcy shortly after publication , unable pay whitman. in regard money matters , wrote, short ourselves , quite impossible send sum . whitman received $250, , original plates made way boston publisher horace wentworth. when 456-page book issued, whitman said, quite odd , of course , referring appearance: bound in orange cloth symbols rising sun 9 spokes of light , butterfly perched on hand. whitman claimed butterfly real in order foster image being 1 nature . in fact, butterfly made of cloth , attached finger wire.

the 1867 edition intended be, according whitman, new & better edition of leaves of grass complete — unkillable work! assumed final edition. edition, included drum-taps section, sequel, , new songs before parting, delayed when binder went bankrupt , distributing firm failed. when printed, simple edition , first omit picture of poet.

in 1879, richard worthington purchased electrotype plates , began printing , marketing unauthorized copies.

the eighth edition of 1889 little changed 1881 version, although more embellished , featured several portraits of whitman. biggest change addition of annex of miscellaneous additional poems.

deathbed edition

as 1891 came close, whitman prepared final edition of leaves of grass, writing friend upon completion, l. of g. @ last complete — after 33 y rs of hackling @ it, times & moods of life, fair weather & foul, parts of land, , peace & war, young & old . last version of leaves of grass published in 1892 , referred deathbed edition . in january 1892, 2 months before whitman s death, announcement published in new york herald:

walt whitman wishes respectfully notify public book leaves of grass, has been working on @ great intervals , partially issued past thirty-five or forty years, completed, call it, , new 1892 edition absolutely supersede previous ones. faulty is, decides far special , entire self-chosen poetic utterance.

by time last edition completed, leaves of grass had grown small book of 12 poems hefty tome of 400 poems. volume changed, did pictures whitman used illustrate them—the last edition depicts older whitman full beard , jacket, appearing more sophisticated , wise.