Republications Leaves of Grass

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.