Leaves of Grass: Facsimile Edition of the 1855 Text by Whitman, Walt - 1920

Portland, ME: Thomas Bird Mosher / William Francis Gable, 1920. one of 500 copies of the Facsimile Edition, Second Impression of 1920; previous owner's neatly penned signature on ffep, otherwise the textblock is very clean, unmarked and tight; binding slightly edge worn at the spine extremities, board edges and corners; spine titling slightly faded; Includes a memoriam composed by Thomas Mosher, to Horace Traubel, a trusted friend to Whitman, who died in 1919. Also included is the text of the Ralph Waldo Emerson letter to Whitman of 21 July, 1855 in which he thanks the poet for his copy of Leaves of Grass, and declares it "the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed." Following the Emerson text, is a photo reproduction of his letter, and then the eight-page introduction, dated July 14, 1920; Section IV of the introduction gives many interesting details of the first edition in its many forms; The facsimile of 'Leaves of Grass' follows after, including the reproduced pale yellow paper covers (front and rear) of the first edition in wrappers, which some scholars suggest were advance copies; This is a splendid book, beautifully preserved, in excellent condition; additional images upon request. . Facsimile Edition, Second Impression. Embossed Green Cloth. Very Good+. Illus. by Steel-Engraved Frontispiece By Samuel Hollyer. 4to - Over 9 ¾" -12" Tall. Hard Cover.