Leaves of Grass by WHITMAN, WALT - 1882

Philadelphia: Rees Welsh & Co., 1882. BAL 21419; identifying this edition as largely a reprint of the Boston 1881-82 edition (the publisher of which, Osgood, gave up issuing the book under pressure from the Massachusetts Attorney General), but incorporating a number of changes (at least 16 are identified). This publisher, under the direction of a young David McKay, ignored the legal threat, producing four printings of this edition before the plates were issued under McKay’s own imprint. These Rees Welsh printings are indistinguishable. Inscribed by Whitman on the first blank, “J. William Thompson from the author.” The recipient, a London lawyer, was a correspondent of Whitman, who, at least on one occasion, ordered some books directly from the often self-published author. Some cloth wear and soiling; overall, a very good copy.