Leaves of Grass
Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1881-82. Publisher's cloth over boards. Octavo. 382 pages. Fine. An exceptional copy.
First printing of the famous "suppressed Boston edition," seventh edition overall. Rather scarce edition of Whitman's monumental work, due to the short time it was available for sale. The publisher, Osgood, was acting as go-between for the Boston D.A. and Whitman, who could not agree on changes to make the book acceptable in conservative New England. Whitman would ultimately not accept the requested changes and distribution of this edition was suspended after only four months. One of the included pieces that was particularly problematic for the Boston D.A. was "A Woman Waits for Me," appearing herein on page 88.
Second state title page per Myerson, this is one of just 1,010 copies sold prior to its suppression. Myerson's "Binding A."
Ref. MYERSON A.2.7.a; BAL 21418.
Item #1418
Price: $2,500