Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass
Brooklyn, New York, 1855

The copy Whitman gave to Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson was one of the first to recognize Whitman’s genius and on July 21, 1855, sent him a letter praising the book as “the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed.”  This letter also contains the famous words, “I greet you at the beginning of a great career, which yet must have had a long foreground somewhere, for such a start.”

The first edition of Leaves of Grass contained only twelve untitled poems and a long preface in prose.  Less than 900 copies were printed in July 1855, with the author assisting the printer in the type composition and presswork.  The volume was first placed for sale at two dollars, but was later reduced to one dollar.  Very few copies sold, Whitman giving almost the entire edition to critics and friends.

This volume is held in the Special Collections Library.

Photos by Randal Stegmeyer