Leaves of Grass (First Edition)
On July 4, 1855, an unknown Brooklyn journalist released a slim volume of poetry that would forever transform American literature. Walt Whitman self-published the first edition of Leaves of Grass, a revolutionary collection of twelve untitled poems that defied every convention of the era. The book bore no author's name on the cover, only an engraving of Whitman himself in working clothes and a jaunty hat, hand placed confidently on his hip.
This exact facsimile preserves Whitman's original vision in all its raw, audacious glory. The first edition captures the poet at his most powerful and unfiltered. Critics and scholars often consider this version superior to later editions, praising its fresh energy and bold presentation.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, the most respected literary figure of the age, called it "the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed." He greeted Whitman "at the beginning of a great career." Not everyone agreed. Poet John Greenleaf Whittier reportedly threw his copy into the fire.
Only 795 copies were originally printed, with fewer than half bound in the distinctive green cloth covers. Today, roughly 200 original copies survive. This facsimile edition allows you to experience the book exactly as Whitman intended, from his iconic frontispiece portrait to the sprawling lines of what would later become "Song of Myself."
Hold history in your hands. Experience the birth of modern American poetry.
Interesting Facts
Independence Day Publication: Whitman chose a symbolically powerful date for his debut. The first edition of Leaves of Grass was self-published on July 4, 1855, linking his poetic vision to American independence itself.
No Author Name Appeared: Here's a delicious mystery! The 1855 edition included neither the author's nor publisher's name on the title page. Instead, readers found only an engraving of a casually dressed man in work clothes and a jaunty hat.
Whitman Set His Own Type: The poet was deeply hands-on with this book. He paid for the printing and helped set the type himself at the Brooklyn shop of Scottish immigrants James and Andrew Rome.
Only 795 Copies Printed: This slim volume had a tiny first run. About 795 copies were printed, with only around 200 bound in the now-iconic green cloth cover with gold lettering.
Fewer Than 200 Survive Today: These original books are incredibly rare treasures. Due to the small print run and fragile paper wrappers on many copies, fewer than 200 copies of the 1855 edition are known to exist.
The Title Is a Clever Pun: Whitman loved wordplay! "Grass" was slang publishers used for works of minor value, and "leaves" meant pages. So the title playfully suggests "pages of worthless writing."
Twelve Untitled Poems: The first edition contained just twelve poems, and none of them had titles. The poem we now call "Song of Myself" took up 43 pages of the 96-page volume.
Emerson's Legendary Letter: Ralph Waldo Emerson sent Whitman a letter calling the book "the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed." Whitman published this letter without permission in the New York Tribune.
Whitman Wrote His Own Reviews: Talk about self-promotion! The 1855 publication was heralded by anonymous glowing reviews in New York papers that were clearly written by Whitman himself. One proclaimed, "An American bard at last!"
From Twelve to Four Hundred Poems: Whitman spent the rest of his life revising and expanding the collection. What began as a slim book of 12 poems grew to nearly 400 poems by the final "deathbed" edition in 1891-1892.
Quotes
"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion." - Walt Whitman
"Dazzling and tremendous how quick the sun-rise would kill me, If I could not now and always send sun-rise out of me." - Walt Whitman
"I will sleep no more but arise, You oceans that have been calm within me! how I feel you, fathomless, stirring, preparing unprecedented waves and storms." - Walt Whitman
"Long enough have you dream'd contemptible dreams, Now I wash the gum from your eyes, You must habit yourself to the dazzle of the light and of every moment of your life." - Walt Whitman
"I am large, I contain multitudes." - Walt Whitman
"there is no object so soft but it makes a hub for the wheel'd universe." - Walt Whitman
"Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me? And why should I not speak to you?" - Walt Whitman
"My voice goes after what my eyes cannot reach, With the twirl of my tongue I encompass worlds and volumes of worlds." - Walt Whitman
"This is thy hour O Soul, thy free flight into the wordless, Away from books, away from art, the day erased, the lesson done." - Walt Whitman
"I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you." - Walt Whitman
"Seeing, hearing, feeling, are miracles, and each part and tag of me is a miracle. Divine am I inside and out, and I make holy whatever I touch or am touch'd." - Walt Whitman
"Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of all poems, You shall possess the good of the earth and sun." - Walt Whitman
"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable, I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world." - Walt Whitman
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