WHITMAN, WALT | Complete Poems & Prose of Walt Whitman 1855–1888. Authenticated & Personal Book (handled by W.W.). (Philadelphia, 1888)

WHITMAN, WALT 

Complete Poems & Prose of Walt Whitman 1855–1888. Authenticated & Personal Book (handled by W.W.). (Philadelphia, 1888)

Large 8vo (10 1/4 x 6 1/2 in.; 260 x 165 mm, uncut). Pictorial title-page and two other portrait plates. Original three-quarters green cloth and marbled boards, printed paper spine label (a trifle chipped), unopened; extremities rubbed, shaken nearly loose in binding but sewing strong save for first couple of gatherings and front free endpaper loose. front inner hinge cracked, edges of board sides a little worn. Green half morocco slipcase.

Presentation copy, inscribed by Whitman on the front free endpaper to Maurice Buxton Forman, the collector, bibliographer—and forger: "Maurice Buxton Forman from the author with wishes & prayers for the coming ventures & years. America Sept: 26 1891."

Limited edition, one of 600 copies signed by Whitman (as usual on the title-page of “Leaves of Grass”) and with Horace Traubel's autograph statement of limitation (this no. 260). This is one of 150 copies in this binding (both BAL and Myerson’s Binding A, priority assumed).

LITERATURE:

BAL 21431; Myerson A2.7.m

PROVENANCE:

Maurice Buxton Forman (presentation inscription; bookplate), and subsequently descended in the family to the present owner