About this Item
First printing of this comprehensive volume of Walt Whitman's works, published in March 1938. ***Near fine in rust-red cloth-covered buckram boards, with bevelled edges, and with gilt titles to the spine. The gilt is still beautifully bright, having been protected by the dustwrapper. The boards are clean and unmarked, just lightly faded at the top edges. Head and tail of spine slightly creased. Corners sharp. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Page block edges clean, with the top edge stained red by the publisher to match the boards, now slightly faded. Internally also near fine with no ownership marks or annotations. The paper stock used is extremely thin India paper, but there are no obvious creases or tears - just very slight creasing to the top corner tips of the last few pages. Paper stock lightly tanned but pages clean. ***In a very good illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of 18s. net. The dustwrapper is virtually complete, with just a small chip and some edge wear at the top of the spine, and a little rubbing and edge wear at the bottom of the spine. Some small loss at the corner tips, and some rubbing and creasing to the extremities, but no serious loss, creases or tears. Light creasing at the top edge of the front panel. A little light browning to the edges and the spine, but no fading to the spine colour. Dustwrapper bright. ***197mm x 130mm. xxxix preliminary pages plus 1116 printed pages. ***'For some years the Nonesuch Press has been building up a library of "compendious" editions of the desirable classics. The aim in this series is to give, by clever editing and appropriate critical apparatus, a true conspectus of certain great writers in one volume, and, by proper planning of the physical elements of the book, to give it in a form both handsome and handy. The compression of a vast deal of matter (an average of more than a third of a million words) in a little space without sacrifice of legibility is no easy matter; but the Times literary Supplement says of the series: "In subject, editing --- and in production they attain a level that would seem to justify twice their price." The general plan of the books in this "Library" is to begin with a carefully edited text of the writer's chief work, and add selections from his lesser writings and letters without which it would be impossible to form a picture of his life's work and genius. Each book is treated as a separate typographical problem; but all are of one size, and bound in the same style in buckram of various colours. (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***'Walter Whitman Jr. )May 31, 1819 - March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist, and journalist. He is considered one of the most influential poets in American literature. Whitman incorporated both transcendentalism and realism in his writings and is often called the father of free verse. His work was controversial in his time, particularly his 1855 poetry collection "Leaves of Grass", which was described by some as obscene for its overt sensuality.' (Wiki) ***A lovely copy of the "Complete Poetry & Selected Prose and Letters" of Walt Whitman, published in 1938, and retaining the original pre-war dustwrapper. Very uncommon in the true first edition in the dustwrapper - a nice edition for the Walt Whitman collector. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.***.
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