Walt Whitman / Leaves of Grass / Worthington Pirated Edition / ca.1880

Description: Leaves of Grass [Worthington Pirated Edition] Author: Walt Whitman Title: Leaves of Grass [Worthington Pirated Edition] Publication: Boston: Thayer and Eldridge, [ca. 1880] Description: Very Good. Boston: Thayer and Eldridge [Richard Worthington], 1860-61 [but ca. 1880]. Third Edition, presumed fourth (and second unauthorized) printing. Octavo (19cm); 456 pp. Frontispiece by S.A. Schoff, with tissue guard. Blind-stamped pebbled maroon cloth with gilt lettering to spine; light yellow endpapers. Boards rubbed at corners and with a bit of fading to spine and some tugging and fraying at head and tail. Front board a bit shaky and a crack starting at rear hinge, but binding is holding soundly. Binding is sound and pages unmarked.Richard Worthington issued this unauthorized edition after acquiring the Thayer plates, which were sold at auction in 1879 (Thayer went bankrupt in 1861). Worthington had approached Whitman with an offer for the author to "complete" the book, which Whitman refused. He was therefore dismayed to find a copy of the book a year later in a Philadelphia bookstore. Legal action was threatened but never taken, and Whitman did accept royalties for the book despite his discontent. A copy seen by Myerson contains a note by editor Laurens Maynard (of Small, Maynard, & Co.), which notes that "Whitman bought the plates from Worthington who also turned over to him what he guaranteed to be all of the books he had left. But upon his subsequent failure after Whitman's death a large number of this edition were found in his stock."[Myerson A2.3.d]. Seller ID: 26402 Subject: 19th Century, Americana, Poetry Capitol Hill Books is a used bookstore located on historic Capitol Hill in Washington DC, with three floors of quality used books, first editions, and rare books. [Note: Our online inventory is stored and managed at a separate location from at our brick and mortar shop. If you have a question about an item listed online, please send a direct message here rather than calling the store so that we can make sure someone familiar with the item in question can respond.] Terms Books described only as First Editions are First Printings unless otherwise specified. All items are guaranteed to be as described or they may be returned within 30 days of receipt for a full refund. All orders ship within two business days. Standard mail is USPS Media Mail. Expedited and international shipping are also available (please contact for estimates). We offer combined shipping on multiple orders. This listing was created by Bibliopolis.

Price: 750 USD

Location: Washington, District Of Columbia

End Time: 2024-12-24T20:22:54.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.5 USD