'America's Second Declaration of Independence' auctions in New York


2015-06-26 11:54:03


'America's Second Declaration of Independence' auctions in New York

Controversial US essayist Walt Whitman's iconic Leaves of Grass has sold for an incredible $30k

19th century poet Walt Whitman is an iconic figure to many Americans, and first editions of his works are usually valuable.

Another example of the was shown at Bloomsbury's sale of rare books and manuscripts in New York last week, where an example of his most famous work was put up for sale.

Whitman's works did not shy away from difficult subjects and were oftencriticised as obscene forcontaining sexual references at the time. This was as true of his most famous work, the collection Leaves of Grass, as any.

The 1855 work has been described as 'America's Second Declaration of Independence', and the copy available, despite a blemish to the spine is a classic example of the work with the original green half morocco binding in place.

Frontispiece showing Walt WhitmanFrontispiece showing Walt Whitman

The book, which Whitman self-published, has a frontispiece portrait of him by Samuel Hollyer (after a daguerreotype) printed on heavy China paper. It proved to be the lot which a good few bidders were waiting for, and fetched $30,000.

Collectors interested in collectibles from great writers of the 19th century might like to know that signatures from William Wordsworth and Oscar Wilde are currently available.


Image: Bloomsbury Auctions

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