“IT’S MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD”: PRESENTATION COPY OF NOVEMBER BOUGHS, ONE OF ONLY 400 COPIES PRINTED FOR WHITMAN’S PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION, INSCRIBED BY HIS LITERARY EXECUTOR, HORACE TRAUBEL

WHITMAN, Walt. November Boughs. Philadelphia: David McKay, 1888 [i.e. 1891]. Octavo, original gilt-stamped green cloth, beveled boards, top edge gilt, uncut. $3200.

First edition, third printing, one of only 400 copies printed for Whitman’s private distribution, of this late collection from America’s first great poet, inscribed by Whitman’s close friend and one of his three literary executors: “Emma Haviland Platt. Lakewood. May 10th 1896. Horace Traubel."

This 1891 printing, published three years after the first, is believed to have been for Whitman's private distribution based on two copies with notations in close friend and biographer Horace Traubel's hand stating that this "edition" was made by Whitman "for his personal friends & never put upon the market" and calling this "Whitman's private edition. Made only for his friends. Never put on the market" (Myerson A12.1.c). In March of 1886 Whitman wrote that he planned "to scoop up what I have (poems and prose) of the last MSS since 1881 and '2, & put them in probably 200 page book (or somewhat less) to be called perhaps November Boughs." It took several years for the book to become reality, and it was not until the night of Whitman's 69th birthday that the first printer's proofs of November Boughs were delivered to him as a surprise. "It's more precious than gold," he said as he put the roll of proof sheets in his pocket (Kaplan, 31). Introduced by Whitman's essay, "A Backward Glance O'er Travel'd Roads," November Boughs is a collection of poems and essays dating from the poet's later years. Third printing, with "mèlée" on page 6, line 13 up, and advertisements at page 141. Whitman had intended to bind the sheets of this printing with Goodbye My Fancy, but was too sick to do so. Whitman's executors were probably responsible for binding the sheets for November Boughs in a uniform but separate binding from Goodbye My Fancy. BAL 21430. Myerson A12.1.c. In addition to being a close friend of Whitman, Horace Traubel, who presented this copy, served as his literary executor and biographer; he is considered one of the leading forces in insuring Whitman's stature as a great American poet.

A lovely copy with only very minor wear and front inner hinge expertly repaired, gilt bright.