Lot 667
[Whitman, Walt] Advertising Broadside Designed by Whitman. Attractive printed broadside designed by Whitman, advertising his own works in bookstores, 24 x 30 in., on paper, n.p., c.1872. In part: "Walt Whitman's Books…Leaves of Grass…Democratic Vistas…After All Not to Create Only… As A Strong Bird on Pinions Free…" Also, John Burroughs' "Notes On Walt Whitman As Poet And Person." Fine except for several edge tears, all outside border surrounding text. BAL volume.9, sec.IV, p.98 - First and only recorded edition; apparently some were printed on linen.
After leaving school at a young age, Whitman worked as an apprentice and printer's devil for the weekly Long Island newspaper, The Patriot. At various times in his career he worked as a compositor, a typesetter, and an editor, and even ran his own newspaper, the Long Islander, for less than a year. The influence of the author in his own typographical designs is boldly apparent on the present broadside. A rare Whitman item, present in the Library of Congress but usually lacking in most collections.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500.
|
| |
| Realized $2,875 |
