Phila:1
July 19—
Rees Welsh & Co:'s new ed'n L of G. looks well—is a
fac-simile of the Boston ed'n—announced ready by 17th (being pretty cautious
printed only 1000) began to come in from the bindery late that day—Early this
forenoon they were all clean'd out—hadn't a copy
left2—are hurrying up their second
batch—I have commenced type-setting on Specimen
Days3—Keep well—awful hot
weather—
W W
Notes
- 1. This letter is endorsed:
"Answ'd July 20/82." It is addressed: Wm D O'Connor | Life Saving Service Bureau
| Washington | D C. It is postmarked: Philadelphia | Jul | 19 | 6 PM | Pa.;
Washington, D.C. | Jul | 20 | 5 AM | 1882 | Recd. [back]
- 2. Whitman wrote in his
Commonplace Book: "The first Phila ed'n. . . ready 18th—morning of 20th
all exhausted—not a copy left" (Charles E. Feinberg Collection of the
Papers of Walt Whitman, 1839–1919, Library of Congress, Washington,
D.C.). [back]
- 3. Sherman & Co. began
to set type on July 19. On July 23 Whitman "read first page proof 'Specimen
Days'" (Whitman's Commonplace Book). [back]