Content:
Of nearly as much significance as Whitman's copy of the 1855
Leaves
is his copy of
the Boston, 1860-61 edition, the famous "Blue Book." It is this volume, in blue
paper wrappers, that was discovered in Whitman's desk by Secretary
of the Interior James Harlan, leading to Whitman's dismissal from the
Department on June 30, 1865. Documenting this event in Whitman's
life in Washington, the Lion Collection also includes a group of
seven letters and documents relating to his work in the Departments
of the Interior and Justice. Among these are Secretary Harlan's
letter of dismissal, and a memorandum in Whitman's hand recording a
conversation with W. T. Otto of the Department of the Interior about the
finding of the "Blue
Book" in Whitman's desk; images of these items are unavailable.The book itself is heavily corrected and revised throughout in
Whitman's hand, in preparation for later editions, though in fact Whitman never implemented many of the changes he contemplated. The "Blue Book" is another remarkable example of his lifelong habit of editing and rewriting his poems. The flyleaf is inscribed: "Property of Horace L. Traubel / Received from Walt Whitman May 23d 1890—W. saying: 'You fellows value these curios more than I do.
This will help you to see how the book grew, if that is anything.
But I guess you would know how it grew if you never possessed the
book. The book is a milepost . . . This gives a glimpse into the
work shop . . .'"
Content:
The handwritten Table of Contents of the 1881-1882
edition of
Leaves of Grass
with instructions to the printer. Also included is a proof of the title-page
of the same edition, with Whitman's corrections.
Content:
Printer's copy for portions of the 1881-1882
edition of
Leaves of Grass
containing manuscript and printed pages with numerous corrections,
additions, and instructions to the printer. A lock of Whitman's hair,
enclosed in a wrapper, also appears with this collection.
Content:
Proofs of the publisher's advertisement and the table of contents for the 1881–82 edition of
Leaves of Grass
, with corrections and deletions in Whitman's hand.
Content:
This list of corrections in Whitman's hand, including page numbers and notes,
corresponds to a proof of the 1891–1892 edition of
Leaves of Grass
and is related to the item "[p 287]" in the same collection.
Content:
This list of corrections in Whitman's hand, including page numbers and notes,
probably corresponds to a proof of the 1891-1892
edition of
Leaves of Grass
.
On the other side is a letter of solicitation from Henry Romeike's clipping bureau dated
September 10,
1891.
Content:
Whitman's own copy, with
handwritten notes and the original pink paper covers, of the 1855 edition of
Leaves of Grass
.
Into this copy, Whitman has tipped 8 booklets of manuscripts, 52 leaves in all, as well as
typed copies of six of the booklets. The cover contains a handwritten note by Horace L.
Traubel about the finding of this copy. With
holograph letter of Anne Montgomerie Traubel to Oscar Lion, dated
May 12, 1928, describing the finding of this copy after Whitman's
death.
