I have today your letter of 14th enclosing p. 110 with portrait of E.H.2 I have the book3 complete now from p. 5 to p 140 both inclusive. Your idea seems to be to sell Nov. Boughs at a reasonable price, and for a special vol. get up the Complete works4 all in one cover. I like this notion, think it is the best plan altogether and hope you will carry it out. The big vol. should contain several portraits of yourself and perhaps other illustrations (why not use the phototypes of your father & mother that Gutekunst got up for my book?)—Should have (each copy) an actual autograph. I duk.00536.002_large.jpg wish you would use the little introductory poem to "As a strong bird" and sign it—no lithograph—and number each copy as you sell it. The paper should be very good hand made but rather thin so as not to make the vol. too bulky—wide margins—uncut edges except the top which should be gilt—the cover should be best cloth, green, with a sprig of grass & flowers in gold on the back below the title. Book to be sold only by yourself for $10.
I like the "N.B." (and especially the "Sands" & "E.H.") more and more (,the "Backward Glance" and "Last of War Cases" about as valuable) I think the little vol. a most admirable contribution.5—Pardee6 is back from the Sea7 side, very little better I fear. I expect to go to Sarnia tomorrow to spend Sunday with him.
Your friend RM Bucke duk.00536.003_large.jpg Gables Here is a Bucke letter which you may stick into the proper place of my vol 2 With W.W. in Camden H.T.: 1909. See notes Aug 20 1888 duk.00536.004_large.jpgCorrespondent:
Richard Maurice Bucke (1837–1902) was a
Canadian physician and psychiatrist who grew close to Whitman after reading Leaves of Grass in 1867 (and later memorizing it) and
meeting the poet in Camden a decade later. Even before meeting Whitman, Bucke
claimed in 1872 that a reading of Leaves of Grass led him
to experience "cosmic consciousness" and an overwhelming sense of epiphany.
Bucke became the poet's first biographer with Walt
Whitman (Philadelphia: David McKay, 1883), and he later served as one
of his medical advisors and literary executors. For more on the relationship of
Bucke and Whitman, see Howard Nelson, "Bucke, Richard Maurice," Walt Whitman: An
Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York:
Garland Publishing, 1998).