About this Item

Title: The most superb beauties are

Creator: Walt Whitman

Date: Before or early in 1855

Whitman Archive ID: duk.00304

Source: Trent Collection of Whitmaniana, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. Transcribed from digital images of the original. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of manuscripts, see our statement of editorial policy.

Editorial note: These notes, or possibly trial lines, expressing the idea that beauty is found in what is "cheapest" and "commonest," may be connected to the following line in the first poem of the 1855 Leaves of Grass, ultimately titled "Song of Myself": "What is commonest and cheapest and nearest and easiest is Me." The date is most likely before or early in 1855.