A Fine Collection of American Literature and History

First Edition of Walt Whitman's First Separately Published Work

"A Tale of the Times--by a Popular American Author"

New-York: J. Winchester, November, 1842. First edition, in the Extra Series of The New World newspaper, Number 34, Vol. II, No. 10. 4to. 31, (1) pp. (ads); bound in rear is an additional leaf of ads from another Extra Series issue, advertising this work. Edited by Park Benjamin. Printed in two columns. Illustrated with an engraved vignette on first page. Disbound, as usual, with remnants of wrapper along spine; all edges trimmed; foxing to text, as usual; in green cloth slip case and chemise. Myerson A1.1; BAL 21393; Wells and Goldsmith, p. 3

Also includes an excised bifolium leaf (pp. 321/322) from the November 12, 1842 issue of The New World newspaper, printing an ad for this story: "Friends of Temperance, Ahoy!"; outlined in red pencil; mounted in paper folder.

A rare first edition of Walt Whitman's first--and only--novel, and his first separately published work. Whitman's novel was written at the bequest of the editor of The New World, Park Benjamin, and was published as a special extra issue of the newspaper. At the time Whitman was desperate for money, and although the book sold well (20,000 copies)--Whitman was paid $75 upfront, and then an additional $200--he was later embarrassed it, and called it a "damn rot" written in haste in three days.

Rare.