Books and Manuscripts

Whitman, Walt
Printed Poem, signed
No place, ca. 1884. Printed sheet of Whitman's poem “Of that Blithe Throat of Thine”, boldly signed by Whitman at bottom, and dated and notated by him at top “January Harpers 1885”; 7 7/8 x 6 in. (200 x 152 mm). Mounted to card; sheet unevenly toned. In mat and in frame, 11 x 12 in. (279 x 305 mm). Myerson F49, second state (without printed signature)

A very rare printing of Whitman's poem “Of that Blithe Throat of Thine”--one of only 30 copies signed by Whitman. Myerson has noted only 50 total impressions of this broadside, 20 copies with Whitman's name printed at bottom and 30 copies without his printed name. Of those 30 copies it has been noted that they were then signed by Whitman for his personal disbursement. 

“Of that Blithe Throat of Thine” was first published in Harper's Monthly Magazine, in January, 1885, and then reprinted in ”Sands at Seventy" annex to Leaves of Grass (1888).