Mary Beth: That would be a great project to undertake - finding and analyzing a first edition. I own one of the subsequent editions with a green cloth jacket that is pictured in my Substack story, "An Invisible Poet." It has marvelous watercolor paintings accompanying some of his poems. But it is not the magical first edition you are focused on. Being a native of Long Island, I visited the Walt Whitman Birthplace, a museum in West Hills, New York about thirty years ago. The museum may house a first edition but I am not sure. The thing that actually struck me about my visit is there was a nearby shopping center named the Walt Whitman Shopping Center, that was named in his honor. It made me doubt whether the people who decided to name it had any understanding of his poetry! I may write something on that topic down the road.
I love this chapter. Walt Whitman, always a favorite, so beautifully described here. I can see him, smell the ink in the print shop, here the little clicks when the type is searched through in the trays that holds it. The letters the words, the need to see/think backwards to set the type accurately. The good old days. It's all so visceral. Thank you, Douglas.
I've often wanted to read the original edition of Leaves of Grass just to see what type he used. I've asked more than one librarian this question and I still don't have an answer. I'm talking the first edition, not subsequent reprints.
Another thoughtful and eloquent chapter, which I enjoyed reading, slowly, to make sure I'm not missing any of the meaning. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Elliott: Slow reading is always an excellent approach when reading for enjoyment. My next chapter is scheduled for release on Tuesday, December 17. Thanks, Douglas
Mary Beth: That would be a great project to undertake - finding and analyzing a first edition. I own one of the subsequent editions with a green cloth jacket that is pictured in my Substack story, "An Invisible Poet." It has marvelous watercolor paintings accompanying some of his poems. But it is not the magical first edition you are focused on. Being a native of Long Island, I visited the Walt Whitman Birthplace, a museum in West Hills, New York about thirty years ago. The museum may house a first edition but I am not sure. The thing that actually struck me about my visit is there was a nearby shopping center named the Walt Whitman Shopping Center, that was named in his honor. It made me doubt whether the people who decided to name it had any understanding of his poetry! I may write something on that topic down the road.
I love this chapter. Walt Whitman, always a favorite, so beautifully described here. I can see him, smell the ink in the print shop, here the little clicks when the type is searched through in the trays that holds it. The letters the words, the need to see/think backwards to set the type accurately. The good old days. It's all so visceral. Thank you, Douglas.
Nan: I really appreciate this very kind review of Typesetting!
I've often wanted to read the original edition of Leaves of Grass just to see what type he used. I've asked more than one librarian this question and I still don't have an answer. I'm talking the first edition, not subsequent reprints.
I found myself absorbed in this story. I was in complete disbelief that it ended instead of continuing on as a full novel. Well done Douglas!
Thank you John! Perhaps one day I will indeed expand it into a longer tale about Whitman. He certainly lived a large life.
Another thoughtful and eloquent chapter, which I enjoyed reading, slowly, to make sure I'm not missing any of the meaning. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Elliott: Slow reading is always an excellent approach when reading for enjoyment. My next chapter is scheduled for release on Tuesday, December 17. Thanks, Douglas