Leaves of Grass
by Walt Whitman
Leaves of Grass is Walt Whitman's poetry collection, self-published in Brooklyn on 4 July 1855 and printed at the shop of James and Andrew Rome. The first edition held twelve untitled poems, with about 800 copies printed. Whitman revised and expanded it for the rest of his life.
- Editions tracked
- 2
- First edition
- Self-published, 1855
- First published
- Walt Whitman (self-published), Brooklyn, 1855
The first edition of Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman was self-published in Brooklyn, New York in 1855. We track 2 editions.
Which edition do you have?
First edition
Later and other editions
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
Read next
- Followed by
- Drum-Taps
In print
- Editions recorded
- 755 on Open Library, 521 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 31 languages
- Free to read
- Project Gutenberg (out of copyright in the US)
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
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How to Identify a First Edition
To identify a first edition, check that your copy is the first printing of the first edition. Read the copyright …
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Book condition grading uses a six-step trade scale: Fine, Near Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Collectors grade the …
Read the guide →7 min readDust Jackets Explained: Why the Jacket Drives a Book's Value
For most books published since the 1920s, the original dust jacket carries a large share of the value, often most …
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of Leaves of Grass?
The first edition of Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman was self-published in Brooklyn, New York in 1855.
How many editions of Leaves of Grass are there?
We track 2 editions of Leaves of Grass, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
What should I read after Leaves of Grass?
In order, it is followed by Drum-Taps, according to Wikidata.
Can I read Leaves of Grass for free?
Yes: the text is out of copyright in the United States and free to read on Project Gutenberg. Collectors still pay for the first edition, which is the physical object, not the words.
Where these facts come from
- Leaves of Grass, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Leaves of Grass (Q132042), Wikidata (wikidata.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 17 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.
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