Leaves of Grass (Grosset & Dunlap Edition)
Decorative Art/Bookbinding; Hardcover book on paper • Author: Walt Whitman; Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modernist/Functionalist publisher design
Medium & Technique
Cloth binding with gold gilt stamping and printed cardstock dust jacket or spine label overlay
Creation Period
Circa 1930s-1950s
Dimensions & Format
Octavo (approx. 8 x 5.5 inches); Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A poetic collection by Walt Whitman, represented here as an American literary trade edition. The spine features a decorative cartouche containing the title and publisher name.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair; visible wear to the spine jacket and darkening of colors
Estimated Market Value
$15 - $40 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced trade edition; likely acquired through general retail or a private library collection
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of mid-20th-century American mass-market publishing of canonical transcendentalist literature. While not a first edition, it signifies the democratic dissemination of Whitman's work.
Notable Features
Distinctive Grosset & Dunlap green binding with black and gold spine ornamentation typical of their mid-century classics series.
Condition Issues
Fading/discoloration of the spine, edge wear to the binding, and potential oxidation of the gilt lettering.
Conservation Recommendations
Store upright in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct UV light to prevent further fading of the green spine pigments.