Controversial American poet whose experiments in radically new forms of poetry blended rhythmic rambling with mystic imagery and celebrated his thoughts on man and society. His masterpiece, Leaves of Grass, led to his dismissal from a job as a clerk in the US Department of Interior because of the book's reputed scandalously explicit sexual references. Very nice sepia 5.25 x 7.25 paperstock photo showing a very introspective Whitman seated and holding up a butterfly, boldly signed in fountain pen in the lower border. A previous owner has written, 'The Homer of America,' and 'the Good Gray Poet,' in the top and bottom borders respectively. In very good condition, with photo having been professionally silked and repaired at corners, some light soiling and some light feathering of ink to last name in signature. COA John Reznikoff/University Archives and RRAuction COA.
