UNL Libraries unveils 3 millionth volume: 1st edition of 'Leaves of Grass'

A book which has influenced American literature and poetry since its publication, written by the poet that scholars credit as one of the first to speak with an authentic American voice, was unveiled as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries' 3 millionth volume during a special event Sept. 27.

At the event, sponsored by the Friends of the UNL Libraries and the Nebraska Humanities Council, donors, faculty and students gathered to learn the name of the author and title of the 3 millionth book. Joan Giesecke, dean of libraries, with help from the invited speakers, unveiled a first edition of Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass," published in 1855 and one of fewer than 200 surviving copies.

Featured speakers for the event were two prominent Whitman scholars, Ed Folsom, Carver professor of English at the University of Iowa, and Kenneth M. Price, university professor and Hillegass chair of American literature at UNL. Folsom and Price serve as co-directors of the Walt Whitman Archive (www.whitmanarchive.org), an online resource that sets out to make Whitman's work easily and conveniently accessible to all.

The original printing of the first edition of "Leaves of Grass" was 795 copies on legal size paper. Each of those copies of the first edition is unique. Whitman worked on the printing of the volumes himself and experienced press and ink problems. He also stopped the press several times in mid-print to correct errors or make other changes.

"It is appropriate that the first edition of 'Leaves of Grass' is the 3 millionth volume," Giesecke said. "It has both a historical significance and at the same time is at the center of one of our most important innovations -- the Walt Whitman Archive."

It has taken 138 years for the UNL Libraries research collection to reach the 3 million mark, making it the largest and still the only comprehensive research library in the state.

The book will reside in the Archives and Special Collections of the University Libraries.

CONTACT: Joan Barnes, Development and Outreach Librarian, University Libraries, (402) 472-6987