# Is "Leaves of Grass ('Deathbed' edition, 1891–92)" by Walt Whitman a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Leaves of Grass ('Deathbed' edition, 1891–92) by Walt Whitman (David McKay, 1891 (1891–92)) is identified by: The final authorized arrangement Whitman approved (the 'Deathbed edition'), David McKay, Philadelphia. This is the authoritative final-text issue, distinct from the many earlier editions and collected as Whitman's definitive arrangement.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The final authorized arrangement Whitman approved (the 'Deathbed edition'), David McKay, Philadelphia
- Points: cancel title page dated 1891-'2 (the contents leaf is also a cancel); the 'A Backward Glance O'er Travel'd Roads' essay and the 'Sands at Seventy' and 'Good-Bye My Fancy' annexes; and Whitman's printed note affirming this as the authoritative text
- Plain dark green cloth, spine lettered in gilt with title, author, and publisher
- Publisher imprint reads David McKay
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Walt Whitman |
| Publisher | David McKay |
| Year | 1891 (1891–92) |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The final authorized arrangement Whitman approved (the 'Deathbed edition'), David McKay, Philadelphia |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
The final authorized arrangement Whitman approved (the 'Deathbed edition'), David McKay, Philadelphia. Points: cancel title page dated 1891-'2 (the contents leaf is also a cancel); the 'A Backward Glance O'er Travel'd Roads' essay and the 'Sands at Seventy' and 'Good-Bye My Fancy' annexes; and Whitman's printed note affirming this as the authoritative text. Plain dark green cloth, spine lettered in gilt with title, author, and publisher.

## Is this the true first?
This is the authoritative final-text issue, distinct from the many earlier editions and collected as Whitman's definitive arrangement. It was printed from the plates of the 1889 setting with annexes; verify the 1891-'2 cancel title page and the affirming note.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later McKay and other-publisher printings reuse the text; the genuine deathbed issue has the 1891-'2 cancel title page, the dark green cloth, and Whitman's affirming note.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Leaves of Grass ('Deathbed' edition, 1891–92)* by Walt Whitman a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/leaves-of-grass-deathbed-edition-1891-92
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.