TWO RIVULETS INCLUDING DEMOCRATIC VISTAS, CENTENNIAL SONGS, AND PASSAGE TO INDIA

Camden, NJ: (New Republic Print), 1876. First Author's Edition. Hardcover. Templeton's ownership signature on a front blank. Bright, clean copy beautifully bound. Fine in a Fine green cloth slipcase. Bound in full green polished calf leather by Bayntun Riviere with double gilt rules, gilt spine decorations with the date in gilt at the bottom, contrasting gilt-lettered morocco spine labels, five raised bands, gilt dentelles, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, ad leaf at rear for Whitman's Works. Also included, listed in the Contents but not on the title page, are AS A STRONG BIRD ON PINIONS FREE and MEMORANDA DURING THE WAR. BAL 21413; MYERSON A.9.1.b. First and only edition, second printing of 600 or 650 copies printed, with numerous revisions, after the first printing which consisted of only 100 copies. With a photographic frontispiece of Whitman. Most copies, as with this, were SIGNED by the poet on the photograph with the additional notation in Whitman's hand: "born May 31/1819." In addition this is INSCRIBED by the poet to "Clement Templeton/from the author" on the original yellow free endpaper.

Clement Templeton was a British concert master who in the 1870s presided over the Harrow Music School's efforts to promote good music through inexpensive concerts. He was considered a socialist for his attempts to interest working people in music associated at the time with the upper classes. In a letter dated 5 October [1877] to Edward Carpenter, Whitman mentions sending Templeton this volume (WALT WHITMAN. THE CORRESPONDENCE. Volume III: 1876-1885. #835, page 100).