1929 Walt Whitman Franklin Evans Limited 700 – Random House 1932 Presentation Copy.
 
An unusual publisher-presentation example of Walt Whitman's Franklin Evans; or, The Inebriate: A Tale of the Times, published by Random House in 1929 and printed by D. B. Updike at the Merrymount Press.
This edition was limited to only 700 copies and contains an introduction by noted Whitman scholar Emory Holloway.
What distinguishes this particular copy is the original Random House presentation label mounted inside the front cover.
The label reads:
“This Copy of Franklin Evans is Presented to [blank] by Random House New York on the Occasion of the Get-Together in Honor of Collected Books April Twenty-Sixth MDCCCCXXXII.”
The Roman numeral date translates to April 26, 1932.
The event itself has been independently documented in the surviving Pynson Printers/Colophon archives at Princeton University. Archival material includes invitations, RSVP and entry cards for the “Get-Together” honoring collected books, together with material referring specifically to April 26.
The recipient line on this Random House presentation label was never filled in.
BOOK DETAILS
Author: Walt Whitman, published here as Walter Whitman
Title: Franklin Evans; or, The Inebriate: A Tale of the Times
Introduction: Emory Holloway
Publisher: Random House, New York
Date: 1929
Printer: D. B. Updike, Merrymount Press, Boston
Edition: Limited edition of 700 copies
Pagination: xxiv, 249, [3] pages
Special Feature: Random House April 26, 1932 publisher presentation label
Originally published in 1842, Franklin Evans was Whitman's first book-length work and his only novel. Written as a temperance novel years before Leaves of Grass, it represents a distinctly different period in the career of one of America's most important literary figures.
CONDITION
Complete.
Original dark blue marble-patterned binding with printed paper spine label. The binding shows considerable age-related darkening, rubbing and surface wear, particularly along the spine and extremities. There is wear at the head of the spine and general shelf and handling wear.
The paper spine label remains present with toning and wear.
Interior shows normal age toning and occasional spotting. The important 1932 Random House presentation label remains present and clearly legible.
No dust jacket present.
Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition. Sold exactly as photographed.
An interesting copy for collectors of Walt Whitman, Random House history, American literature, private press printing, Merrymount Press, The Colophon and American book-collecting history.