W is for Whitman. When Walt Whitman self-published his
Leaves of Grass in July 1855, he altered the course of
literary history. One of the greatest masterpieces of American
literature, it redefined the rules of poetry while describing the
soul of the American character.
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was an American poet, essayist and journalist. Although controversial upon publication, Whitman's great work, Leaves of Grass, is considered one of the most influential works in the American canon. Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was born on Long Island and educated in Brooklyn, New York. He served as a printer's devil, journeyman compositor, itinerant schoolteacher, editor, and unofficial nurse to Northern and Southern soldiers.
Winner of the 2012 Fifty Books/Fifty Covers show, organized by
Design Observer in association with AIGA and Designers & Books
Winner of the 2014 Type Directors Club Communication Design
Award
Praise for Leaves of Grass:
"I am not blind to the worth of the wonderful gift of Leaves of
Grass. I find it the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom
that America has yet contributed. . . . I rubbed my eyes a little
to see if this sunbeam were no illustion; but the solid sense of
the book is a sober certainty."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Praise for Penguin Drop Caps:
"[Penguin Drop Caps] convey a sense of nostalgia for the tactility
and aesthetic power of a physical book and for a centuries-old
tradition of beautiful lettering."
-Fast Company
"Vibrant, minimalist new typographic covers.... Bonus points for
the heartening gender balance of the initial selections."
-Maria Popova, Brain Pickings
"The Penguin Drop Caps series is a great example of the power of
design. Why buy these particular classics when there are less
expensive, even free editions of Great Expectations? Because
they're beautiful objects. Paul Buckley and Jessica Hische's fresh
approach to the literary classics reduces the design down to
typography and color. Each cover is foil-stamped with a cleverly
illustrated letterform that reveals an element of the story. Jane
Austen's A (Pride and Prejudice) is formed by opulent
peacock feathers and Charlotte Bronte's B (Jane Eyre) is
surrounded by flames. The complete set forms a rainbow spectrum
prettier than anything else on your bookshelf."
-Rex Bonomelli, The New York Times
"Drool-inducing."
-Flavorwire
"Classic reads in stunning covers-your book club will be
dying."
-Redbook
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