NY, American News Company, 1867. Burroughs' first book, a biography and critical work on his friend, the poet Walt Whitman, with unacknowledged revisions by Whitman himself. This is the first issue (pages trimmed to 6 9/16"), and is inscribed by Burroughs to his friend Myron Benton in what we believe to be the month of publication: "To Myron Benton with regards of John Burroughs, June 7, 1867." Burroughs and Benton were close friends for four decades: it was on a "nutting excursion" with Benton in 1861 where Burroughs first encountered Leaves of Grass, which Benton had brought on the trip with him, and read to Burroughs when they stopped for a rest. In this copy, the initials "MBB" have been penciled in at the relevant passage describing the day. According to Clara Barrus' book Whitman and Burroughs: Comrades, Burroughs sent Benton early proofs of a part of this book for his approval in February, 1867, when he was still looking for a publisher. By July, reviews of the published book were appearing in the press. Bookplate of Benton's brother, Charles, on the front pastedown. Bit of a spine slant, partial cup ring rear cover, foxing to endpages; still easily a very good copy. Included here is a copy of the first edition of the Barrus biography [Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1931], which is foxed in the prelims but otherwise near fine, in a much-chipped (but scarce) dust jacket. Notes on Walt Whitman is a very scarce book in this first issue, which Burroughs was reported as saying comprised only a few copies. In addition, this is perhaps the best association copy that has come on the market: inscribed by Burroughs to a lifelong friend, one who excited his interest in Whitman's writing, after which the two of them -- Burroughs and Whitman -- also became lifelong friends. Auction records show only two other inscribed copies in over 50 years: one inscribed in 1903 and one with a worn binding and the front endpaper removed. The records do not specify whether these were of the first issue. A landmark first book by the writer whose name adorns the John Burroughs Medal, given out annually since 1926 for an exceptional work of natural history, who began his own writing career with a book about, and apparently co-authored by, the most highly regarded American poet of all time. [#033369] SOLD