Introduction to the London edition [of Leaves of Grass] : autograph manuscript, [1868-1881].

On page 11 of the Introduction, Whitman writes "The Poet is now in his 49th year..." which would date the writing to 1868; his age is crossed it out and "53'd" written above it (1872); finally, the 53 is crossed out and Whitman writes "62'd" (1881); in the text accompanying the reproduction of two pages of the autograph manuscript, the authors note that Whitman tried to have this Introduction published in the 1868 London edition of Leaves of Grass, but the publisher used the Preface to the 1855 edition; Whitman tried again on two later publications of English editions but with no success; the authors also note that although Whitman wrote this Introduction, he tried to attribute it to his friend William D. O'Connor.
On the first page, the word "Copy" is written across the upper left hand corner in blue pencil, apparently in Whitman's hand.
Written in brown ink, with occasional revisions in pencil and notes in red and blue pencil, including instructions to a printer (e.g., "a blank line here.").
There is a round ink-stain over the title.