Crawford’s Imaginative Book Gives Whitman’s Masterpiece a New Landscape



Whitman Illuminated: Song of Myself designed by Allen Crawford; combines Walt Whitman’s acclaimed “Song of Myself” with Crawford’s inventive illustrations and hand drawn lettering. It’s quite impressive, so much so that design superhero Milton Glaser sent Crawford a note of congratulations. Likely, more meaningful to Crawford than any award or article. Each 117 spread is a work of art in itself. There’s a small book tour scheduled for the east coast starting in Philly. I hope they make adjustments to come to Seattle (the 2nd most literate city in the U.S)!

Here’s what publisher Tin House has to say:

The handwritten text and illustrations intermingle in a way that’s both surprising and wholly in tune with the spirit of the poem—they’re exuberant, rough, and wild. Whitman Illuminated: Song of Myself is a sensational reading experience, an artifact in its own right, and a masterful tribute to the Good Gray Poet.

Book Cover Design
a frog surrounded by hand drawn letters.
Handlettering and a drawing of a baby
drawing of a caterpillar cacoon
drawing of a boys feet and long shadows.
sample interior spread, full of hand lettering and drawing of an octopus arm

Via Behance