Carl Sandburg and Lincoln

[Rob Wick]

That's true Bill.

Sandburg had approached Alfred Harcourt in 1922 wanting to write a children's book on Lincoln, and Harcourt gave his approval. After a while, however, Sandburg realized that the book would be much bigger than he anticipated and not a children's book.

In 1928, Harcourt took the first 27 chapters of The Prairie Years, did some editing, and turned that into Abe Lincoln Grows Up, which was, indeed, a children's book.

Best
Rob

[LincolnMan]

Is the wording of Abe Lincoln Grows Up basically the same as in The Prairie Years?

[Rob Wick]

Bill,

I don't have Abe Lincoln Grows Up, but I looked it up on Google Books and found the first few paragraphs were word for word. I stopped buying Sandburg books a while back, but have a few more to get once I replenish the funds.

Best
Rob

[LincolnMan]

Thanks Rob for taking time to answer all the questions. Its a great service to this Forum!

[Rob Wick]

Glad to do it Bill.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

I have a paperback copy of that book and certainly would recommend it for younger readers. It is illustrated by James Daugherty. Here's a sketch of Sandburg done by Daugherty:

[LincolnMan]

Nice! Thanks Roger.

[LincolnMan]

Rob: Sandburg predicted he would die at a number divisible by 11. More Sandburg humor? I know this is a bit off topic. He died at age 89, correct? Did it come true? What's the story behind this?

[Rob Wick]

Bill,

In an article by the Associated Press in 1958 when he turned 80, Sandburg was quoted as saying that he would "live to be 88, and maybe even 89." He added "It's inevitable, it's inexorable, it's written in the book of fate that I die at an age divisible by 11."

The paper added "Two of his great-grandfathers and one of his grandfathers died at ages divisible by that number, he said, and he asserted that it is fate he follows suit."

Later he said "I'll probably die propped up in bed trying to write a poem about America. Or, about a man who prayed to God that he live to an age divisible by 11."

I think it was simply Sandburg being Sandburg. By this point he was, as I've stated earlier, almost a brand name instead of a human being. He was simply giving the people what he thought they wanted.

Penny Niven, in her biography, wrote that Sandburg had outlined what he wanted in a funeral in 1920 in his poem "Finish" which appeared in Smoke and Steel.

Death comes once, let it be easy.
Ring one bell for me once, but let it go at that.
Or ring no bell at all, better yet.

Sing one song if I die.
Sing John Brown's Body or Shoot All Over God's Heaven.

Death comes once, let it be easy.

Not a bad idea, if you ask me.

Best
Rob

[LincolnMan]

Yes, well said...

[Dan Pearson]

I enjoy participating in eBay auctions, and spend what my wife tells me is far too much time browsing the listings. One curious item I found long ago is related to Carl Sandburg and Ralph Newman, the founder of Chicago's Abraham Lincoln Book Shop. Sandburg and Newman were fast friends, and I can picture the author making this little piece of art over a drink and cigars. I will refrain from commenting on the asking price save for saying that it's been listed on eBay, with no takers, for many months. Below is the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390312282262?ssP...364wt_1165

[LincolnMan]

Rob: any history that you are aware of with the inkblot that Dan provided a link to on Ebay? I can't imagine why the price on it would be so elevated. Very interesting, Dan!

[Rob Wick]

Bill,

I'm at work now, and they've got the computer's blocking software set so high that I can't access it. As soon as I can take a look at it I'll see what I can find out.

Best
Rob

[LincolnMan]

Rob: at work? What are you doing-trying to earn a living or something?

[Rob Wick]

Ha! Not where I work.

I've got to pay for all those Sandburg books somehow...oh, and also provide food for my wife and dog once or twice a month.

Best
Rob