Carl Sandburg TLS mentioning his "Lincoln Library"

1pp TLS signed by American poet Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) as “Carl Sandburg” on “Carl Sandburg, Harbert, Michigan” letterhead. In near fine condition with expected light paper folds. The cream watermarked stationery page measures 5.375" x 8.375".

On March 22, 1940, Carl Sandburg wrote to New York lawyer and writer Harold Roland Shapiro: "You are thoughtful to send me your fine tribute to Emanuel Hertz. I appreciate having it and it goes among the keepsakes of my Lincoln library."

Over his long and distinguished literary career, Carl Sandburg wrote poetry, biographies, children’s books, and essays exploring the American -- and specifically the midwestern -- experience. He published five works relating to Illinois native son Abraham Lincoln: Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years (1926); Abe Lincoln Grows Up (1928); Mary Lincoln: Wife and Widow (1932); Abraham Lincoln: The War Years (1939), and Lincoln Collector: The Story of Oliver R. Barrett Lincoln Collection (1949). Around the time he wrote this letter, Sandburg won the second of three Pulitzer Prizes for the second part of his Abraham Lincoln biography.

Emanuel Hertz (1870-1940) had gained prestige as a Lincoln historian with his Abraham Lincoln: A New Portrait (1931), Abraham Lincoln: The Tribute of the Synagogue (1936), and The Hidden Lincoln from the Letters and Papers of William H. Herndon (1938). The New York lawyer had collected roughly 4,000 previously unknown items of Lincolniana while researching his books, later donating much of his collection to the Library of Congress.

Sandburg's correspondent Harold Roland Shapiro (active 1930-1970) praised his deceased friend Hertz in his 1941 work Lincoln Historian: Tribute to Work of the late Emanuel Hertz. Shapiro's scholarly interests were diverse: he also published monographs on topics ranging from labor law to twentieth-century warfare. Shapiro also contributed to the New York Times and wrote book reviews.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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