Details
SANDBURG, CARL. Autograph manuscript signed of his most famous poem "Chicago." 2 pages, 4to, about 185 words, in black ink on two white sheets of fine quality paper, a fair copy signed by the poet at end: "Carl Sandburg Chicago Illinois U.S.A. 1913 A.D.'; in cloth slipcase. In fine condition.
"Chicago" was first published in book form in Chicago Poems (1916); 1913 was its year of composition. According to a letter laid in from John Fleming, dated 15 November 1978: "I was informed by Ralph Newman of Chicago that there is only one other copy known of the Sandburg manuscript of 'Chicago'...Your copy was made by...Sandburg for the auction for the benefit of the Poetry Society of Chicago, in 1959. He, Newman, purchased it for $1,500.00 for Philip Sang, whose sale was held yesterday." The poem begins:
"Hog Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler:
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders:..."
And ends:
"...Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog-Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and Freight-Handler to the Nation."
Provenance (see also above): Elsie O. and Philip D. Sang Foundation (sale, Part II, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 14 November 1978, lot 547).
"Chicago" was first published in book form in Chicago Poems (1916); 1913 was its year of composition. According to a letter laid in from John Fleming, dated 15 November 1978: "I was informed by Ralph Newman of Chicago that there is only one other copy known of the Sandburg manuscript of 'Chicago'...Your copy was made by...Sandburg for the auction for the benefit of the Poetry Society of Chicago, in 1959. He, Newman, purchased it for $1,500.00 for Philip Sang, whose sale was held yesterday." The poem begins:
"Hog Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler:
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders:..."
And ends:
"...Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog-Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and Freight-Handler to the Nation."
Provenance (see also above): Elsie O. and Philip D. Sang Foundation (sale, Part II, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 14 November 1978, lot 547).