One of my more interesting possessions is this original Carl Sandburg letter expressing indignation at reportedly playing a banjo at his "song offering," "recitals," where in actuality he plays a guitar. He goes to great lengths explaining the difference between a banjo and a guitar. The letter is typed, along with written comments on the bottom by Sandburg to his publicist.
Carl Sandburg's home in NC is a beautiful setting and a National Park Service site. Worth visiting if you were in the area. One of his guitars--the bell shaped one--was on display last time I visited 15 years or so ago. His wife breed goats. The photograph of her prize milk goat displayed in the house is worth the time and effort of visiting the home. My grandparents lived next to them at their other home in Chicago. My grandmother, who was prone to envy, often remarked when the subject of her famous neighbors came up that "At least I don't have a goat in my kitchen." Not sure why there was a goat in the kitchen, but worth a chuckle.
Legend has it that a young Bob Dylan showed up at Sandburg's House at 2 a.m., after spending much of the night drinking up the courage to ask Sandburg what he thought of his songs? Sandburg's response, "Not much." This event supposedly had a deep effect on Dylan.
Rumor has it he was not a person to get on the wrong side of…it was said he worshipped a hammer on some days. Seems that after this letter he may have used one on a banjo.
