The Life of Abraham Lincoln. Drawn from Original Sources and Containing Many Speeches, Letters and Telegrams Hitherto Unpublished.

TARBELL, Ida. [Abraham Lincoln].

$1,250.00

Item Number: 131290

New York: The Doubleday & McClure Co., 1900.

First Special Illustrator’s edition of the work that earned Tarbell a national reputation as a major writer and the leading authority on Abraham Lincoln. Quarto, two volumes, half cloth over paper-covered boards, illustrated, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of Lincoln to each volume. One of only 75 numbered copies printed, this is number 51. In near fine condition. Rebacked. Housed in a custom slipcase. Rare.

Meant to compete against a Century Magazine series which had been written by Lincoln's private secretaries, John Nicolay and John Hay, Tarbell's 20-part series, The Life of Abraham Lincoln was a massive success and earned Tarbell a national reputation as a major writer and the leading authority on Abraham Lincoln. The popular series, based on Tarbell's own original research and interviews, helped boost McClure's circulation to over 250,000 which climbed to over 300,000 by 1900 and allowed McClure to buy a printing plant and a bindery. Tarbell went on to publish five books about Lincoln and traveled on the lecture circuit, recounting her discoveries to large audiences.