Condition: Pristine | Produced in limited numbers in 1998 and 1999* about 200 were made | Designed by Robert Simpich
One of the most elusive Simpich Character Dolls, Young Abraham Lincoln stands as the rarest of the Simpich American History Collection. In fact, this is the first of these rare pieces I have had the honor of rehoming. While the exact number of Young Lincoln’s produced is not known, Jan Simpich noted that roughly 200 were made.
The Simpich family has a long history of interest in this figure of American history — the intelligence, honor, and faith of the president who oversaw the bloody end of slavery in the United States. What drove the man born in a frontier cabin to achieve such great things? This piece imagines, based on quotes, a cool mid-morning when young Abraham set his axe down to read. Rendered in remarkable detail, he reclines against a stack of logs, boots propped on a tree stump, absorbed in the small book cradled in his hands — a scene of quiet ambition captured in miniature. The inscription on the back of the cabin wall reads:
Young Abe often put his axe down to read. "Any man who finds me a book I ain't read is my friend." "Pilgrims Progress" and the Bible were his favorites. "Readin' the Bible will make you a better man." — A.L.
One of the things that makes this piece stand out is the interconnected nature of its design with other Simpich artists. David Simpich was inspired to create a show about Abraham Lincoln, but ultimately changed direction after discovering one of Lincoln's favorite books, Pilgrim's Progress, and created that production instead. Robert Simpich, inspired by his son David's work, chose to place Pilgrim's Progress directly in Young Lincoln's hands.
This piece stands out as something truly special.
*In Jan Simpich's records, she included a question mark next to the years of production. Unfortunately, I am not certain what she meant by this, but it is safe to assume her records and memory were inconclusive as to whether production continued into 2000 or not.
Condition: Pristine | Produced in limited numbers in 1998 and 1999* about 200 were made | Designed by Robert Simpich
One of the most elusive Simpich Character Dolls, Young Abraham Lincoln stands as the rarest of the Simpich American History Collection. In fact, this is the first of these rare pieces I have had the honor of rehoming. While the exact number of Young Lincoln’s produced is not known, Jan Simpich noted that roughly 200 were made.
The Simpich family has a long history of interest in this figure of American history — the intelligence, honor, and faith of the president who oversaw the bloody end of slavery in the United States. What drove the man born in a frontier cabin to achieve such great things? This piece imagines, based on quotes, a cool mid-morning when young Abraham set his axe down to read. Rendered in remarkable detail, he reclines against a stack of logs, boots propped on a tree stump, absorbed in the small book cradled in his hands — a scene of quiet ambition captured in miniature. The inscription on the back of the cabin wall reads:
Young Abe often put his axe down to read. "Any man who finds me a book I ain't read is my friend." "Pilgrims Progress" and the Bible were his favorites. "Readin' the Bible will make you a better man." — A.L.
One of the things that makes this piece stand out is the interconnected nature of its design with other Simpich artists. David Simpich was inspired to create a show about Abraham Lincoln, but ultimately changed direction after discovering one of Lincoln's favorite books, Pilgrim's Progress, and created that production instead. Robert Simpich, inspired by his son David's work, chose to place Pilgrim's Progress directly in Young Lincoln's hands.
This piece stands out as something truly special.
*In Jan Simpich's records, she included a question mark next to the years of production. Unfortunately, I am not certain what she meant by this, but it is safe to assume her records and memory were inconclusive as to whether production continued into 2000 or not.
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