Overcoat

Carl Sandburg wore this overcoat on his 1959 trip to Russia. The coat has synthetic fur on the outside and wool lining on the inside. "Sandburg made his third and final trip abroad in 1959 when he and [brother-in-law, Edward] Steichen set off on a landmark journey to open the 'Family of Man' photographic exhibition in the Soviet Union, part of the American National Exhibition sponsored by the State Department and the United States Information Agency. This cultural exchange would bring millions of Soviet citizens to look at the latest American technology, art and lifestyles... Millions came to see the 'Family of Man' exhibit, officially opened by Steichen and Sandburg, Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Kruschev." Steichen and Sandburg left Moscow and traveled to Sweden where Sandburg visited his mother's birthplace and met some of his family members who lived in the area. During this trip, Swedish king Gustav VI Adolf awarded Sandburg a gold medal. (page 683-684, Niven)