Grant, Ulysses S.

Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant [Grant's Memoirs]

New York: Charles L. Webster & Company, 1885 - 1886. First Edition. Hardcover. Two volumes (complete), octavo size, Volume I published in 1885 with 584 pp., Volume II published in 1886 with 647 pp. Near fine. Item #22041501

Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) is arguably one of the most important generals in U.S. history, at times referred to as "the man who saved the Union" for both his military leadership and his subsequent service as the 18th President of the United States. Some believe that Mark Twain assisted Grant in the final days of writing these memoirs shortly before his death in 1885, others say they are "pure Grant" and Twain only assisted in the publication. Either way, these memoirs are a critical part of understanding Ulysses S. Grant from the time of his earliest military service during the Mexican War, his subsequent military service including his time on the West Coast and in California, up through the end of the Civil War.

Mentioned in Mullins & Reed, 12, which states "Bruce Catton places Grant's Memoirs on the top of his list of Civil War classics...Ralph Newman states: 'No Union list of personal narratives could possibly begin without the story of the victorious general.' "

Sold by traveling salesmen who visited houses to take orders, there were four bindings available: this the most common (being the most affordable at the time) bound in green cloth, the other options were half-leather, full sheepskin, and full morocco.

___DESCRIPTION: Green cloth boards with facsimile in gilt of the gold medal awarded to Grant in 1863 (to celebrate his victories in the Vicksburg campaign, which gave the Union Army control over the entire Mississippi and split the Confederacy in two), gilt lettering on front and spine, general's four stars on black on the spine, decorated endpapers, two different frontispieces showing Grant in his youth and middle age both with facsimile signatures, several maps (some folding) and reproductions of documents throughout; octavo size (9 3/8" by 6 1/2"), Volume I published in 1885, 584 pages, Volume II published in 1886, 647 pages plus a listing of Errata from Volume I.

___CONDITION: The set near fine overall; the green cloth binding mostly clean with just a few light, stray spots, both text blocks strong and square with solid hinges, the interiors are clean and bright, the fold-outs all fine, and other than an extremely small number (likely a private library number) stamped on the FFEP in Volume I, free of prior owner markings; the front medallion on Vol. 1 slightly rubbed, the other three medallions bright and unrubbed; all four corners straight but with miniscule rubbing, the head and tail of both volumes with light bumping, both frontispieces with some foxing, and toning to pp.58-59 of Vol. 1 from an old newspaper clipping; even with its few faults, still a bright, solid, near fine set.

___CITATION: The Union Bookshelf 35.

___POSTAGE: Please note that the set is unusually heavy and additional postage will apply, please inquire for details.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.

Price: $700.00