“ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE WRITINGS BY A MILITARY COMMANDER IN HISTORY"

GRANT, Ulysses S. Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant. New York: Charles L. Webster, 1885-86. Two volumes. Octavo, original deluxe full brown morocco, raised bands, patterned endpapers, all edges gilt. $7500.

First edition of “one of the most valuable writings by a military commander in history,” illustrated with numerous steel engravings, facsimiles and 43 maps, in handsome publisher’s deluxe full morocco binding.

After an ineffectual term as president, ruined by bankruptcy and dying of throat cancer, Grant agreed to publish his memoirs to provide a measure of economic security for his family. Mark Twain agreed to serve as the publisher. Struggling to dictate his notes to a stenographer, Grant finished his memoirs shortly before his death in the summer of 1885. "It seemed to Twain, sitting quietly near him in his bedroom at Sixtieth Street, that Grant had fully regained the stature of a hero" (Kaplan, 273). "No Union list of personal narratives could possibly begin without the story of the victorious general. A truly remarkable work" (New York Times). "Grant's memoirs comprise one of the most valuable writings by a military commander in history" (Eicher 492). Dornbusch II:1986. Mullins & Reed 35. Bookplates of Warren Olney, one of the founders, along with John Muir, of the Sierra Club in the late 19th century.

A fine copy.