First Edition of Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant. PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF U.S. GRANT. (2) volumes (complete). New York: Charles L. Webster & Company, 1885-1886. First edition. The deluxe binding with full tan sheep, gilt-lettered contrasting red and black spine labels, with all edges marbled, and marbled endpapers. 8vo; 584; 647pp. plus final errata. Each volume with half-title, portrait frontispiece with tissue guard; maps and illustrations throughout with folding facsimile letter in vol. I and tipped-in folding facsimile document in vol. II. Eicher 492.

Each 9 3/8 x 6 3/8 in.

Private North Carolina Collection

U.S. Grant wrote his memoirs at the very end of his life while he was battling throat cancer. Although famously supported by Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain), as David Eicher points out, the "work is genuinely that of the commander." Grant wrote about his life from the very beginning through the final year of the Civil War, leading to a comprehensive and popular publication. Long celebrated, his "memoirs comprise one of the most valuable writings by a military commander in history." (Eicher, p. 172).

Staining and light scuffing to boards, rubbing to extremities, some areas of typical peeling to sheep (heaviest at vol. II spine), vol. II spine with chipping at head, and joints cracked with areas of attempted repair; interior with light toning, general mild handling wear, rare spot of foxing, occasional grime, small stain, and offsetting from illustrations, and areas of hinge and gutter cracking/wear; vol. II with a small area of insect damage and facsimile document with several tears; overall clean and sturdy. About very good.