1885-86 Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant — Two volumes

Updated May 31: This has been sold.

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Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, published by Charles L. Webster in New York. 1885-86. First Edition, often mentioned as one of the finest American works of nonfiction. Written from his sick bed the last year of his life. Illustrated with steel-engraved frontispiece portrait in each volume with tissue-guards plus several maps and wood engravings throughout. Original quarter morocco, over cloth boards ruled in gilt, covers and spines stamped in gilt, raised bands; all edges marbled.

Historical background on the book

President Grant, dying of throat and tongue cancer, wrote his memoirs to save his wife from poverty after losing his life savings due to an unscrupulous business partner. Mark Twain approached Grant, encouraged him to write his memoirs, and served as the publisher. Grant completed them in less than a year, finishing on July 16. He passed away seven days later. His funeral in New York City was attended by an estimated 1,500,000 people. The column of mourners who accompanied his body was seven miles long. 

Before he passed away he learned that, based on the advance sales of 100,000 copies, his wife would be taken care of. Julia ultimately collected the equivalent of $12 million dollars due to her husband’s extraordinary efforts at the end of his life. Many consider his to be the finest presidential memoir ever written.

Two volumes:

• Volume 1: 584pp
• Volume 2: 647pp
  

Size: 9" x 6"