Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant
New York: Charles L. Webster & Company, 1885-1886. First printings. Black & White Engraved Plates, Maps, Facsimiles. Half leather and marbled paper over boards. Octavos. 584 & 647 pages.
The greatest American military memoir, written by the financially ruined Grant in a race with death, and published with the savvy assistance of Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). Luckily for us (and his family's finances) Grant finished writing just 4 days before his death from throat cancer in July 1885. By February 1886 Twain was able to present Julia Grant with the largest publishing royalty in U. S. History to that time--$200,000.
Covers Grant's early life, military service in California, and his rise to Commander of all Union Armies in the Civil War. Twain did not write (or help write) Grant's book, as some have claimed, but he did see it as a literary masterpiece. Most subsequent critics concur.
Rebound with original red and black spine labels laid down on spines. Errata for volume I printed at end of volume II.
Ref. DORNBUSCH, Vol. II, #1986; EICHER #492; MULLINS, UNION BOOKSHELF #35; NEVINS, CWB Vol. II, p. 59.
Bound with leather spines and fore corners, all textblock edges marbled, new endpapers. Small chips to spine labels. Short tear at bottom center fold of facsimile of Lee's surrender terms in volume II. Fine overall.
Item #1251
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