New York: Charles L. Webster & Company, 1885-1886. First printings. Black & White Engraved Plates, Maps, Facsimiles. Cloth 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.

Well illustrated, including maps, portraits, fold-out facsimile documents, etc., including the terms of Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Errata for volume I printed at end of volume II.

Ref. DORNBUSCH, Vol. II, 1986; EICHER 492; MULLINS, UNION BOOKSHELF 35; NEVINS, Vol. II, p. 59.

Bound in dark green cloth over boards with spines and upper boards titled in gilt, black and gilt four star shoulder board ornaments to spines, gilt medallions to upper and lower boards, decorative endpapers. Some shallow bumps to spine ends, a bit of mottling to cloth on volume II, and an expert repair to inner hinge of front endpaper in volume I. Mild foxing to frontispiece in volume II. Hinges sound in both volumes. Very good to near fine set overall. A better than usual set of this important military memoir.

Item #1718

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