48 BAUMAN RARE BOOKS “A Classic Civil War Autobiography” 62GRANT, Ulysses S. Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant. New York, 1885-86. Two volumes. Octavo, original deluxe three-quarter brown morocco gilt. $3500 First edition of “one of the most valuable writings by a military commander in history,” illustrated with numerous steel engravings, facsimiles, and 43 maps, a handsome copy in publisher’s deluxe 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). Two pressed flowers laid into volume I. Bindings slightly rubbed. A handsome, near-fine set. Scarce Ship’s Papers Boldly Signed By Ulysses S. Grant As President, 1871 61GRANT, Ulysses S. Document signed [ship’s papers]. New Bedford, MA, September 26, 1871. Broadside, printed, engrossed and signed on the recto. $4500 Ship’s papers granting permission to Charles S. Holt, commander of the ship “Hunter,” to depart from the port of New Bedford “laden with Provisions, and stores for a whaling voyage,” boldly signed by President Grant and Secretary of State Hamilton Fish. Because ships leaving U.S. ports needed ship identification papers before a voyage, documents such as this one were signed by the President and Secretary of State ahead of time and forwarded to the port. The Collector of the Port would then fill in the required information and the date. This document was signed in Washington, DC prior to the September 26, 1871 departure date, but was issued from New Bedford on that date. Document printed in four columns on the recto of this folio leaf, completed in manuscript, with text in English, French, Spanish and Dutch. Some minor expert paper repairs and restorations, chiefly to the verso, and not affecting any signatures. Grant’s and Fish’s signatures clear and bold. An excellent and scarce signed document.
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