A handsome first edition 2-volume set of the "Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant" (New York: Charles L. Webster & Company, 1885, 1886). The two volumes are bound in dark green cloth, with elegant, presidential gilt seals on the front and back covers, and gilt embossed spines. Each volume is illustrated by a portrait frontispiece, complete with original tissue guards; numerous maps; and two fold-out facsimile documents, Vol. 1's copy of General Buckner's dispatch, and Vol 2's copy of Lee's surrender. 1231pp combined (584pp in Vol. 1, 647pp including Index in Vol. 2.) Stacked, the books measure approximately 6.5" x 9.5" x 3.875."

The volumes were signed and inscribed as, "Nathaniel S. Field / compliments of / A.K. Hawks / Dec. 25/88" on the loose front endpapers of each volume. Each volume bears a bookplate from the "Library, Lake Superior State College, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan" on the front pastedown endpaper. A library call number was added to Vol. 1's spine, and there are scattered library notations. The title pages and text blocks are stamped "Discard." The floral paper pastedowns may be contemporaneous replacements. Expected surface wear is consistent with age, including minor corner and edge rubbing, scuffs, and stains, but the binding is mostly firm. Even toning, the inner pages are mostly clean and crisp. Else in remarkably good condition, and very attractive.

Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) served as the 18th U.S. President between 1869-1877. Grant had served as one of the most capable military strategists and commanders of the Civil War, responsible for delivering the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi, as well as accepting the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox. Memorable events from Grant's decades of military service were recounted in the posthumously published "Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant." The memoirs proved extremely popular. Book sales provided Grant's widow, Julia Dent Grant, with a substantial nest egg of $450,000 in the mid-1880s.

Grant's personal finances had been severely strained towards the end of his life, despite his outstanding military service record and the popular role he had performed in public life. To help ease the burden, Grant's friend Mark Twain offered him an advance of $25,000 to complete his memoirs, and also provided him with remarkably generous 70% royalty terms. Grant worked feverishly on the memoirs during the remaining months of his life (he had been diagnosed with throat cancer in October 1884.)

First edition Grant's memoirs are a great investment, both in terms of historical and rare book collecting interest. Grant's memoirs remain one the most important primary sources about the Civil War. In addition, Grant's memoirs were the first published in the so-called "Shoulder Strap" series, a collection of military reminiscences co-published by Mark Twain and Charles L. Webster. "Shoulder Strap" is derived from the decorative element found on each volume's spine--a row of stars resembling those found on an officer's shoulder strap.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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