PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF U. S. GRANT


Published by Charles L. Webster & Company, New York.  Both volumes copyright 1885--titlepage dates are 1885 for volume one and 1886 for volume two--as called for with first edition copies. Volume Two includes the appendix, index and errata (on last page) for volume one.


I have been designing and carving leather illustrations since the 1970s. I consider myself mostly self-taught, but acknowledge the help and inspiration of many creative and talented persons.  My formal education in this area has included various classes in book-binding and book conservation from the Book-Arts Department at the University of Utah.

I have been rebinding and selling rare books for many years and have done many carved leather bindings, but most have gone to friends and relatives until recently.  I have numerous emails from purchasers of my rebound and conserved books. 

Arthur Boutiette, author of Leather Bound Books (Collector Books, 2006) purchased my carved leather binding, first edition set of Ulysses Grants Memoirs and had this to say, “Terry...I got the books and just wanted to say that I thought you did a terrific job on them......you for sure could do well doing this...when you are ready let me know, I can set you up with some great book dealers...In the meantime please send me your direct email so I can keep it on file...mine is xxxxx...hope to hear from you....thanks....Arthur Boutiette”

DESCRIPTION:

  584 and 647 pages

9 3/8 x 6 3/8 inches

slipcase is 4 3/4 x 10 x 6 3/4

first edition hardcover

 

CONDITION:

These hard-cover books are in fine condition with a custom double slip-case.  This is a married set—that is they were not initially sold together.  The books have been rebound in full cowhide that has been carved and colored with leather dyes and acrylic paint.  The interiors are completely original, (with the exception of the endpapers which are facsimiles of the originals) with all pages, maps, fold-outs and illustrations present.  The paper is a little tanned with age as is usual.

The interior of volume one is very clean except for an inked owner name and date (1922) on the back of the frontispiece.

Volume two is clean except for five places where old newsprint was laid into the book and the acid content offset into the pages.  I have included pictures of these areas—PP. 160-1, 318-19, 328-9, 426-7, 432-3.  The yellow paper fold-out surrender letter to Lee, which is very fragile and often missing, is intact, but does have a tear in the bottom edge.

Overall the interiors are excellent—even the frontispieces and title page which are often found heavily foxed.  Both books are capable of being read with proper care as with all books over 100 years old.

The sllipcase is hand-made for this set of books and is covered in navy blue leather.

Mark Twain's opinion:

"I had been comparing the memoirs with Caesar's Commentaries... I was able to say in all Apologetic forms that the same high merits distinguished both books - clarity of statement, directness, simplicity, manifest truthfulness, fairness and justice toward friend and foe alike and avoidance of flowery speech. General Grant was just a man, just a human being, just an author...The fact remains and cannot be dislodged that General Grant's book is a great, unique and unapproachable literary masterpiece. There is no higher literature than these modest, simple Memoirs. Their style is at least flawless, and no man can improve upon it."

BECAUSE MEDIA RATE SHIPPING IS FREE ON THE BOOKS I SELL, COMBINE THIS WITH OTHER ITEMS FROM MY EBAY STORE.  

I AM AN EXPERIENCED EBAY SELLER (23+ YEARS) AND SHIPPER WITH 100% (always!--since 1997!) FEEDBACK RATING.

ALL ITEMS ARE CAREFULLY AND SECURELY PACKED TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE DANGER OF CRUSHING AND OR WATER/MOISTURE DAMAGE. ALL BOOKS ARE SHIPPED IN STURDY BOXES WITH TRACKING AND DELIVERY CONFIRMATION INCLUDED.

I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE ALL OF THE BOOKS, AUTOGRAPHS AND SIGNATURES ON BOOKS I SELL.