In August 2022, Britannic Auctions sold a first edition set of The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant for $620. This two-volume work, published in 1885-1886 by Charles L. Webster & Company, offers a clear view of one of America’s most celebrated military leaders and presidents. The set included its original dark green cloth gilt binding, a portrait frontispiece, a folding facsimile letter, maps, and wood engravings.
Grant’s memoirs were published just after his death, thanks to Mark Twain, who saw the importance of Grant’s story. Twain’s innovative marketing strategy helped ensure the memoirs’ success. Civil War veterans sold the books door-to-door, creating a very personal connection with buyers. The campaign resonated with a nation mourning Grant’s passing. About 350,000 sets were sold, making the memoirs a major bestseller of the 19th century.
A Look Inside the First Edition of Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant
Grant’s memoirs are often praised as one of the finest American works of nonfiction. Written in the last year of his life, while battling throat cancer and financial hardship, the two-volume set was completed just days before his death on July 23, 1885. The memoirs were published shortly thereafter.
Each volume includes steel-engraved frontispiece portraits with tissue guards, folding facsimiles, maps, and wood engravings. Volume I contains a folding facsimile letter, while Volume II features a tipped-in facsimile document. This document is often missing from copies on the market. The original bindings, in gilt-stamped green cloth or the optional upgrade to leather, show off the bookbinding techniques of the time.
A facsimile signature appears beneath Ulysses S. Grant’s portrait in the first volume. The printed signature below Grant’s portrait often confuses people who believe it to be genuine. Many people mistake it for a genuine signature, but signed copies of Grant's memoirs don’t exist because they were published after his death.
Examples of Sales and Auction Values
First editions of The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant are highly collectible, but their values can vary widely. When first published, The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant cost between $3.50 and $12, depending on the binding. Buyers could choose between the standard green cloth binding and a more luxurious leather-bound edition. Today, leather editions in fine condition often command the highest prices, sometimes nearing $2,000. These examples attract collectors for their relative scarcity and beautiful craftsmanship.
On the other hand, single volumes in poor condition, especially in the standard green cloth, might sell for as little as $10. Many single volumes are available because people often lose one of the two, which dramatically reduces the set’s value. However, single volumes still sell, often to collectors seeking to complete their own sets.
Some auction results show the wide array of prices the books can bring:
- PBA Galleries (2024): Complete two-volume first edition sold for $237.
- Fleischer’s Auctions (2024): Complete two-volume first edition sold for $738.
- Britannic Auctions (2022): First edition, two-volume set in original cloth binding, sold for $620.
- Bonhams (2018): Leather-bound first edition set in very good condition sold for $1,250.
- Battered Single Volumes: Worn single volumes of the original green cloth binding have sold for as little as $10.
Get a Free Valuation for a First Edition Book
The first edition Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant reflects America’s enduring interest in history and leadership. Whether you’re looking to bid on similar works or consign your own, Britannic Auctions provides expert valuations and a trusted consignment service. Join our mailing list for updates on upcoming auctions and opportunities.
