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It should be in a US museum
143 years ago this week General Robert E Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant bringing the American Civil War to an end. He had only graduated from West Point 21st in a class of 39 but Ulysses S. Grant went on to become the 18th American President. He had reached National prominence by taking Forts Henry and Donelson in 1862. These were the first Union victories of the war. He had overseen the surrender of 12,000 Confederates commanded by Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner... ironically one of his ex-classmates at West Point. The following year saw the surrender of Vicksburg which saw the Union control the mighty Mississippi. And on 9th April 1865, 143 years ago this week, Grant accepted the surrender of his Confederate opponent Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House near Lynchburg, Virginia. You can imagine that any items of memorabilia, any signed documents, autographs relating to Ulysses S Grant are rare. However... we've managed to obtain one, just one. It's a very famous image. The photo is taken by the famous civil war photographer Matthew Brady. Brady later went on to tell a story about the sitting in his studio. We'll share that with you later... Grant was a colossus of his time. Described as the "Greatest general of his age and one of the greatest of any age" As a 32 year old civilian Grant had struggled through lean years. He laboured on the family farm. He owned one slave who he set free in 1859. It was his ties to Abraham Lincoln that made him. Grant reported for duty after Lincoln’s call for 75,000 volunteers following the Confederates attack on Fort Sumter. He was soon appointed Brigadier General of volunteers by Lincoln. Despite Grant's victories he was later relieved of field command but this was restored after personal intervention by Lincoln. Grant had long been suspected of being an alcoholic by his critics. Lincoln had a simple reply: "I wish some of you would tell me the brand of whiskey that Grant drinks. I would like to send a barrel of it to my other generals" His willingness to fight and ability to win impressed Lincoln to the extent that he made Grant Lieutenant General in the regular army – a rank not awarded since George Washington. Ulysses S. Grant signed photo It's at this period in his life that Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant posed for a photo in his military uniform. The photo was taken by photographer Matthew Brady with his credit at the lower edge of the card. Grant has signed the photo: "U.S Grant, Lt. Gen. U.S.A." The signature is neat and bold. The item is in superb condition. You can view it on this link: And this is the story surrounding the photo shoot... After Abraham Lincoln promoted him to Lieutenant General in 1864 Grant agreed to sit down for photographer Matthew Brady in his full Military Uniform. The sun had begun to set by the time Grant arrived at the studio. Brady instructed one of his assistants to open the shades in the skylights. He slipped. Two-inch thick shards of glass from the shattered skylight rained down around Grant who had taken his seat as requested. He didn't flinch. Brady later described it as the most remarkable display of nerve that he had ever seen. They went on to take the photo we hold in stock today. Signed by Ulysses S. Grant, this is a major piece of American Military History. As president himself Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill that created Yellowstone National Park. He also passed the law that made Christmas day a holiday in 1870. He was the first US President to serve two full terms since Andrew Jackson 40 years before him. He was a pallbearer at Abraham Lincoln's funeral. In later life Grant was asked to write his memoirs by Mark Twain. Grant would be paid 75% of the Royalties. In those days Ex Presidents didn’t receive a pension. A terminally ill Grant finished his memoirs a few days before his death. They sold over 300,000 copies earning his family over $450,000. Twain promoted them as "the most remarkable work of its kind since the commentaries of Julius Caesar". Ironically Presidential experts rank Grant in the lowest quartile of past US Presidents. But that's changing... Grant's memoirs are regarded as amongst the finest ever written. In recent years his reputation has improved amongst scholars who recognize his efforts for Civil Rights for African Americans. Few things survive 140 odd years. This photo has. Previous owners have recognized its importance. To find a signed photo of one of America's military heroes in this condition is a one off opportunity. And it's a photo with a well documented history, too. Call today.
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